PULSE - southwest.health.qld.gov.au · At Surat, we met with CAN Chair, Councillor Wendy Newman and DON Skye Williams to discuss the . placement of the primary care clinic. Safety

Building better health in the bushSouth WestHospital and Health Service

Charleville youth to be immersed in dramatic arts thanks to HOPE PAGE 7

PULSEFebruary 2019 edition

This newsletter is produced by the South West Hospital and Health Service (South West HHS). All feedback and contributions are welcome to [email protected] published material has been approved by the Health Service Chief Executive.

Our Values

QUALITY COMPASSION ACCOUNTABILITY ENGAGEMENT ADAPTABILITY

Contents

South West Queensland Traditional Owners:Augathella - Bidjara (Bid-jara)Bollon - Kooma (Coo-ma)Charleville - Bidjara (Bid-jara)Cunnamulla - Kunja (Koun-yah) with other interestsDirranbandi - Kooma (Coo-ma)Injune - Kongabula (Kong-ga-bull-a) Bidjara & Yiman interests Mitchell - Gungguri (Gon-gari)Morven - Bidjara (Bid-jara)

Mungindi - Kamilaroi (Car-milla-roy) Quiplie - Bunthamarra (Bun-tha-mar-ra) & Wangkumara (Wong-ka-mara)Roma - Mandandanji (Mand-an-dand-gee)St George - Kooma (Coo-ma) with Kamilaroi, Mandandanji, Bigambul & Gungarri interestsSurat - Mandandanji (Mand-an-dand-gee)Thargomindah - Kullila (Cool-lee-lar)Wallumbilla - Mandandanji (Mand-an-dand-gee)

South West Hospital and Health Service | The Pulse February 2019 2

From the Board Chair Jim McGowan, AM page 3Board Out and About page 4From the Chief Executive Linda Patat page 5Committed to culturally safe care page 6Charleville youth to be immersed in dramatic arts thanks to HOPE page 7Healthy Communities: Banding together for a better BMI page 8Healthy Communities: Carnival brings footy fever to Charleville page 9Healthy Communities: Real world experience helps students improve young lives page 10Strengthening Partnerships: Working together to care for our kids page 11Your CAN Chair: #hellomynameis Wendy Newman, Surat MPHS CAN Chair page 12Our People: South West HHS leading the way page 13Generous donations unveiled in Dirranbandi page 14Bright futures await new health service recruits page 15Elizabeth McLean #SWspirit recipient for the month of February 2019 page 16New Roma Hospital update page 17

We would like to pay our respects to past Elders for passing down their cultural knowledge and for enduring hardship to create a better life for our generation. We will also pay our respect to the current and future Elders who will inherit the responsibility of keeping our culture alive and creating a better life for the generations to follow. We acknowledge all forms of government for the inherent rights of our people in the decision making in guiding us to better outcomes in employment, health and education which leads to a better quality of life, also knowing that there is still a lot to be done.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.

From the Board ChairJim McGowan, AM

3 South West Hospital and Health Service | The Pulse February 2019

The South West Hospital and Health Board met in Roma on Monday 4 February. The Board considered the operational plan and the performance of the HHS against that plan. Consequently, an important part of that meeting was an opportunity to reflect on the performance of the HHS in 2018 and identify the opportunities and risks in 2019. During last year, Linda and her team did an excellent job in inculcating our new values of Quality, Compassion, Accountability, Engagement and Adaptability and the expected personal behaviours, which describe those values.

It is important that we build a narrative which builds on this work; a narrative which has meaning to you and our patients, consumers and communities. I am attracted to a simple narrative such as: “We need to see our mothers, fathers, children and friends in the faces of all our patients and consumers and ask ourselves is this how we would want those loved ones treated.”

That simple statement would encapsulate all those values. However, you may have different suggestions. I would welcome them.

After the February Board meeting, Linda, Donna and I travelled to Mungindi to visit the Multipurpose Health Service there and particularly to thank Joan Brownlie OAM for her outstanding commitment as chair of Mungindi Community Advisory Network (CAN). Joan will continue to be involved. After that we visited Dirranbandi to thank Monica Hadenfeldt, who like Joan is stepping down as chair of the CAN but continuing as a CAN member. It was wonderful to meet with other members of the CANs of Dirranbandi and Mungindi, who attended these important occasions.

