South West Hospital and Health Service

PULSEOCTOBER 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:

Contents

Augathella – Bidjara (Bid-jara)

Bollon – Kooma (Coo-ma)

Charleville – Bidjara (Bid-jara)

Cunnamulla – Kunya (Koun-yah) with other interests

Dirranbandi – Kooma (Coo-ma)

Injune – Kongabula (Kong-ga-bull-a)

Mitchell – Gungurri (Gon-gari)

Morven – Bidjara (Bid-jara)

Mungindi – Kamilaroi (Car-milla-roy)

Quilpie – Bunthamarra (Bun-tha-mar-ra) and Wangkumara (Wong-ka-mara)

Roma – Mandandanji (Mand-an-dand-gee)

St George – Kooma (Coo-ma) with Kamilaroi, Mandandanji, Bigambul and Gungarri interests

Surat – Mandandanji (Mand-an-dand-gee)

Thargomindah – Kullila (Coo-lee-lar)

Wallumbilla – Mandandanji (Mand-an-dand-gee)

This newsletter is produced by the South West Hospital and Health Service (South West HHS). All feedback and contributions are welcome to SWHHS_Communiations@health.qld.gov.au. All published material has been approved by the Health Chief Executive.

Our Values

QUALITY COMPASSION ACCOUNTABILITY ENGAGEMENT ADAPTABILITY

4 Board

6 Board out and about

7 Health Service Chief Executive

8 Where’s Linda been?

Our Communities

8 How the South West stayed safe during Stay Safe Month

9 South West strengthens Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Leadership and Voice

10 Cunnamulla kids recognised at the Awards Showcase

11 Community Advisory Network Roma Chair Profile - Heather Geary

12 Have your Say on the National Obesity Strategy

13 Dirranbandi celebrates its 33rd birthday

14 ‘Testing our Health’ in the South West

Our Teams

16 South West partners with Health Consumers Queensland

18 Annual Community Advisory Network forum a great success

20 Everyone is a leader in the South West

21 South West medical workforce goes from strength to strength

Our services

22 Working hand in hand with Primary Health Network to help our consumers

23 Community Information Session updates residents on the new Roma Hospital

24 #SWspirit - Bruce Albeck - Wallumbilla Community Clinic

25 South West Hospital and Health Service Staff Awards 2019

Our resources

27 Roma Hospital Redevelopment update

FRONT COVER IMAGE: South West Hospital and Health Service Chief Executive Linda Patat with Health Consumers Queensland representative Cecilia O’Donohue and Cecilia’s carer Maria.

The feedback from the Staff Awards Night on Monday 2019 has been excellent. Indeed, it was a great night; a bit upmarket from previous events thanks to the generous support from Watpac, the contractors for the new Roma Hospital.

I would like to add my personal congratulations to all finalists and to the winners. However, I am reminded that all of these people and teams do not achieve this recognition by themselves; they could not achieve these awards without a great deal of assistance, support and ncouragement from their colleagues.

The role of our volunteers, our Community Advisory Network (CAN) members, is invaluable in providing local perspectives which can point to areas and issues to improve our services. The annual CAN forum provides an opportunity for our CAN members to meet and discuss issues of broader interest. This year, the CAN chairs were encouraged to bring another member with them. While a formal report on the outcomes of this forum will be made available to the CANs and our staff, I am delighted that the forum also received very positive comments.

Our challenge is to ensure that next year’s events in Charleville build on the improvements of this year.

Every night the TV news bulletins carry stories of disturbing events from the Royal Commission into Aged Care. Everyone must appreciate that the Royal Commission will have implications for all who provide services to our aging parents, relatives and friends. Similarly, the new Standards are already causing us to critically rethink of service models and behaviours. I hope that we are “ahead of the game’ in the South West though our commitment to our behaviourally-based values of Quality, Compassion, Accountability, Engagement and Adaptability.

As I have consistently stressed, these are encapsulated by needing to see the image of mothers, fathers and loved ones in the faces of the people needing our services. If we all can hold true to this image, we will ideally be placed to meet the challenges arising from the new Aged Care Standards and the outcomes of the Royal Commission. I say this not to promote any complacency but to encourage our collective commitment to looking after those who have provided us with so much, socially, culturally and economically. We owe them a great debt.

The seemingly endless drought, which has exacerbated the impact of wild fires and which are affecting NSW and Queensland as I write this, make it important that we look out for signs of distress in the people in the communities of the South West. Mental health issues are often complex but support is available. In some occasions it just involves a shoulder to lean on or someone to just listen. If more clinically based interventions are needed, we should all encourage people to access the support which is available.

A couple of quotes to ponder. “Caring for our seniors is perhaps the greatest responsibility we have. Those who have walked before us have given so much and made possible the life we all enjoy.” (John Hoeven (b 1957). US Banker and Democratic Senator)

“One person caring about another represents life’s greatest value.” (Jim Rohn (1930-2009). Author and Motivational speaker)

Jim

FROM THE BOARD CHAIR

J I M McG O WA N , A M

I would like to add my personal congratulations to all finalists and to the winners. However, I am reminded that all of these people and teams do not achieve this recognition by themselves; they could not achieve these awards without a great deal of assistance, support and encouragement from their colleagues.

