Meet our Satellite Hospital Facility Managers

When the third Metro North satellite hospital opens later this year, not only will patients be provided with quality care delivered much closer to home, the facilities themselves will also contribute to the overall quality experience.

The role of the Facility Managers is diverse, and largely involves making sure that the satellite hospitals are not only places that provide exceptional care, but are also places that are safe, secure, clean, well-stocked and well maintained.

In addition to this operational side of the role, there is also an administration function required to support clinicians to manage and deliver care such as rostering, recruitment and payroll support.

Bevan Marks has been the Facility Service Director of Caboolture and Kilcoy Hospitals and Woodford Health Service, the Metro North Health directorate that includes Caboolture and Bribie Island Satellite Hospitals. He continues to be inspired by the teams behind facility management.

“Taking over a brand-new building such as a satellite hospital, is an exciting opportunity for any Facility Manager. There’s a lot of leadership and problem management skills required in these roles and there are significant steps and processes that need to be developed and implemented to ensure aspects such as maintenance, security and overall facility operations run smoothly,” said Bevan.

“Facility Managers are responsible for ensuring that everything to do with the physical infrastructure of the building is running as it should, as well as helping to identify areas for greater efficiency and cost-saving.

“New buildings in particular can present challenges, and this requires the Facility Managers to operate with a level head and have good communication and planning skills.”

Caboolture Satellite Hospital Facility Manager Jess Barr began her career with Queensland Health in 2013 and says one of the most enjoyable parts of her job is maintaining the facility to a high standard and seeing the staff proud of their contributions in maintaining the standards.

“We’re in the position of being handed a brand-new building with so much potential to make a difference in the community,” said Jess.

“It’s been both challenging and rewarding to work with our leadership teams through the planning and implementation phases. There have been times where we’ve got things right and times where we have had to consider other options, seeing the team’s commitment to success has been special to be a part of.”

Kallangur Satellite Hospital (KSH) Facility Manager Mel White began her career in with Queensland Health in 2017 and says working as part of multidisciplinary team is very rewarding.

“As a team, we collaborate to provide the best possible care and service to our patients in their local community. Since opening KSH, our patients and their families continue to express their pleasure at being able to receive their medical and dental care in a first-rate facility that is close to their home,” said Mel.

“We have such a unique role and part of it helps to harmonise the different services offered at each satellite hospital. Different services may have different clinical governance, but because they are delivered from a satellite hospital, we need to essentially speak one language, to work as one and make sure there are no siloed teams or processes.

“This step alone has a tremendous impact on patient outcomes, and our teams feel really proud to contribute so greatly to the patient journey.”

Jess has this advice for anyone thinking of working in facility management:

“Be prepared for something different every day. Absolutely anything can happen, and it usually happens when you are least expecting it.

“Build good relationships with your maintenance teams and your staff. Without them the facility won’t function and you can’t do it alone.”

Metro North is currently recruiting for the Bribie Island Satellite Hospital Facility Manager role. We look forward to welcoming the new Facility Manager to the Metro North team soon.