Adj Prof Jackie Hanson

This week has been particularly busy across our facilities. Thank you all for your work, particularly for lending a hand to cover for colleagues on sick leave.

On Monday we held a showcase of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health services and initiatives across Metro North, which was attended by Deputy-Director General and Chief Health Officer Haylene Grogan. Presentations included the Deadly Start education to employment program, the Caboolture Hospital Redevelopment Project engagement with Elders, the Women’s Business Pathway, and Research Alliance for Urban Goori Health between Metro North, the University of Queensland, RBWH Foundation, and the Institute of Urban Indigenous Health. The showcase also included Deadly Awards for staff who have demonstrated their outstanding commitment and leadership of the health equity agenda across Metro North Health.

Queensland Health Acting Chief Operating Officer David Rosengren and Associate Director-General, Strategy, Policy and Reform Division visited on Wednesday to hear about Metro North’s work to drive excellence and innovation. David has asked me to pass on his thanks to the teams who presented and let us know that everyone was impressed with the visible collaboration and engagement amongst the leadership team.

Thank you to everyone who has submitted your ideas to date through the #innov8 portal. In line with the reform agenda, the Department of Health is seeking proposals through the Connected Community Pathways funding pool for alternate evidence-based and innovative models of care focused on primary sector partnership that:

• Target unplanned care
• Support people at home to recover or stay well and
• Provide tangible impact on hospital demand.

We will review the #innov8 ideas received to date to determine alignment with the Connected Community Pathways criteria and contact the idea submitter if additional information is required. Expressions of Interest under Connected Community Pathways funding proposal are due by 27 May 2022. If you have any questions, please email HEI@health.qld.gov.au.

A reminder during Domestic and Family Violence Month that there are leave provisions for people experiencing family violence. If you need support, call Benestar on 1300 574 516 or DV Connect on 1800 811 811 for free confidential counselling. We have a range of resources to support staff experiencing family violence and for staff education around how to recognise, respond and refer to appropriate support services.

In response to the Have your Say Staff Survey, we have funded upgrades to staff amenities at Caboolture Hospital. The upgrades include new furniture and lockers for staff tea rooms. More work is planned for improvements to nurses stations.

It’s National Volunteers Week. Thank you to all our volunteers across Metro North and to staff who are volunteers outside of work.

Stay dry and have a good weekend.

Regards,

Jackie