Jim McGowan AM presenting Peter Bradford the Board Chair’s Award for 2019.

The Pulse October 2019 54 South West Hospital and Health Service

FROM THE BOARD CHAIR

O U T A N D A B O U TI write this message following an amazing night at our Annual Staff Awards. I thoroughly enjoyed our time with those who could attend (about 120!); it was such a privilege to reflect and share on a ‘Year in Review’ and the people who choose to work with us and live our values every day (and the dancing!!)

The evening was followed by our Annual CAN Forum, which again, is always such a rich source of insights and feedback into how we are doing, and what we need to focus on next. We have committed to looking into how we schedule and communicate Oral Health visits; regularly share how our Medical Workforce levels are going; and prioritise the DON backfill and relief arrangements.

This month we received the high level results of the Queensland Staff Opinion Survey, and in the coming weeks we will share these with each area. You should expect to have a discussion with your Team Leader or Manager about the results before the end of November, and be part of sharing ideas and suggestions regarding what actions we will progress to continue to improve.

I’ll be sharing our results and our action plans through my regular All-staff HSCE Messages. I’m committed to continuing to do everything I can to support the heart and soul of our organisation. It’s not our name, or where we work, but our unique culture that we want to not only attract the very best, but also nurture and inspire everyone here to bring their best selves to work.

As part of this continuous improvement, and commitment to being our best, we are also building our own unique model of leadership - a leader landscape that will work specifically for South West. We’re not adopting another model, but tailoring our own that is purpose-built and a purpose fit for what we need to succeed in the South West. This framework is built on the fundamental belief and principle that everyone is a leader - either of self, teams, services, or the organisation.

The most exciting part about this framework is a new CDLA! We will have a new process and approach that works through authentic and regular conversations that are meaningful to both parties. The Senior Leadership

Team will be receiving their training in relation to the new tool in the first week of December, and we will share further information with you in December to help start rolling this out.

I anticipate to be sharing announcements in relation the two Executive positions I am currently recruiting to (Executive Director Primary and Community Care, and Executive Director Strategy, Performance and Governance) prior to the Christmas break.

The work we are progressing in relation to Healthy Communities, strong Primary Care through our Healthcare Home Model, strengthening our Aged Care Standards across residential and MPHS sites along with community services, and building maturity in our clinical governance systems will continue to be a focus for us all in the coming months. I look forward to sharing next month’s Pulse with you, which will focus a celebration of a ‘Year in Review’ to acknowledge the amazing work that has occurred throughout 2019. The end of the year is drawing near quickly, and I am looking forward to what the year ahead brings us all.

Until then, I remain yours in service, L

FROM THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE

L I N DA PATAT

SWHHS CE Linda Patat with Watpac’s Queensland Business Development Manager Ross Jarden (left) and Watpack’s Project Manager Brett Rosenthal.

Celebrating at the 2019 SWHHS Staff Awards are (front from left) Russell Bowles, Julie McNeil, Jim McGowan AM, Linda Patat, Loretta Johnson and Ray Chandler; with (from back), Kathleen Rogers, Dr Tim Smart, David Sinclair and Sam Edmonds.

Board Chair Jim McGowan AM addresses the audience at the annual Community Advisory Network Forum held recently in Roma.

Board Member Ray Chandler, A/Executive Director Primary and Community Care Julie McNeil, Executive Director Finance, Infrastructure and Corporate Services Sam Edmonds and Bridgette Price at the CAN forum held recently.

CAN Chair Roma Heather Geary, CAN Chair Injune Jane Cosh, CAN representative St George Mareea Lochel, A/DON St George Sheila Marshall, A/Executive Director Nusing and Midwifery Jeff Potter and Board Governance Officer Donna Burke at the CAN forum held recently.

Naomi Poole, Director Consumer Partnering from the Australian Safety and Quality Healthcare Commission with South West CE Linda Patat at the CAN Forum held recently.

The Pulse October 2019 76 South West Hospital and Health Service

W H E R E ’S L I N DA B E E N ? S O U T H W E S T S T R E N G T H E N S A B O R I G I N A L A N D TO R R E S S T R A I T I S L A N D E R L E A D E R S H I P A N D V O I C E

RIGHT: Guess where Linda was in October 2019?

Send your guesses to SWHHS_Communications@health.qld.gov.au

ABOVE: Where was Linda in September 2019?

Linda was at the new Nindigully Pub.

H O W T H E S O U T H W E S T S TAY E D S A F E D U R I N G S TAY S A F E M O N T HSafe Work Month is the annual awareness month, held in October, that encourages all working Queenslanders to come together and build healthy, safe and productive working environments. This year the Safety and Wellbeing team from the SWHHS concentrated on Chemical Safety in the Workplace, as all workplaces have large amounts of chemicals that they use daily - that have been assessed and managed to be the safest possible options for the workplace. Each workplace was supplied a variety of resources to implement and support their safe work culture.

Mungindi’s Workplace Health and Safety Representative - Valerie Clay provided this photo of her display board which included a variety of the supplied resources offered by the Safety and Wellbeing team.

Queenslanders work hard and it’s important we all go home at the end of the day safe.

Mungindi staff celebrated Safe Work Month with a poster wall which included key information about how to stay safe in the workplace.

