We awoke today to the sad news of the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Her Majesty embodied the idea that ‘leadership is managing government and politics; ruling with one’s heart and head is statesmanship’. Regardless of anyone’s personal politics, this is the loss of a true world leader, the longest reigning monarch of the Commonwealth, and a woman who dedicated 70 years of her life to public service.

Metro North Health has a direct connection and long history with the Royal Family through The Prince Charles Hospital and Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital. Over the next few days more information will be released about formal arrangements in Queensland. In the meantime, anyone wishing to offer your condolences can visit the Queensland Government’s dedicated website.

Queenslanders may lay flowers and mementoes at the Queen Elizabeth II statue at Government House at 168 Fernberg Road, Paddington, Brisbane between 8am and 4pm on Friday 9 September and Saturday 10 September, with additional dates and times to be advised in due course.

Wellbeing

Yesterday the Caboolture Hospital surgical team received a lovely gift for RUOK Day from their surgical colleagues at RBWH. It was a thoughtful gesture and reflected our values of teamwork, respect, and compassion in particular.

While we acknowledge RUOK Day once a year, any day is a good day to check in with colleagues and ask someone if they are ok. We started the week with an excellent wellbeing vidcast with our Chief People and Culture Officer Kristal Lowe and staff psychologist Drew Craker. The recording is available on QHEPS for those who couldn’t tune in.

We are continuing to support staff through the Peer Responder program. Peer responders are staff who have been trained in psychological first aid and can provide support to colleagues anywhere across Metro North. Information about peer responders including a list of people to contact is available on QHEPS. Our employee assistance service Benestar is also available 24/7 for free confidential support on 1300 360 364.

Staff Excellence Awards

The Metro North Staff Excellence Awards are open for nominations. The awards recognise staff achievements across the organisation including leadership, innovation, education and training, values in action, performance, integrated care, and people focus.

This week we have also launched two additional categories, First Nations Staff and Improving First Nations Health, reflecting our commitment to closing the gap and health equity.

Nominations for the Staff Excellence Awards close next Friday 16 September. The awards gala will be held on Friday 9 December and are open to all staff. Tickets will go on sale in early October for $70 per person.

Green Metro North

Today is World Electric Car day. We are committed to replacing our vehicle fleet over the next few years with electric cars. So far, Metro North has 12 electric vehicles with another nine to be delivered by the end of the year, which will exceed our target of 16 Zero Emission Vehicles (ZEV) by December 2022.

We have installed charging stations for our fleet at Herston, Redcliffe Hospital, Caboolture Hospital and most recently Nundah and Zillmere Community Health Centres. We are planning to roll out more charging infrastructure across Metro North sites to support the transition of our 300+ passenger vehicles to full battery electric by 2026 under the government’s ZEV Strategy.

This year we have also introduced some electric buggies for BEMS at TPCH, RBWH and Caboolture and the RBWH Central Messenger Service and an electric ride on mower at Brighton Health Campus. You can see the Green Metro North Strategy online.

Innovation

Last week I mentioned our success with the Connecting Community Pathways funding. One of the initiatives which received funding is Urban Indigenous Respiratory Outreach Care (UROC). This initiative will provide specialist Indigenous respiratory outreach clinics in a community centre in partnership with the Institute of Urban Indigenous Health (IUIH) through the Indigenous Respiratory Outreach Program to provide service closer to home in a culturally safe and respectful environment, reduce wait lists, and improve access to specialist appointments.

The team will include respiratory physicians from TPCH and RBWH working together in partnership to provide a one day clinic per week at alternate IUIH Morayfield and Margate centres, along with the respiratory scientist providing respiratory investigations.

This week saw another successful Herston Health Symposium which highlighted some of the excellence work in research and innovative clinical care happening across campus. Well done to the organisers and presenters for yet another outstanding showcase. Shortly we will be opening another innovation partner facility on campus, marking another milestone in developing the Herston Health Precinct as a world class Health Hub of Excellence.

Thank you

I have received some excellent feedback about our staff and services this week.

Metro North Board member Bonny Barry, who works for the Institute of Urban Indigenous Health, complimented our Nurse Navigators and RBWH Medical Imaging:

“I would like to acknowledge the professionalism and dedication shown by RBWH Dept of Medical Imaging DMI in collaboration with Yashni Kander Indigenous NN @ RBWH in assisting one of my IUIH Connect Plus clients over the last few months…

Both the client and I really appreciated the help we got from RBWH DMI and it goes without saying Yashni Kander, who like ALL MN Indigenous Nurse Navigators is a pleasure to work with and always a critical part of the success of such care outcomes.”

I also received a message directly via LinkedIn from the son of patient:

“Quick note to praise and thank the medical team at Caboolture Hospital that attended my father this week.

The care and competence of the professionals was exemplary. I spoke with Dr Victor, and his clear communication and patience in answering my questions was reassuring at a distressing time for us.

Sincere thanks from myself and my parents.”

Have a good weekend and take at least a few minutes for some self care and relaxation.

Warm regards,

Jackie