Dear colleagues,

We continue to see increasing demands for our services and I want to thanks all Metro North staff for responding so professionally.

This week we released the program guide for our second #NextCare Health Conference. The conference features more than 20 speakers in leadership roles across healthcare and other industries. #NextCare Health Conference brings together current and future health leaders from across Metro North and the state to connect, inspire and transform their careers.

Speakers include orthopaedic surgeon Dr Sarah Coll on overcoming self-doubt, leadership speaker Phill Nosworthy on emotional leadership for fast moving teams, Professor Brian Dolan and Rhonda Morton on the purpose, a panel on leading in ambiguous times, and a keynote from entrepreneur Janine Allis.

In addition to two days of engaging speakers, #NextCare includes networking opportunities at the Leaders Breakfast, Welcome Reception, and ELP breakfast for our Executive Leaders Program alumni. This year’s awards also include the Bond University Sustainable Healthcare Awards (closing next week).

#NextCare Health Conference will be held 22-23 April at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre. Due to COVIDSafe requirements, tickets are limited. Staff can access a discounted Metro North Health rate (while tickets last). For more information about speakers and to register, visit the #NextCare website.

I thought it may interest you to have some fast facts about what our teams in our Public Health Unit, Emergency Operations Centres and our Patient Access Coordination Hub (PACH) are working on behind the scenes:

• The PHU are required to assess COVIDSafe plans for public events and functions.
• Our EOC is working with families and individuals repatriating to Australia to help them get home safely, some of whom have exceptional needs.
• PACH is working with our partners in Queensland Ambulance Service to take a whole of community view of the current demands for healthcare, and forecasting and modelling opportunities for care pathways.

On another note, I am aware that a staff member recently provided a patient’s private contact details to a journalist. This is a gross breach of patient confidentiality. Everyone who comes into our care is legally and morally entitled to privacy and confidentiality and we have a responsibility to ensure patient information is secure and not misused. Please familiarise yourself with the information privacy and confidentiality guidelines.

Regards,

Jackie Hanson
Acting Chief Executive
Metro North Hospital and Health Service