Adj Prof Jackie Hanson

Firstly, I want to acknowledge the huge amount of work happening across Metro North and the demand we’re seeing for unplanned care. While we are moving into our recovery phase, we are still responding to COVID day to day and this is likely to be the case for the coming weeks and months. Even as we shift to a recovery model, we will continue to monitor the COVID situation daily to respond when changes occur.

As part of the recovery planning process, there have been debriefing sessions held with work areas and teams who have been involved in the COVID response. This week we also launched the debrief survey for more general feedback. From Tuesday our Incident Controller Louise O’Riordan and local executives will be holding a series smaller Teams meetings with frontline professional groups for those who haven’t had the chance to provide feedback yet.

Consultation on the Metro North Health Equity Strategy closed this week. Thank you everyone who took the time to provide your feedback. Health equity is not an add on, it is a genuine change in the way we work, particularly the way we provide care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. The health equity strategy will be launched shortly and I look forward to working together to deliver these critical goals to close the gap for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Our seasonal influenza vaccination campaign starts next week. Current modelling predicts we will see a bigger flu season than the last two years. The best protection is to get the flu vaccination. Local vaccination clinic times will be communicated in our staff bulletins. You can also get a vaccination through your local GP or pharmacy.

The Caboolture Young Mothers for Young Women (CYWYM) program has developed a new website to help young women feel in control during their pregnancy. The website was designed by young women and encourages pregnant women to register their pregnancy with Caboolture Hospital early to get the full benefit of support from the CYWYM program. The site also includes information about the hospital, options for care, and information to help young women through their pregnancy. The CYWYM program is a partnership with MICAH Projects and supports pregnant and parenting women who are 20 or under, along with their children and families.

Monday is Anzac Day, when we remember the men and women who served and sacrificed for our country. Our hospitals and health services have a long history of involvement with defence personnel, with many of our current staff still serving today.

To commemorate Anzac Day, there will be a PA announcement on Monday at Caboolture and Kilcoy Hospitals and Brighton Health Campus. TPCH will hold a live service for patients and visitors at 10am via the free pastoral care channel on the hospital patient TV system. RBWH staff and patients are invited to line the Butterfield St entrance from 7.50am with a bugle playing the Last Post.

Regards,

Jackie