AUGUST 2019 EDITION We Would Like to Pay Our Respects to the Traditional Owners of the Lands Across the South West
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South West Hospital and Health Service PULSE AUGUST 2019 EDITION We would like to pay our respects to the traditional owners of the lands across the South West. We would also like to pay our respects to the current and future Elders who will inherit the responsibility of keeping Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture alive, and creating a better life for the generations to follow. We believe the future happiness and wellbeing of all Australians and their future generations will be enhanced by valuing and taking pride in Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples – the oldest living culture of humanity. South West Queensland Traditional Owners: Augathella – Bidjara (Bid-jara) Mungindi – Kamilaroi (Car-milla-roy) Bollon – Kooma (Coo-ma) Quilpie – Bunthamarra (Bun-tha-mar-ra) and Wangkumara (Wong-ka-mara) Charleville – Bidjara (Bid-jara) Roma – Mandandanji (Mand-an-dand-gee) Cunnamulla – Kunya (Koun-yah) with other interests St George – Kooma (Coo-ma) with Kamilaroi, Mandandanji, Bigambul and Dirranbandi – Kooma (Coo-ma) Gungarri interests Injune – Kongabula (Kong-ga-bull-a) Surat – Mandandanji (Mand-an-dand-gee) Mitchell – Gungurri (Gon-gari) Thargomindah – Kullila (Coo-lee-lar) Morven – Bidjara (Bid-jara) Wallumbilla – Mandandanji (Mand-an- dand-gee) Our Values QUALITY COMPASSION ACCOUNTABILITY ENGAGEMENT ADAPTABILITY This newsletter is produced by the South West Hospital and Health Service (South West HHS). All feedback and contributions are welcome to [email protected]. All published material has been approved by the Health Chief Executive. Contents 4 Board 6 Board out and about 8 Health Service Chief Executive Our Communities 10 We put people at the heart of everything we do 11 Healthy comminities, healthy ageing 13 Healthy comminities, healthy ageing 14 Working in partnership to improve health outcomes Our Teams 16 Our aged care teams - the best here in the South West 17 Have a word with your local speech pathologists 19 Time to celebrate our people 21 The vital role of our partnerships with communities Our services 22 New Australian Charter of Healthcare Rights empowers patients as parters 23 Statewide health priorities take hold 24 South West Hospital and Health Service - clinical council 27 #SWspirit Our resources 28 Another key milestone met in new Roma hospital build 30 You matter - have your say! FROM THE BOARD CHAIR JIM McGOWAN, AM The Board meets in Roma with local Maranoa Regional Councillors and Executive Leadership Team members 4 South West Hospital and Health Service Occupational violence is an issue which can have a devastating impact on our staff, volunteers and consumers. People have a right to expect that when their loved ones or friends leave home to work in or visit one of our facilities that they will return home safely. We are committed to providing maximum support to mitigate both the incidence and impact of occupational violence. Sometimes, this involves changes to the physical layout in those facilities; sometimes it may require personal devices which can be activated; sometimes its impact can be mitigated by greater awareness and risk assessments. It always involves ongoing training and support. However, you are subject to greater challenges than regular workplaces. Drug fueled patients in our emergency departments, consumers with dementia in our aged care facilities and people with mental health issues are just a few examples where you are at greater risk than those in other workplaces. You must report any incidents to your supervisors and where appropriate, to the police. You need to know that support is available and have a right to expect that support. You have a right to know what follow up actions are planned or have been taken. You may have ideas on how to mitigate the risks in your workplace. Those ideas are welcome. Domestic and family violence can also impact on a person’s safety, wellbeing and work performance. The South West Hospital and Health Board at its August meeting reiterated its commitment to people who have been subject to domestic and family violence and approved a communication plan to inform employees about the support services that are available to them. This will include advice to others who become aware that one of their colleagues may be suffering as a result of domestic and family violence. Information on support services including leave arrangements will be available on the SWHHS intranet site, the Employee Assistance Program (EAP), the Pulse, posters, your supervisors or from HR specialists. The implementation of the new state-wide finance system (S/4HANA) has not gone as well as promised. I am aware that this has created challenges for the ordering and delivery of stock. I thank you for your patience, persistence and understanding. Local initiative and problem solving and cooperative approaches have been central to ensuring that clinical service delivery has not been compromised. Thank you. Consider these. “I call him religious who understands the suffering of others.” Mahatma Gandhi (1869 to 1948), leader of the non-violent campaign for Indian independence. Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.” Dr Leo Buscaglia (1924- 1998); known “Dr Love”; Professor in the Department of Special Education, University of Southern California. Jim McGowan AM The Pulse August 2019 5 FROM THE BOARD CHAIR OUT AND ABOUT Site tour Roma Hospital redevelopment Chair Jim McGowan, Maranoa Regional Councillor Jeff McMullen and WATPAC project manager Brett Rosenthal Dr Martin Byrne, A/HSCE Sandy McDonald, Roma CAN member and Board member Claire Alexander and Jan Chambers Chris Small, A/EDSGP 6 South West Hospital and Health Service Stewart Gordon and Roma CAN Chair Sandy MacDonald The Pulse August 2019 7 FROM THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE LINDA PATAT It’s a beautiful and brisk Tuesday morning as I building a culture that aligns with our values is an write this article - busily trying to tie off loose ends active role for all of us. as I head off on a couple of weeks’ holiday. Thank you to everyone who has sent me a lovely message The ability to attract and retain good people; to be wishing me a nice break. I’m going to Port Douglas innovative in the face of complex challenges; to for some time with extended family, and looking respond quickly and resiliently to crisis; and the forward to getting back into my morning exercise willingness to change and adopt new ways of doing routine (have dropped off the wagon a little of things and new technologies; all form mission late!) critical attributes for any successful organisation moving forward. I’m also looking forward to coming back and progressing our Safety and Quality agenda further We need to build our reputation and brand to together. As Chief Executive, I have found myself recruit the best people and ensure that those focused afresh on just how critical it is to create a who are here for the long term are supported by workplace where we all feel safe, valued, listened a full and skilled workforce which allows healthy to, and cared about. I believe trust forms a key workloads to be maintained. We cannot allow basis for this type of workplace environment, poor behaviour or ill-aligned values of a very and is created through both safe communication small few to drain the energy and engagement for and mutually respectful relationships that occur the overwhelming majority – the overwhelming and develop through individual interactions majority is our strength, our point of difference and each and every day in the workplace. This focus our future. I feel inspired each and every day to aligns particularly well with Jim’s message this be here because of the people who are part of our month about safety, both at home and at work ... work family – let’s not let the exceptions consume physically and psychologically. our energy; and let’s show courage and candour in addressing issues of poor behaviour and poor Across the South West, we have culture together. a long and strong history of Having a high trust, inclusive and safe workplace working together, and now more is a non-negotiable for me. The integrity required to do the right thing can be very challenging at than ever, having inclusive times – but we remain focused and committed to and respectful relationships delivering on this, as I know you require this of me. I thank you for doing your best to continue to hold will provide the bedrock for this in the highest of stead. our culture. This will be a The conversations and the actions we take today key ingredient to our future build our culture and our experience of tomorrow. sustainability and success. Yours in service We have a team of 978 across the South West and L we all develop the South West culture every day. Paying attention, and consciously and strategically 8 South West Hospital and Health Service WHERE’S LINDA BEEN? Where was Linda in July 2019? Linda was spotted last month during her travels visiting the beautiful town of Morven Guess where Linda was in August 2019? Send your guesses to [email protected] SENIOR LEADERS TRAIN TOGETHER TO IMPROVE OUR WORKPLACES In August, their colleagues and leaders telling the truth, being all 60 of our kind and playing fairly. Senior Leaders In addition to focusing on professional and inclusive attended a communication, the Senior Leadership Team are also targeted training looking to identify and address processes, rules or program for high approaches that don’t add value to the important work performance we do – individualised person-centred high quality communication.