The South West Hospital and Health Service Chief Executive has welcomed Rodney Landers Senior to the position of Senior Indigenous Health Coordinator as part of the Executive Leadership Team Structure.

Born and bred in Roma, the Mandandanji Traditional Owner and Community member is also the Chair of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Leadership Advisory Council.

South West’s Chief Executive Linda Patat said that as part of the SWHHS Strategic Plan, the Board had set a very specific direction for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health for the South West, with a strong mandate to implement strategies to improve cultural awareness and cultural competency of our workforce and our services.

“Rodney will assist our organisation to continue to strengthen relationships and partnerships with local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, Aboriginal community-controlled health services and elders, through partnerships that are sustainable and of mutual benefit.

“Access to good health care that is culturally appropriate and evidence-based is the right of all our local Indigenous community members, and

our ability to work in true partnership to prioritise the specific health needs of our communities continues to require us to value the knowledge and experiences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.”

Rodney, who is known for his approachable and down-to-earth attitude, is looking forward to his new responsibilities and building and maintaining networks to further develop and implement strategies which aim to improve the health and well-being of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

“I have a good understanding of my community’s needs. Growing up in Roma I’ve been schooled, played sport and worked in the area it is in these roles that I gained an intimate knowledge of issues, concerns and interests of my people.”

South West CE Linda Patat with Senior Indigenous Health Coordinator Rodney Landers Senior.

8 South West Hospital and Health Service The Pulse October 2019 9

The Cunnamulla P-12 State School were finalists in the Queensland Education Showcase Awards in Brisbane at the end of October.

South West HOPE program’s Sue Eustace-Earle said it was wonderful to see the Cunnamulla students up there so proud of their achievements.

“We had a big contingent from the South West supporting the kids including South West’s Chief Executive Linda Patat and South West’s Board Chair Jim McGowan AM.

“It was very exciting for them to not only be finalists but to come second in the Rural and Remote Category.”

Sue shared her insights from work in Charleville and Cunnamulla as part of a panel discussing Place-Based initiatives in Queensland.

“Health and Wellbeing Queensland invited government departments to examine emerging

models for designing, funding and evaluating placed-based/whole-of-community initiatives at a workshop with Health Futures Australia Managing Director and Westpac Social Change Fellow Dr Shelley Bowen,” she said.

“Dr Bowen shared her insights from her extensive experience developing and implementing the Healthy Together Victoria model – the Victorian Government’s all-of-systems initiative to improve healthy eating and physical activity in children’s settings, workplaces and communities.”

Sue said Dr Bowen also talked about how she founded Health Futures Australia as a new not-for-profit to drive Australia’s healthiest communities in a movement to activate community, sectoral and civic leadership to fight obesity.

C A N C H A I R P R O F I L E :H E AT H E R G E A R Y - R O M A

C U N N A M U L L A K I D S R E CO G N I S E D AT AWA R D S S H O W C A S E

HOPE’s Sue Eustace-Earle with Dr Shelley Bowen.

Representatives from Cunnamulla P-12 State School at the Queensland Education Showcase Awards in Brisbane recently with South West’s CE Linda Patat and South West’s Board Chair Jim McGowan AM and HOPE’s Sue Eustace-Earle.

The Roma community will always hold a special place in Heather Geary’s heart.

In 2010 Heather’s home in Roma was flooded and when the insurance declined to help her, it was the Roma community that helped her through the difficult time.

“The community spirit shown to me during 2010 when my home was flooded was incredible,” Heather said.

“I almost lost everything in my house but my work mates and community members helped me through it. They cooked, cleaned, checked on me each night and kept me going and some local tradies rebuilt my home with little input from me.

“This community spirit is what keeps me going. I feel like I need to pay the community back which is why my passion for helping and supporting them through my position with the Community Advisory Network (CAN) is so important to me.”

As Roma’s Community Advisory Network Chair with the South West, Heather knows just how important these networks are in each of the communities across the South West.

“I had previously worked for Queensland Health for 26 years. I held positions all over the state including with Toowoomba, Mt Isa, Sunshine Coast, Hervey Bay and Roma,” she said.

“I knew Leanne Patton, who has been an Acting Director of Nursing at the Roma Hospital from my days with Queensland Health and she knew of my passion for not only the community but also for its health and wellbeing.

“So when she asked me to become a member of the Roma CAN I knew it was a wonderful opportunity to help repay the community from all the support they had given to me.”

Heather said it was a real honour to be the community’s representative as the CAN Chair.

“The fact that I can help ensure the healthcare needs are met in my community is an honour and I feel very privileged that I am the community representative for them.

“I love that I can give back to my community through the Community Advisory Network.

“And it is extra exciting now with the new Roma Hospital build all happening. The community is thrilled about having a new state of the art building which should make the patient journey much more pleasant, not to mention all of the staff being collocated will be fantastic for them communication and team wise.”

While Heather isn’t busy working or helping the community with their healthcare needs she does love to garden, travel, walk her two border collies, visit her

The Pulse October 2019 1110 South West Hospital and Health Service

Overweight and obesity is an issue affecting our whole community. Take action and join in the consultations on a national obesity strategy. You can be a part of creating a healthier future.

What’s happening? The Council of Australian Governments (COAG) Health Council has committed to developing a national obesity strategy.

