{"id":2435,"date":"2020-04-17T17:16:15","date_gmt":"2020-04-17T07:16:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/metronorth.health.qld.gov.au\/extranet\/?p=2435"},"modified":"2020-04-24T11:13:48","modified_gmt":"2020-04-24T01:13:48","slug":"20200417","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/metronorth.health.qld.gov.au\/extranet\/covid-ce\/20200417","title":{"rendered":"17 April 2020"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\"Message<\/span><\/div>
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17 April 2020 \u2013 COVID-19 (coronavirus)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Dear Colleagues,<\/p>\n

This week we have seen a progressive decrease in the number of positive COVID-19 cases both in Metro North and Queensland showing our response efforts are indeed flattening the curve. While this is definitely something we can celebrate and be proud of, this is not the time to become complacent. We will continue to implement our pandemic plan, and where possible stay home and observe social distancing to continue flattening the curve.<\/p>\n

Elective Surgery update<\/strong><\/p>\n

In order to strike a balance between our COVID-19 preparedness and the needs of our patients, we are discussing options to reopen some theatres for limited urgent category two surgeries and category five procedures. This will provide relief to vulnerable patients and their families waiting for surgery.<\/p>\n

Communicating with you <\/strong><\/p>\n

We\u2019ve now been running our Vidcasts for three weeks and there is certainly no sign their popularity is slowing down. My commitment to you is to keep this communication tool running as long as there is demand. If you\u2019re unable to tune in to our live streams I encourage you to watch online on our Metro North COVID-19 page<\/a> at your convenience.<\/p>\n

This week\u2019s COVID-19 staff newsletter is also available online<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Here is the communications schedule for the next week:<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Friday April 17<\/td>\n\u2022 Vidcast with Shaun Drummond, Mel McCabe and Chief Wellbeing Officer Bruce Sullivan, 2-3pm
\n\u2022 Message from the CE Shaun Drummond
\n\u2022 COVID-19 newsletter
\n\u2022 Daily message from Metro North Health Incident Controller<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Saturday April 18<\/td>\n\u2022 Daily message from Metro North Health Incident Controller<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Sunday April 19<\/td>\n\u2022 Daily message from Metro North Health Incident Controller<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Monday April 20<\/td>\n\u2022 Vidcast with Shaun Drummond and Jackie Hanson, 2-3pm
\n\u2022 Message from the CE Shaun Drummond
\n\u2022 Daily message from Metro North Health Incident Controller<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Tuesday April 21<\/td>\n\u2022 Vidcast with Infectious Diseases Specialist Dr Alex Chaudhuri, 12-1pm
\n\u2022 Daily message from Metro North Health Incident Controller<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Wednesday April 22<\/td>\n\u2022 Vidcast with Infection Control CNC Catherine Watson and guest, 2-3pm
\n\u2022 Message from the ED Operations Jackie Hanson
\n\u2022 Daily message from Metro North Health Incident Controller<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Thursday April 23<\/td>\n\u2022 Vidcast with ED HR Sarah Bench and HR representative, 2:30- 3pm
\n\u2022 Daily message from Metro North Health Incident Controller<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Friday April 24<\/td>\n\u2022 Vidcast with Shaun Drummond, Jackie Hanson and Claire Sullivan, 2-3pm
\n\u2022 Message from the CE Shaun Drummond
\n\u2022 COVID-19 Newsletter
\n\u2022 Daily message from Metro North Health Incident Controller<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Saturday April 25
\nAnzac Day<\/em><\/td>\n		\u2022 Daily message from Metro North Health Incident Controller<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Sunday April 26<\/td>\n\u2022 Daily message from Metro North Health Incident Controller<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

It has been a sad week in our household. Our 14-year old beagle Buckley has a 9cm mass in his lungs and we have been coming to terms with his advanced care directive. Our pets are an important part of our family and Ned is devastated. We got Buckley and his sister Willow as puppies and they have been constant companions for us. Like most parents our son wanted a dog, but it quickly turned into Ned and I looking after them. I certainly will not miss the yard duty of scooping up after them.<\/p>\n

My fondest and most frustrating memory of them involved Ned\u2019s mother\u2019s 60th birthday. I had got up early as we had put both dogs down the side of the house to stop them bothering our guests for the outdoor party. To move them I had to lead them round the front of the house to put them into the backyard. Willow slipped her collar and bolted through the neighbour\u2019s garden and Buckley soon followed. This involved me chasing them down the road in my boxers through different neighbours\u2019 yards. I finally cornered Willow and got her collar back on and turned around to find one of neighbours doing tai chi in their garden. She promptly scolded me and told me to put some pants on. The moral of the story is when chasing your dogs, stop and take the time to put some pants on.<\/p>\n

If you can, please take some down time over the next few days to recharge your batteries, I encourage you all to be putting yourself and your families\u2019 wellbeing at front of mind as we work through this pandemic. If you haven\u2019t already, please look at our staff wellbeing extranet page<\/a> \u2013 there are some excellent resources available for staff.<\/p>\n

Have a great weekend all.<\/p>\n

Regards,<\/p>\n

Shaun<\/p>\n<\/div>

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<\/i><\/div> Download a PDF version<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>
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