We also met with Mareea Lochel and Councillor Ian Todd to discuss progress with the Balonne Capability project, which is a joint initiative of the Balonne Council and the South West HHS to have locally led projects to improve the health outcomes in those communities. It was a pleasure to visit the St George Hospital to be greeted by new Director of Nursing (DON) Margaret Wedge. The commitment and enthusiasm of Marg for her new role were apparent. At Surat, we met with CAN Chair, Councillor Wendy Newman and DON Skye Williams to discuss the

placement of the primary care clinic.

Safety and quality are at the centre of what we do. You need to feel empowered to identify any circumstances where you think that safety of any patient or consumer might be compromised.

Similarly, we need to respond positively and with respect to community members who raise any safety or quality issues with us. These should not be seen as complaints, but rather insights and feedback that we want to know about. We should not be defensive about them, nor should we ask people to put things in writing or make it more difficult or more of an effort than to just have a conversation with us. Some may simply require an explanation, while others should be seen as indicators of ways to improve the delivery of our services as we strive to be a national leader in the delivery of health services to rural and remote communities.

~Quotes to consider~

Dean Koontz, American “thrillers” novelist (born 1945):

“Some people think only intellect counts; knowing how to solve problems. Knowing how to get by, knowing how to identify an advantage and seize it. But the functions of intellect are insufficient without courage, love, friendship, compassion and empathy.”

W Somerset Maughan, British playwright and novelist (1874-1965):

“It’s a funny thing about life; if you refuse to accept anything but the best, you very often get it.”

Board Out and About

Jim and Deputy Board Chair Karen Tully (left) meeting with Clinical Council representatives in Roma.

Jim having a yarn with Anthony Doyle OAM, member of the Mungindi CAN.

Proud to present: Jim was delighted to handover the Roma Hospital Compassionate Care pledge.

Monica Hadenfeldt (centre, front row) was thanked for her enormous contribution as Chair of the Dirranbandi MPHS CAN.

Joan Brownlie OAM (left) was celebrated in recognition of the time she volunteered as Mungindi MPHS CAN Chair.

All smiles: Jim presents St George Hospital with the Compassionate Care pledge.


From the Chief Executive Linda Patat

Guess where Linda has been in February 2019? Email your answer by Friday 15 March 2019 to [email protected]

It was lovely to be out and about in Mungindi, Dirranbandi, St George, Charleville, Augathella and Morven with Jim during February. The conversations we have with our staff and community are so valuable; they provide a great temperature check on the services we are currently delivering and what the health needs for that community are. It also provides a chance to inform and catch up on the initiatives underway in each local area. This month, with the Executive Leadership Team, I also met with our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Leadership Advisory Council, and our members from Clinical Council. These sessions were helpful to better understand our current service gaps and how we can strengthen and position clinical leadership as the bedrock of our organisation. These regular touchpoints will now form part of our full-day strategic Executive Planning and Performance Committee on a quarterly basis. Since the commencement of the year, we have gained traction with our Year of Healthy Choices and are hitting our strides with our ‘healthy community’ initiatives. We have profiled just a few of these initiatives in this edition of the Pulse to provide some added inspiration and to share the phenomenal work our teams are doing in supporting and leading. Thank you for working alongside your communities to bring partnerships and community-led ideas and goals to the forefront for the health of all. You will see more and more of these initiatives and ideas posted on our Facebook page – so if you aren’t already following us (and liking posts from your teams!) please jump on and connect so you can stay in touch. It would be great to have your families and friends connected as well … Go on – stop now and follow us! You will see this month, we were visited by Children’s Health Queensland. This was an important meeting to ensure we are planning and delivering the best network of universal and specialist services to children and their families across the South West. I would like to personally thank my colleague and HSCE CHQ, Fionnagh Dougan, and her team for the generosity of their time and the spirit of their visit, which was full of warmth, collegiality, partnership and respect for people living and working in the bush. As a result of this visit, we will be able to strengthen the way we plan for and deliver paediatric services. In March our Leadership Development Program starts,

