![\"Metro](\"https:\/\/metronorth.health.qld.gov.au\/extranet\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2020\/04\/mn-health-incident-controller2.jpg\" "\\"Metro")
<\/span><\/div>Dear colleagues,<\/p>\n
Queensland has recorded one\u00a0more case of COVID-19\u00a0in the last\u00a024 hours, bringing our State\u2019s total of active cases to 31.\u00a0The new case is a returned traveller from overseas and is in hotel quarantine.\u00a0Today is the third consecutive day\u00a0without any community transmission \u2013 well done Queensland!<\/p>\n
Today\u2019s updates include:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Health Heroes Week<\/li>\n
- COVID-19\u00a0Swabbing Course<\/li>\n
- Self-care\u00a0September<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Health Heroes Week\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n
Yesterday Queensland Health announced\u00a0Health Heroes Week,\u00a0commencing 26 September 2020, to thank\u00a0you all for your efforts during the pandemic. Along with this\u00a0was\u00a0the announcement\u00a0of all staff\u00a0receiving two additional days of paid pandemic recognition leave. The leave can be\u00a0accessed\u00a0from\u00a01 November 2020 within a\u00a0two-year\u00a0period\u00a0and is:<\/p>\n
- \n
- to be granted to all Queensland Health staff except Health\u00a0Executive Service (HES)<\/li>\n
- to be granted to permanent and\u00a0temporary\u00a0(who have more than three months continuous service as at the eligibility date\u00a0of 10 September 2020) full time and part-time employees (prorated)<\/li>\n
- to be taken at a mutually convenient time and wherever possible where backfill is not required, for example low demand periods<\/li>\n
- to\u00a0be paid at ordinary hours.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Keep\u00a0up the good work everyone, it\u00a0has not gone\u00a0unnoticed!<\/p>\n
COVID-19 Swabbing Course<\/strong><\/p>\n
On behalf of our entire Clinical Skills Development Service team I am\u00a0excited\u00a0to announce that the COVID-19\u00a0swabbing course is now\u00a0live\u00a0on the Metro North TMS.<\/p>\n
The COVID-19 Swabbing Techniques online learning course\u202f\u00a0<\/a><\/u>provides learners with an understanding of the fundamental requirements\u202fwithin Metro North facilities and services when taking oropharyngeal and nasal swabs. The online package takes approximately 15 minutes to complete with learners awarded a certificate on successful completion of a short\u00a0comprehension activity.\u00a0This online learning course should be completed in combination with the\u00a0COVID-19 Personal Protective Equipment online learning course<\/a>.<\/p>\n
As the executive director of CSDS I want to note how proud I am of them for creating this\u00a0professional\u00a0product, and with such a quick turnaround as well! The content flows beautifully and is easy to read. Visually the whole look and feel of the course is seamless.<\/p>\n
Self-care\u00a0September<\/strong><\/p>\n
We are in our third week of Self-care September and after the difficult year we’ve\u202fexperienced,\u202fit is important to remember that Metro North has a range of programs in place to support you whilst you support others.\u202fThis week we are\u202fshining a spotlight on\u00a0our\u00a0Equity Information Officer (EIO) Network<\/a>. EIOs offer a safe environment for staff to express concerns on a range of equity related workforce issues in a confidential manner. You can find your local EIO\u202fcontact\u00a0here<\/a>.\u00a0Alternatively,\u00a0if becoming an EIO interests you, complete the\u00a0EI Officer nomination form<\/a>.<\/p>\n
In yesterday\u2019s\u00a0vidcast\u00a0Jackie and I were asked how we sustain our health and wellness.\u00a0The Butterworths have no canine companions,\u00a0unlike\u00a0other\u00a0incident controllers, so strategies include a fair bit of outdoor activity. Below is a screen shot of my regular cycle to work which I find helps me prepare and get in a positive mindset for my working day.\u00a0I find the transit along Kedron Brook particularly enjoyable.\u202fPlease note, it is extremely unlikely I will show you the timing of a home bound journey as it is significantly more arduous and embarrassingly longer due to some solid ascents into Stafford Heights!<\/p>\n
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<\/p>\nKind regards,
\nMark Butterworth
\nMetro North Incident Commander<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/metronorth.health.qld.gov.au\/extranet\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2020\/09\/strava.jpg\")
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