Angie Dobbrick

Metro North Health is committed to providing equity of access to high quality health care services and building relationships based on inclusion with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and their communities.

Metro North is developing the Metro North Health Equity Strategy 2022–2025 which aims to ensures our hospital and health service is accessible, free from racism and discrimination, culturally safe and responsive. I encourage everyone to review the document and provide feedback.

Supporting the program is a ‘Health Equity Starts with Me’ film featuring a commitment made by nurses, doctors, administration staff, health executives and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander consumers.

There is more detail about the strategy in this edition of the Caring Together newsletter.

Equity in health outcomes for our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community is a key focus this year.

CKW is recruiting to a new Manager Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Services position that will lead and guide the CKW team to deliver culturally safe and appropriate care and services at our facilities.

This key new leadership role will provide high level cultural leadership, guidance and authoritative counsel in matters relating to the operational performance, priorities and change management issues as they relate to improving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health outcomes.

It will also drive the development of designated service improvement portfolios across the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health services in the Caboolture, Kilcoy and Woodford Directorate and work closely with other teams in Metro North, Queensland Health and among community partners, who specialise in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander healthcare.

Further, not only will we be looking towards health equity for our community but we will also be working towards delivering culturally safe environments for our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff to work. Including working toward the goal of eliminating institutional racism and unconscious bias. As well as creating more opportunities to welcome staff who identify as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander to work for us.

These initiatives are not negotiable, they are legislated, and we are all responsible for playing our part in achieving the goals we seek. What are you going to do to contribute?

Medicine and Older Persons Nursing Director Marguerite Byrnes with Team Leader Waunaiza Curtis on Ward 4A

On another note, I am also keen to continue rolling out initiatives based on your feedback from the Have Your Say survey.

We must continue a strong focus on patient and staff safety, plus ensure leaders are more visible on the wards.

With these two goals in mind, we recently started a new Nursing Midwifery Leader Rounding program that sees a member of the CKW Senior Nursing Midwifery team round in clinical areas each day of the week to proactively identify, support and manage safety strategies as we transition from day to evening shifts.

Nursing Director of Medicine and Older Persons, Marguerite Byrnes, recently rounded on Ward 4A, and spoke with Team Leader, Waunaiza Curtis, about any pressing issues or workforce shortfalls.

This is one way we are working to provide more on-the-ground leadership and support, and all of the senior leaders welcome you to speak with them about any issues or concerns you have as they’re rounding. While the pandemic has again taken a lot of our focus this year, this edition of the newsletter also highlights just some of our great work and achievements. Let’s celebrate them together.

Take Care,

Angie.