All interested members of the community are invited to help inform the strategy. A range of ideas and options have been developed and are in the consultation paper.

These ideas are based on information gathered through evidence and practice reviews, and the outcomes of the Senate Select Committee Inquiry into the Obesity

Epidemic in Australia (2018) and a National Obesity Summit in 2019.

Why? More than 14 million people in Australia are overweight or obese: 2 in every 3 adults, and 1 in every 4 children.

If the current trend continues, 18 million Australians, or more than three-quarters of the projected Australian population, will be overweight or obese by 2030.

Government leadership and a whole-of-society response through a national obesity strategy will help in preventing overweight and obesity in our communities.

How can I get involved? To share your views and ideas:

1. Complete an online survey. There is a long and short form survey to choose from.

2. Take part in a community consultation session

3. Participate in the national webinar.

The consultation closes at 11.59pm, Sunday 15 December 2019.

For more on how to get involved, go to the national obesity strategy consultation hub at https://consultations.health.gov.au/population-health-and-sport-division/national-obesity-strategy/

H AV E YO U R S AY O N A N AT I O N A L O B E S I T Y S T R AT E G Y

D I R R A N B A N D I C E L E B R AT E S I T S 33 rd B I R T H DAY

What should a national obesity strategy for Australia say?

consultations.health.gov.au

Location:Attend a community forum

Time & date:

Have your say on a national obesity strategy

Every year on 18 October, the Dirranbandi Hospital staff join to celebrate the birthday of the hospital. rd

Opened in 1986, the hospital heralded a new era in health care services for the community.

Dirranbandi’s Director of Nursing and Facility Manager Jane O’Shannessy said the community love to share flashbacks from that day.

“The local butcher used to volunteer for the ambulance and he said he remembered the day clearly. In particular, when he had to help two patients move from the hospital. He remembered it took a lot of people to help make the hospital operational,” Jane said.

This year staff from the Dirranbandi Hospital and the Multipurpose Health Service residents joined for lunch and birthday cake.

Jane said during the lunch long-term staff recalled all

sorts of stories about the good old days. “People had their babies there, lost loved ones, had x-rays, bought in their sick kids -sometimes even pets,” she said.

“They recalled all the staff that have come and gone. It was wonderful. I love that people have a history with their health care facility.”

BELOW: Celebrating Dirranbandi’s 33rd birthday are (from left) Donna Hooper, Heather Lindsay, Sue Burnett, Jo Burke, Caroline Dent and Kimberly Clark.

12 South West Hospital and Health Service The Pulse October 2019 13

T E S T I N G O U R H E A LT H I N T H E S O U T H W E S T

T E S T I N G O U R H E A LT H I N T H E S O U T H W E S TThe South West has recently created a focus on helping individuals and nourishing the places and communities we live in.

South West’s Community Nutritionist Rohan Ballon said this focus had come to fruition because of the impact that social relationships and social networks have on our health and wellbeing.

Rohan said that every community is different, with a huge variance between the rural and remote communities compared with cities.

“As health professionals we need to focus on community needs and be responsive to the different needs in each community. Communities are an indispensable resource for improving health and wellbeing.

“By recognising and understanding the importance of health care needs in communities we can help them build resilience, trust and ultimately lead to better health and wellbeing.

“It is about co-designing solutions for healthy lifestyles for our consumers and cultivating an environment where communities can come forward with ideas.”

He said one way of identifying early signs of health issues was by conducting regular health checks in every community.

“Through staying in touch with the communities and running early checks can help maintain a health lifestyle while also reducing the risk of developing longer-term disease.

“These checks include blood pressure, blood cholesterol blood sugar, smokerlyzer, diet

and physical activity checks.

“These are all conducted by trained nursing staff and these health checks can be delivered to a target audience of over 30 individuals in an hour, with instant feedback being provided.

“It really is a great way to help community members maintain a healthy lifestyle to reduce risk of development of longer-term diseases”

The South West Healthy Communities team recently undertook a health check for community members from across the South West at the annual Community Advisory Network Forum on 29 October, 2019.

“It was great for those in attendance to see first- hand how quick and easy the testing is. This was a great way to start getting the message of the health checks into our communities through their CAN representatives,” he said.

Rohan said the health check kits and planning tools are available for staff to host health checks in facilities across the South West.

Please give the Healthy Communities a call if you would like them to visit your facility to test your work unit.

The Chief Health Officer for Queensland’s report - epidemiological transitions and emerging patterns of disease - creating pressure on health services

HEALTH

o 63% of Australians aged 18 and over are overweight or obese

o 50% of Australians have a chronic condition and these conditions are responsible for most deaths

o More than 4 in 5 Australians aged 15 and over rated their health as ‘excellent’, ‘very good’ or ‘good’ in 2014-15

DIET

o Queensland children and adults are choosing foods and drinks that are highly processed, energy–dense and nutrient–poor, instead of the nutrient rich five food groups from healthy food sources and necessary for a long and healthy life.

o More than 1/3 (37%) of daily total energy intake is coming from unhealthy foods across all age groups from the very young to the elderly

o 0.6% of children aged 5-17yrs met the

recommendation for daily consumption of vegetables and legumes/beans from healthy foods, compared with 3.8% of adults aged 18-64yrs

ACTIVITY

o 13% of South West adults were inactive

HEALTHY ACTIVE LIFESTYLE

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is the easiest method of preventing chronic diseases and long term illnesses. This does not mean forcing yourself into intense regimes of physical activity and diet.

