R U OK? Starting a conversation when you spot the signs that someone you care about might be struggling with life is important every day, every week, every month, every year.

It’s always important to check in on others who may be experiencing a tough time, but it’s also important to check in with yourself.

For R U OK? Day on Thursday (8 September), Metro North Health is hosting several sessions on looking after yourself and looking after others under the theme “Am I OK?”  You can find more details here.

At CKW, Clinical Nurse Sarah Hayes bringing her Service/Therapy dog ‘Brinkley’ for us to meet on Thursday (8 September) from 11.30am to 1.30pm in the Caboolture Hospital Central Courtyard.

Benestar Psychologist Sacha Boyce and CKW Psychology Director Chris Martin will present to medical staff during Grand Rounds on Friday.

To see what else is happening and find R U OK? Day resources, visit the Metro North Health extranet page.

Congratulations to the Emergency Department

Congratulations to the Caboolture Hospital Emergency Department, which opened the new temporary Fast Track area this week.

Here’s a photo of the Fast Track team on Wednesday morning, just before the first patients arrived – great work Nurse Practitioner Candidate Kate Dooley, Nurse Practitioner Dimple Charters, Physiotherapists Drew Bignell, Wendy Milway and Emily Poole with ED PHO Sophie Boyes.

The focus has now turned towards using the old Fast Track area to expand the paediatric emergency department area and start a new ‘Care Initiation Area’ for rapid assessment of patients from the waiting room.

A big thank you also to the Allied Health team for hastily moving some outpatient clinics to the Caboolture Super Clinic so we could temporarily add more capacity to our Emergency Department!

Twice the fun during awards season

Have you heard the old saying about killing two birds with one stone?

The annual Caring Together CKW Staff Excellence Awards open today. These awards celebrate staff who make a significant contribution to the Metro North Values. Nominations are open until 5pm Friday 30 September. It’s one of my favourite events of the year!

The awards ceremony will be held on Wednesday 27 October from 10.30am to 11.30am at the Caboolture Hospital Lecture Theatre. Nominate here.

Nominations for the annual Metro North Health Staff Excellence Awards are now also open until Friday 16 September. Nominate here.

These awards will be presented during a gala dinner in early December, which is also an opportunity to come together and reflect on the year’s accomplishments.

When nominating an individual or team, make sure you submit a nomination in both the CKW and Metro North Health awards.

Both events are proudly sponsored by QSuper – your ongoing support of Metro North Health is greatly appreciated.

White Ribbon Workplace Accreditation

Metro North Health is once again working towards White Ribbon Accreditation.

Becoming a White Ribbon Accredited Workplace demonstrates our responsibility to uphold zero tolerance against violence.

It means standing up against attitudes and behaviours that go against our values, promoting a respectful workplace and supporting those whose lives are affected by domestic and family violence.

All of these factors contribute to a safe and productive workplace where people feel supported and cared for in both their professional and personal lives.

All staff are now required to complete the mandatory domestic and family violence online training – Recognise, Respond, Refer. Please complete this training via TMS by Sunday 18 September.

This will help us earn our White Ribbon Accreditation and give you the tools and knowledge to support colleagues who may be experiencing violence.

Members of the White Ribbon Accreditation Working Group will be hosting an information stall at Caboolture Hospital starting next Monday (12 September) in the main corridor (opposite the central courtyard).

For more information please visit the Metro North’s domestic and family violence intranet site.

Catching up with our consumers

The Caring Together Consumer Network met with the CHRP team this week to chat about the opening of the new multi-storey carpark and get their feedback or questions.

It was a very robust and enlightening workshop with our seven consumers who asked about everything from trees to allocated parking and tariffs.

We will continue to meet with them regularly over the coming months to make sure the needs of our patients and community are considered and embedded in every part of the hospital expansion and our exciting future.

What a compliment!

Here’s a great compliment from a new mum about our Damara midwives:

“When bringing home a new baby, there are always some questions and concerns you have.

“By having the Damara midwives able to conduct house visits, it means that I have peace of mind regarding my child’s ongoing care and I don’t have to travel to a GP (difficult following C section).

“It is exceptional care to be able to have midwives visit in your home as you build a bond with new baby, it is a safe space and I think helps to fast track the bonding process.”

Book Week fun!

Year 4 University of Queensland Student Doctor Bill Diep is out of this world!

Bill is doing two six-week placements in Paediatrics and Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Caboolture Hospital. As part of his paediatric placement, Bill was encouraged to dress up for Book Week.

Here is Bill the Astronaut! I’m sure his young patients were very excited!

Finally,

International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD) earlier this week is about taking action to save lives and remembering those who have died.

The Caboolture Hub was lit up in purple on Wednesday night to help raise awareness of this important issue.

For more details, contact Red-Cab Mental Health Harm Reduction Officer Tracy Ebert.

Take Care,

Angie.