with investment in and for our leaders, starting with a clear objective on the leadership skills needed to deliver on our values, vision and goals across the organisation. The behaviours of our leaders are what is important on a day-to-day basis – what we value, and what we don’t. Our leaders displaying care for our patients and our community; honesty and openness in their decision making; listening to new ideas and feedback; and generosity of their own time and efforts with the development and support of others. Each Senior Leader in the Program will be invited to sign a ‘compact’ outlining their commitment to the people they lead, and the program they are about to participate in. You too can support your leader’s development by getting involved; generating ideas; being willing to collaborate; being willing to lead initiatives; staying current; being open to new ideas; and treating others with the respect, care and compassion you too would like to be treated with. We learn by doing. We learn by trying. We learn by failing. And as we do so, we all develop skills. I know Jim likes to share a quote, and I look forward to seeing what he has selected each month. So, when I came across this one, I thought of Jim and of our current focus across the South West:

“No kind action ever stops with itself. One kind action leads to another. Good example is followed. A single act of kindness throws out roots in all directions, and the roots spring up and make new trees. The greatest work that kindness does to others is that it makes them kind themselves.” – Amelia Earhart Enjoy your work, and the teamwork you have with each other. The South West truly is the best place to live and work. I remain yours in serviceLinda

Where was Linda in January 2019?

Dirranbandi!There were no correct answers this month.


We are creating a healthcare environment that is welcoming and culturally safe and are committed to healthier futures for our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

As good as the Australian healthcare system is at responding to the healthcare needs of the majority of Australians, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people remain disadvantaged in accessing health services and experience significantly disparate health outcomes.

Cultural capability refers to the skills, knowledge, behaviours and systems that are required to plan, support, improve and deliver services in a culturally respectful and appropriate manner.

The South West Hospital and Health Service is committed to building a workforce with cultural capability at its core and all staff are required to complete our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Practice Program (CPP) within three months of commencing duties.

The course is made-up of an online training package and requires participants to attend face-to-face workshops delivered by our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Team.

Indigenous Health Coordinator Rodney Landers Snr said completing the course was a great first step to gaining a better understanding of caring for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients.

“I am very proud to say that the South West HHS has a 86 per cent completion rate for this course, which is one of the best in the state,”

Rodney said.

“Completing the course means our staff are aware of the health issues facing Indigenous Australians, the local context and what we are doing to close the gap on health inequality locally.

“We also share lots of local information about cultural trails and significant Indigenous sights you can explore in the great South West.”

The five fundamentals for communicating with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients and their families:

1. Acknowledge the patient and their family. Make them feel welcome and safe.

2. Ask: Are you of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander origin? Would you like to speak with an Indigenous Hospital Liaison Officer or Health Worker?

3. Take time to understand the situation. Do they have any concerns? Listen carefully and respectfully.

4. Speak clearly and with respect. English may be a second language. Don’t use jargon. Offer assistance with forms.

5. Inform the patient and their family of the process, procedures and timeframes.

Flags raised to commemorate anniversary of the National Apology

On 13 February our nation marked eleven years since the Australian Parliament made a formal apology to Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, particularly to members of the Stolen Generations.

In recognition of this significant milestone, and of our first nations people, the Australian Aboriginal Flag and the Torres Strait Islander Flag were flown on Australian and Queensland Government buildings and establishments.

Pictured are health service staff at the Roma Hospital commemorating the occasion.

Committed to culturally safe care


Next generation treated to cutting edge theatre training in the bush State high school students in Charleville are set to experience the art of contemporary physical theatre thanks to funding secured by the innovative HOPE program

HOPE – which stands for Harmony, Opportunity, Pride and Empowerment – is a South West Hospital and Health Service (South West HHS) youth focused initiative which has been operating since 2015.

Project Manager Miriam Airey said Zen Zen Zo, a leading Brisbane theatre company, would deliver four one-week workshops in each of the four school terms during 2019.