This means finding activities that are fun and enjoyable for you, trying to eat more fruits and vegetables and surround yourself with encouraging people that will help you improve.

14 South West Hospital and Health Service The Pulse October 2019 15

H E A LT H CO N S U M E R S Q L D B R I N G S T H E CO N C E P T K I TC H E N TA B L E S TO S O U T H W E S T Q U E E N S L A N DA highlight of the forum was the Kitchen Tables interview by Reema Naresh from Health Consumers Queensland with Cecilia Donohue, a consumer who has been a host

for Health Consumers Queensland in conducting Kitchen Tables.

Cecilia is very passionate about health services in rural communities and this interest started as a result of her own disability. Cecilia has had Rheumatoid Arthritis for past 45 years and now has carers seven days a week.

The Kitchen Table segment commenced with Ann Curtis, Engagement Consultant, Health Consumers Queensland delivering a pre-recorded interview on the power of the Kitchen Table discussion. Kitchen Table discussions are community conversations led by local people for local people.

They allow individuals and small groups to participate in discussions at a time of day, and in a place, that suits them. The discussions enable health consumers, carers and community members who do not ordinarily participate in healthcare consultation to have their say in a safe, friendly and supportive environment. A host will plan, coordinate and facilitate a once-only 90 minute

discussion with up to 10 community members living in the neighbourhood / local region, and send in a summary of the conversation.

It can be at someone’s home, the local café wherever there is a relaxed and informal setting where people can open up, feel respected and speak from their heart about what is important to them. It’s as easy as that!

There is growing evidence of the importance of partnerships with patient-centred care recognised as an element of high quality healthcare in its own right with significant benefits ie. clinical quality and outcomes, the experience of care, and the business and operations of delivering care.

Momentum is gathering with a greater interest and focus on healthcare by consumers and the South West Hospital and Health Service will continue to build effective partnerships, allow consumers to be involved to the extent they choose, encourage the participation of consumers in healthcare processes and support them as there are significant benefits to be achieved.

The South West Hospital and Health Service will introduce new ways of engaging with its communities so that it has in place the greatest opportunities to gain feedback from all members of the community.

When we think about the concept of the Kitchen Table it is more than a flat surface, it is the heartbeat of a family, the centre of activity where memories are made, meals prepared, support provided, information shared, connections nurtured and maintained. It is a place of bringing family and friends together.

What a perfect way to get back to basics, to let the conversation flow and really understand what is important to communities.

The Kitchen Table opportunities will be endless. We will be looking to introduce the Kitchen Tables concept to enable meaningful engagement to occur connecting consumers who we may not have touched in the past.

This will be an evolving process as consumers become more involved and provide a strong and effective voice across the full spectrum of health issues.

K I TC H E N TA B L E S CO N T I N U E D. . . .

Naomi Poole from Health Consumers Queensland at the CAN forum held recently.

Reema Naresh from Health Consumers Queensland addressing the audience at the CAN forum.

Donna Burke, Maria (Cecilia’s carer), Cecila Donohue and Reema Naresh at the CAN forum recently.

16 South West Hospital and Health Service The Pulse October 2019 17

On Tuesday 29 October 2019 the annual Community Advisory Network (CAN) was held in Roma. More than 60 people attended with Community Advisory Network Chairs and representatives from across the 15 sites throughout the region joining the Board and Executive Members at the forum.

South West Hospital and Health Service has truly embedded community partnership and engagement into the way it does business and our CANs play an integral role being a voice for their communities influencing and shaping the design and delivery of health services. Through such a process, each health facility receives ongoing broad community input into the development of services.

Since their inception, the CAN’s have consolidated their role as the peak community and consumer advisory committee to the Board and have undertaken important discussions with their networks and local communities about various issues concerning health services in our region. Our CANs provide a unique community and consumer perspective to all aspects of health service operations and healthcare delivery.

“The annual CAN forum is part of our engagement process where partnerships are strengthened, key initiatives and relevant topics are discussed and the voice of communities is heard,”

There was an impressive agenda for the day with

sessions regarding future Health Service Planning, the development of healthy communities, presentations by Health Consumers Queensland and the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Healthcare.

Linda Patat, Health Service Chief Executive provided an update on the health service planning process, the 10 year vision for future service delivery and key areas identified through community input. Communities will be provided with the opportunity to review their snapshots prior to finalisation of the plan. The Health Service Plan will shape the Infrastructure Masterplan, future strategic direction and plans and ongoing local policies and initiatives.

Jim McGowan, Board Chair addressed the Forum highlighting the vision of the South West Hospital and Health Service to be a national leader in the delivery of health services to rural and remote communities and that if we are serious about our vision and values, change

A N N UA L CO M M U N I T Y A D V I S O R Y N E T W O R K A G R E AT S U CC E S S

must be embraced to deliver on the vision and values with our patients and communities at the very centre of everything we do.

Chris Houghton, National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) Co-ordinator, Quilpie Shire Council gave an interesting overview of her role as the NDIS Co-ordinator and provided some ideas to community members on how to navigate the NDIS landscape.

Rohan Ballon, Community Nutritionist, Kathy Morrow, Healthy Lifestyles Co-ordinator and Helen Wassman, Service Director gave a presentation on Healthy Communities - local connections for positive change.

“The Healthy Communities initiative is about empowering local communities and individuals to take care of their own health and wellbeing across their lifespan.”

During the lunch break community and allied health staff undertook health checks covering cholesterol, blood pressure, sleep, physical activity, diet and general practitioner visits in the last 12 months.

Following the lunch break the results were profiled to forum attendees with varying results across the cohort.

Reema Naresh, Engagement Advisor, Health Consumers Queensland gave an informative presentation on engaging with consumers highlighting a myriad of ways to engage consumers and how important consumer engagement is across planning implementation, monitoring, evaluation and review and that good engagement commences in the very early stages.

A range of different processes may be used to ensure a broad representation of consumers are involved. One process highlighted and currently being used across the State to gather consumer feedback was the notion of Kitchen Tables, a method of going back to the grass roots where family and friends gather around the table, are comfortable, sit close to each other and share a conversation.

Naomi Poole, Director Consumer Partnering from the Australian Safety and Quality Healthcare Commission was a key speaker at the Forum and presented on consumer partnerships and person-centred care. Also screened was the launch of the second edition of the Charter of Healthcare Rights opening by Luke Escombe, a Consumer and Health Advocate.

“Community attitudes to health are constantly evolving and after extensive consultation the Charter was revised to reflect what the wider community believe are their appropriate healthcare rights in today’s landscape.”

Developed by the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care, with an increased focus on person-centred care the official launch was held on 8 August 2019 and encouraged people to actively engage in decisions about their care with their healthcare provider. The Charter outlines what every person can expect when receiving care and describes seven fundamental rights including: access, safety, respect, partnership, information, privacy and giving feedback. The Charter encourages consumers to speak up.

18 South West Hospital and Health Service The Pulse October 2019 19

E V E R YO N E I S A L E A D E R I N T H E S O U T H W E S T. . . .

Clinical and non-clinical leaders from across the South West, together with the Executive Leadership Team, joined for the Senior Leaders Forum in Roma on Thursday

3 October.

This dynamic forum, which provides an opportunity for our leaders to connect, share ideas, joint plan, problem solve and develop, occurs every second month.

Our Health Service Chief Executive Linda Patat kick started the day by setting the scene that the South West was not just about those in the room leading by example but how everyone who works for the South West is a leader, that’s a leader of self or a leader of others.

Linda talked about the importance of having a strength-based culture and how if we, the South West, were going to be national leaders in rural and remote healthcare then the South West HHS work place

should be an environment where all staff feel safe, engaged, and driven to lead. Linda shared upcoming changes to the Capability and Development Learning Agreement (CDLA) tool and process and discussed the strong consultation and engagement that had been occurring with staff to co-design and develop the new tool and process.

The main session for the Forum was led by Strategic Momentum Group’s Anna Waters and Katie Eckersley and was all about leaders giving their insight and input into developing the South West Leader Landscape.

They talked about the importance of having a healthy leader landscape, underpinned by an evidence-based framework which they have been able to implement successfully across other health services.

For this to happen the leaders had to go through and understand the key principles of this approach, embrace the South West’s future priorities, leadership standards and the South West values.

Time was spent reviewing the South West Leadership Standards and Leadership Dimensions by breaking into groups and brainstorming.

Moving forward, the Strategic Momentum Group will present the final Leadership standards and dimensions and training for the new performance conversation tool to the SLF in December.

The knowledge and learnings from our Senior Leaders will filter through and enhance the South West.

This Forum should also encourage all our future leaders, that as an organisation you will be supported to grow and develop while in the South West.

We can all be inspired by and affect the future of healthcare in our region.

S O U T H W E S T M E D I C A L W O R K F O R C E G O E S F R O M S T R E N G T H TO S T R E N G T HAcross the South West, there has been a growing trend this year in terms of securing regular locums and recruiting permanent doctors to the Health Service.

South West’s Executive Director Medical Services, Dr Tim Smart, said they were hoping this trend continued into 2020 and beyond.

“We hope to maintain this progress we have made in building and stabilising our rural workforce in the South West,” Dr Smart said.

“We are now fully recruited to all our precinct hospitals (Roma, Charleville and St George) with the appropriate advanced skills and skill mix required for them to function effectively.”

Dr Smart said the South West was very fortunate to have permanent doctors at Surat and Mitchell as well.

“We are actively recruiting to have a second SMO (Senior Medical Officers) at each of these hospitals and at present we have a good candidate for Surat,” he said.

“In our other hospitals, mostly single MO (Medical Officer) positions, we have been very fortunate to have the services of regular locums. Some of these groups of regular locums have serviced the hospitals they work at for years, for example at Injune and Augathella Hospitals.

“In 2019 we have additionally been successful in obtaining regular locums for Cunnamulla, Mungindi and Dirranbandi and more recently an experienced locum who has worked at Dirranbandi this year has asked to be considered for the permanent position there.”

Dr Smart said it was excellent to see high levels of satisfaction with the doctors and their services in the communities where the regular locums have been present.