“We are thrilled to be bringing a drama program to the students of Charleville State High School and this has been made possible by a $20,000 grant from Arts Queensland’s Artist in Residence program,” Miriam said.

The Charleville State High School campus includes the School of Distance Education and Zen Zen Zo is keen to extend the program to include their virtual classrooms – meaning geographically isolated students don’t miss out.

Zen Zen Zo teachers are leaders in their field and the workshops will focus on physical and emotional awareness, building resilience, and encouraging

creativity and mindfulness.

“Physical theatre training will be provided first to build a strong foundation, this

involves exciting and challenging exercises that introduce key performance skills of energy, focus, physical and ensemble

awareness,” Miriam said.

Next students will be supported to practically explore the language and methodologies for devising and creating powerful stage imagery.

Finally, they will be guided through the process of creating, developing, rehearsing and directing their own theatrical work that will be performed for a school and community audience.

Zen Zen Zo’s practice incorporates ancient Asian dance-theatre traditions, the European avant-garde theatre movement, and contemporary pop culture, where sound, light, movement and spectacle communicate meaning and experience.

Bringing the passionate Zen Zen Zo team to Charleville will not only benefit the students but provide an opportunity for professional development to the teaching staff and delight the community with an amazing performance at end of the year.


Inspired to lead by example and embrace healthier choices, Injune Multipurpose Health Service staff are working together to lower their collective body mass index (BMI).

Last year 25 team members embarked on this exciting group challenge and are continuing their mission in 2019.

There is no individual naming or shaming – the only result shared within the group is the combined weight loss and resulting BMI of all participants each month.

Director of Nursing Shirley Tyrie said the team had successfully reduced their BMI’s and lost a total of 53kgs in 2018.

“It’s not all about shedding kilos, we are focused on leading a healthy lifestyle by making better food choices and getting more active,” Ms Tyrie said.

“We make sure to have healthy options at staff morning teas and lots of the team enjoy social sport like playing bowls together.

“It’s really brought everyone together and as healthcare professionals we are inspired to set a good example for others.

“Everyone works really hard to get our group BMI down and I am so proud of what we have

already achieved.”

BMI uses weight and height to determine whether an adult is within the healthy weight range, underweight, overweight or obese.

It provides an estimate of total body fat and your risk of developing weight-related diseases.

BMI is less accurate for assessing healthy weight in some groups of people because it does not distinguish between the proportion of weight due to fat or muscle, but is a useful tool for many.

Congratulations Injune MPHS staff, with the health service committed to 2019 as ‘Our Year of Healthy Choices’ – you are certainly leading the agenda for positive change!

Healthy Communities: Banding together for a better BMI


Charleville’s Adrian Vowles Cup was held in late February and was another huge success, congratulations to the organisers and all who took part.

The annual youth rugby league carnival had its biggest year yet, with 420 players in 28 teams from across the state taking part…what an effort!

A big thanks to our awesome staff and the HOPE

team for providing players and supporters with healthy choices information and sun safety tips throughout the event.

Charleville is set to be treated to more rugby league action, with the Queensland Maroons to launch their State of Origin preparations from the Charleville Showgrounds at a special fan day to be held on Tuesday 28 May.

Healthy Communities: Carnival brings footy fever to Charleville


Sue Eustace-Earle, Jenny Peacock, Jen Frazer and Tegan Russell keeping carnival goers sun safe.

The Charleville Community Blender Bike was put to good use with people peddling to make their own healthy smoothies.

League legend Petero Civoniceva enjoyed making a smoothie with the help of our team.

The team posing for a picture with cup namesake, rugby league icon and carnival organiser Adrian Vowles.

The South West Hospital and Health Service is developing an evaluation tool to measure the knowledge retention of children in early childcare settings who receive nutrition education.

Community Nutritionist Rohan Ballon said the evaluation tool was being developed with the help of university dietetics students undertaking placements in Roma.

Rohan said the development of the evaluation tool was the third stage of a continuous process to improve the delivery of nutrition and healthy eating education to young children.

“We have had a nutrition education program for young children in place in the South West since 2009 and we’ve been continuously evaluating it since then,’’ he said.