“Very few of our senior medical officers (SMOs) are recruited through conventional advertising but rather through

personal contacts, networking with training schemes and trainees and doctors who have rotated to the precinct hospitals as juniors from the Metro Hospitals or worked for us as locums,” he said.

“We work with GP Registered Training Organisations, the workforce team at the Rural and Remote Clinical Support Unit, regional hospitals and other representative bodies so we ensure that all junior doctors are on rotation with the South West.

“The lifestyle afforded to them in the rural regions, coupled with this satisfaction with their work is very high on the list of the incentives for them to work rurally.”

“Partner satisfaction, lifestyle opportunity, the opportunity to get meaningful work and the hospitality and inclusion of them in the communities is critical to the recruitment of suitable doctors.

“We, in the South West strive to set the benchmark for improving health outcomes in rural and remote areas. By connecting healthcare professionals, research groups, Queensland Health, government bodies and local communities at a human level, we enable the creation of a shared vision that gives everyone the opportunity to understand, take ownership of, be inspired by and affect the future of healthcare in the region.”

Dr Tim Smart

20 South West Hospital and Health Service The Pulse October 2019 21

W O R K I N G H A N D I N H A N D W I T H P R I M A R Y H E A LT H N E T W O R K TO H E L P O U R CO N S U M E R S

Residents joined for two community information sessions on how the $98.1 million new Roma Hospital was tracking at the Cultural Centre in Roma recently.

Those who attended the information sessions were treated to a photo slideshow, as well as a virtual walkthrough of the new hospital prepared by the project architects.

South West’s Chief Executive Linda Patat said now that the scaffolding was being removed, Roma residents could see more clearly the shape of our new hospital.

She said the information session provided them with a great insight into how the new hospital’s interior would look once completed.

Ms Patat said the Roma Hospital project had been a driving force in boosting the local economy, employing more than 60 locals and injecting more than $4 million directly into the Roma community through engaging local companies since major construction started last year.

Once completed, the new three-level Roma Hospital will provide 22 beds and two birth suites, with departments including emergency, allied health, medical imaging,

inpatient wards, pathology, medical records and central sterilising.

Additional facilities to be delivered include theatres, a mortuary, reception, administration areas, staff lounge, training rooms, laundry, kitchen, a cafe and plant rooms.

Two new car parks are also included as part of the project which will provide over 220 free parking spaces for hospital visitors.

The construction works are being undertaken by Watpac.

The redevelopment is part of the Queensland Government’s $180 million Enhancing Regional Hospitals program and will create more than 340 direct and indirect jobs throughout the construction process, upskilling local workers and engaging with local industry.

FORUM UPDATES RESIDENTS ON NEW ROMA HOSPITAL

South West Hospital and Health Service, together with Western Queensland Primary Health Network and North West and Central West Hospital and Health Services, recently signed a Project Plan to jointly develop HealthPathways for the Western Qld region.

HealthPathways is an online resource designed for use by clinicians at the time of consultation.

An online HealthPathways portal contains localised pathways of care to assist GPs and primary care clinicians to make decisions in the assessment, management and referral of patients. Each Pathway is an agreement between primary and hospital services on how patients with particular conditions or symptoms will be managed.

The content of each Pathway is tailored to reflect best practice and local management and referral/support options. HealthPathways will be used to publish Clinical Prioritisation Criteria (CPC) and will support the introduction of GP Smart Referrals.

Local applications of HealthPathways are available already

in most areas of Queensland, with over 40 regions across Australia, New Zealand and the UK using this resource currently.

FEATURES

Collaboration of WQPHN, NWHHS, CWHHS and SWHHS

Will be available for all clinicians and health communities of Western Queensland

Complements other initiatives (e.g. WQ Health Care Homes, Clinical Prioritisation Criteria)

Helps to direct patients to the RIGHT care at the RIGHT time

Assists in decreasing variability in patient care

Vehicle for distribution of health information e.g. health alerts, emergency information

Next StepsWestern Queensland HealthPathways aims to go live in mid-2020 with a set of localised pathways which

will be continually expanded over time. Advice and input from GPs, hospital clinicians and other health professionals working in western Queensland is vital to achieve HealthPathways.

FROM LEFT: Jane Hancock (CE

Central West), Linda Patat (CE

South West), Stewart Gordon

(WQPHN CEO) and Lisa Davies

Jones (CE North West).

22 South West Hospital and Health Service The Pulse October 2019 23

Described by his peers as a ‘highly valued and respected member of our staff and community at large’, is among the many reasons why Bruce Albeck has been nominated as October’s #SWspirit recipient.

Bruce is the man behind the beautifully kept Wallumbilla Community Clinic.

He creates and maintains the aesthetically pleasing workplace for his colleagues and the community of Wallumbilla, Yuleba and Jackson and surrounds who utilise the Clinic.

According to one of his colleagues ‘Bruce is always happy to help, never idle and generates a genuine conversation with anyone who walks through the Wallumbilla Community Clinic’.

“Bruce is an absolute pleasure to work with and has an integral part in the little Wallumbilla Community Clinic team that offers great service in a lovely environment.

“He is a highly valued and respected member of our staff and our community at large,” his colleagues said.

Bruce loves the community he lives and works in and will always go that extra mile assisting with community projects or helping those in need while asking for nothing in return.

He makes himself available for all working bees around town including the Wallumbilla Community Clinic gardening projects, mowing lawns and assisting our elderly to help them maintain their gardens and enabling them to stay home, be safe and enjoy their surrounds. He is happy to volunteer his own time to get a job done in his workplace so as not to disrupt clinic hours.

He happily keeps the 90-year-old building and garden in the most impeccable order with never a blade of grass out of place and he is currently extending it with two new garden beds. Bruce goes above and beyond in his role

and is always busy planning his next project to ensure the Clinic is maintained, cleaned and functioning to its highest standard.

He is practical in his ideas and resourceful in all his projects within our community and workplace. His unspoken motto of ‘Ideas into Action’ has really inspired so many of his colleagues and the community.

Congratulations Bruce. You are a very deserved recipient of the #SWspirit as you have taken ownership of your position and put our South West Values of Quality, Compassion and Engagement into practice every day. You inspire many by going above and beyond which is what which is what delivering healthcare in the South West.

#SWSPIRIT RECIPIENT

B R U C E A L B E C KWell, what a wonderful night was had by all at our Annual Staff Awards evening on Monday 28 October, 2019 at Roma’s Explorer’s Inn.

More than 120 staff, Community Advisory Network members and our key partners and dignitaries joined to celebrate the wonderful work our colleagues do every day.

South West’s Chief Executive Linda Patat said it was always a pleasure to spend time together, to reflect on the year that was, and to acknowledge and recognise the committed, skilled and dedicated work our people are involved in every day.

“You truly make a difference in your local communities - and it is now - in this generation - that we will turn the trajectory of the 10 year life disparity in the health of our local community members, and in doing so lead the way in rural and remote healthcare in Australia,” Linda said.

Each award category was heavily contested with over 70 nominations received. Below is a list of our finalists and winners for each category. And there are plenty more pics on the South West Facebook page!

QUALITY AWARD Catherine O’Connor Maryrose Baker Dr Alan Richardson … and the Winner of the Quality Award - Joanna Tutt

COMPASSION AWARD Karen Brown Kym Duncan Mental Health Team - Laura North and Kim Taylor Natalie Leith ...and the Winner of the Compassion Award - Charleville Home and Community Care Team - Judy Frousheger and Carmel Pfingst

ACCOUNTABILITY AWARD Bollon Community Clinic Team Kimberley Clark … and the Winner of the Accountability Award - Jeanelle Everitt

ENGAGEMENT AWARD Ella Carmody Sally Gordon … and the Winners of the Engagement Award - Indigenous Health Team - Patricia Morris and Barry Boland AND Dr Sonya Manwaring

ADAPTABILITY AWARD Bollon Community Clinic Team Rebecca Southern Community and Allied Health Administration St George - Robyn Smith and Tanya Lawson … and the Winner of the Adaptability Award - Jeremy Kunde

JIM AND JILL BAKER AWARD Karen Brown Beth King Bridget Dickinson … and the Winner of the Jim and Jill Baker Award - Perioperative Services - Sharon Edwards and Annette Jensen

COMMUNITY VOLUNTEER AWARD Ann-Maree Attwooll Keith Codrington … and the Winner of the Community Volunteer Award - Bollon - Community Advisory Network - Alex Donoghue and Jane Kirby

BOARD CHAIR’S AWARD Peter Bradford

SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARD Dr Cameron Bardsley

To every nominee, and to our Finalists and Winners - Congratulations!

Linda urged everyone to take a moment and reflect on the difference you all make, and the ultimate honour of being held in the highest regard by your colleagues.

“Again, thank you everyone for your continued support and commitment to our mission. You are truly a talented group of people who I feel humbled and privileged to work for,” she said.

S TA F F AWA R D S 2019

The Pulse October 2019 2524 South West Hospital and Health Service

N E W R O M A H O S P I TA L U P DAT ECommissioning Update

The focus of commissioning activities in October has been to progress the Move Readiness Plans for all functional areas. These plans provide the information from each department on their move requirements and any service impacts that may arise during the actual move period. All functional departments now have draft Move Readiness Plans completed.

The other main focus has been on developing a final draft consult room schedule for Ambulatory Care services. This is a complex body of work that is being prepared in collaboration with the Commissioning Leads from Adult Health, Child Health, Mental Health and the hospital specialist outpatients.

Work has also commenced on reviewing operational procedures to ensure that existing procedures are suitable for the new hospital environment.

The regular site tours for staff have proved very popular with all tour dates completely booked through to Christmas. These have provided staff with the opportunity to visit all areas within the new hospital, many of which are now sheeted with services, cabinetry and flooring in place. Tours will recommence on Wednesday 8 January 2020.

To book a tour please email Kirsty.dykes@health.qld.gov.au

Construction Update

• The Emergency Department and Imaging Department have had joinery and internal glass windows installed.

• Works are continuing with a focus on internal services and fit out works, works to plant rooms and cladding.

• Rough in works continue to all available areas. Sheeting of walls and ceilings are ongoing and floor finishes have commenced.

• The foyer ceiling has been installed.

Patient bays in Stage 2 Recovery Medical Imaging reception

Enclosed emergency room

Celebrating South West staff awards 2019

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