Originally, the program targeted prep school children and the first evaluation was designed to establish whether the same program would be suitable for an early childcare setting.

The evaluation showed the prep school program was not as appropriate for early childcare, so the team embarked upon the second stage of the process to develop an education program suitable for early childcare settings.

They are now undertaking a third stage whereby they are developing an evaluation tool to see if the early childcare program is working appropriately and achieving the aims they want it to achieve by increasing the nutrition knowledge of very young children.

“We expect to have the evaluation tool completed in the next few weeks and we will then run a pilot evaluation program around September to see if the early childhood nutrition education program is resulting in improved and expanded knowledge of nutrition basics amongst the children who take part,” Rohan said.

“The next stage after that will be to use the results of the evaluation to develop an education program that childcare centres can operate themselves.’’

Rohan said the program evaluation work being undertaken was a great learning experience for the university students involved.

Each year he supervises two to three sets of four to six student clinicians at a time on practical placement, where they work to help continuously improve community programs.

“The recommendations made by student placements last year have and will inform where we direct our efforts this year with these programs,” Rohan said.

“Supervising students provides a great opportunity to stay up to date with

technology being used in the field of nutrition and dietetics, and staying current

in emerging evidence-based practice.”

Bond University dietetics students Ashleigh McIntosh and Madison Smeltzer, who have just completed a placement in Roma, said they were both learning a lot by helping develop the early childcare education evaluation tool.

“It helps gain insight into the effectiveness of nutrition education and ensures that we are achieving what we have set out to achieve and justifies the time spent on nutrition education,’’ Ashleigh said.

“It can help us to determine whether changes need to be made or whether it is a good investment that should continue to be rolled out across the region.”

Ms McIntosh said the evaluation tool development project would be continuing on with the next group of student placements, while she and Ms Smeltzer went on to other placements in various areas of dietetics.

Healthy Communities: Real world experience helps students improve young lives


Rohan Ballon, Madison Smeltzer and Ashleigh McIntosh.

Strengthening Partnerships: Working together to care for our kids

A special visit from Queensland’s dedicated paediatric healthcare provider has further strengthened relationships and built closer ties between the city and the bush.

South West HHS was delighted to host representatives from Children’s Health Queensland (CHQ) who visited Roma in late January to learn how their services could best help local kids and their families.

CHQ Chief Executive Fionnagh Dougan and CHQ Executive Directors Clinical Services Dom Tait and Frank Tracey met with South West HHS Chief Executive Linda Patat, the South West HHS Executive Leadership team, staff from South West HHS Children’s Services, the South West HHS HOPE team, representatives from the Western Queensland Primary Health Network, Queensland Ambulance Service and other key stakeholders.

Ms Patat said the visit demonstrated CHQ’s commitment to collaborating with health partners to ensure safe, high-quality patient and family centred care was provided no matter the postcode.

“We were fortunate to have Fionnagh, Dom and Frank visit the South West and meet with our teams on the front-line of delivering services to some of our youngest residents,” Ms Patat said.

“They were able to hear directly what issues impact us most and how we are working hard to be a national leader in the delivery of health

services to rural and remote communities.

“I know our teams appreciated the opportunity to meet and we look forward to continuing to work closely with CHQ.”

With it being their first visit to Roma, local staff also made sure they were treated to the friendly country hospitality the South West is famous for and they even experienced a close-up encounter with some kangaroos!

CHQ is a specialist state-wide hospital and health services which cares for children and young people across Queensland and northern New South Wales.

CHQ aims to improve the health status of children and young people in Queensland, while safeguarding the equity of health outcomes and improving service access across the population.

Their five key health service directions are:1. Promoting wellbeing and health equity2. Improving service design and integration3. Evolving service models4. Delivering services closer to home5. Pursuing innovation.

The South West HHS is proud to have a strong relationship with Children’s Health Queensland and we are committed to working together to better support the healthcare needs and wellbeing of our local children.


CHQ Chief Executive Fionnagh Dougan and South West HHS Chief Executive Linda Patat.

Rohan Ballon, Madison Smeltzer and Ashleigh McIntosh.

Your CAN Chair: #hellomynameis Wendy Newman, Surat MPHS CAN Chair

It’s fair to say Surat’s Wendy Newman wears many hats. As well as being a Councillor on the Maranoa Regional Council and community volunteer with several local groups, Wendy has been advocating for her town’s health services for more than a decade. The Surat Multipurpose Health Service Community Advisory Network (CAN) has had an excellent 2018 and is focused on an even bigger 2019. Last year’s highlights included Dr Talia Trigger being appointed as the new permanent doctor and Dr Graham Michael continuing as the alternate doctor – both are very popular and respected members of the local health team. Wendy said last year the CAN were also very pleased to see building upgrades to the MPHS and staff quarters and additional equipment provided for X-Ray and ultrasound tests. There’s also plenty to look forward to this year, with a new doctors’ surgery about to be built next to the MPHS building.

The passionate CAN Chair said that currently to see a GP you need to go into the MPHS, so having a dedicated building would provide an added layer of professionalism and privacy, with the additional benefit of creating more space inside the current building for visiting services, inpatients and aged care residents.

“Even more importantly this level of investment into our local health services gives a feeling of security that they will not only continue to be available but will also continue to be enhanced and improved,” Wendy said. No matter where you live in the South West, Wendy encourages everyone to get to know their local CAN members and through them let their voice be heard on what they want and need in their local healthcare.

“I really feel the CAN process is so important in providing everyone in the

community with a voice and ensuring the specific needs of individual areas are able

to be addressed,” she said.

“To be effective CAN membership needs to represent the full spectrum of the community. In Surat our members include representatives from the local school, police, ambulance, sporting groups, local government, aged care services, Surat Aboriginal Corporation and the hospital auxiliary. “It’s your local voice – Queensland Health, through the South West HHS, are not trying to impose city-centric ideas and services on us, they are actively listening to hear our voices, our concerns and our issues and then they progress them.”


Our People: South West HHS leading the wayEmpowering our people through a strong culture of continuous learning, continuous improvement and connectedness is a core strategy of the South West HHS.

In 2019 we are focused on growing our people in bigger and better ways with the introduction of the innovative Lead4QLD program.

South West HHS is an equal first (along with the Department of Health Leadership Team) to procure and utilise the Lead4 Queensland program.

Created to help the Queensland public sector build empowered, insightful and capable leaders at all levels, sixty South West HHS Executive Leadership Team members and Senior Leaders have enrolled in the February cohort.

The interactive and engaging course focuses on developing leaders who are authentic and trusted, acknowledge and identify strengths and diversity and have the courage to make a difference.

The highly sought-after training opportunity is delivered by Hudson Talent Management

and provides participants with an interactive and engaging process built to challenge and empower them to pursue career pathways, new experiences, and growth opportunities.

Lead4QLD is the result of a collaborative design process, which involved a sector-wide project team working with Hudson to shape the future of leadership assessment and development in the Queensland public sector.

It is one of many ways the South West HHS is growing and developing talented staff.

How does Lead4QLD work?

Participants are invited to complete a range of activities that have been designed to specifically assess the competencies and behaviours identified in the leadership competencies for Queensland.

Activities include:• Online assessments• Face-to-face interactive engagements (where participants will have the opportunity to demonstrate how they approach realistic work-related activities).


Generous donations unveiled in Dirranbandi

The patient experience at Dirranbandi Multipurpose Health Service has been enhanced thanks to the fundraising efforts of the local hospital auxiliary.

Raising money year-round with everything from Bingo to a Melbourne Cup Luncheon, the group were proud to recently present a Nimbus pressure relieving air mattress and pump, and hover jack to Acting Director of Nursing Andy Hughes.

“We really appreciate the continued generosity of

the hospital auxiliary and thank the community for continuing to support them in supporting us,” Andy said.

“The new mattress will help reduce pressure injuries and the hover jack allows us to safely lift patients who may have fallen.

“These items will make a difference to the lives of those we care for and help make our jobs as clinicians easier.”


Andrew Hughes, Lynda Parbury (Auxiliary Treasurer), Trudy Stewart (Auxiliary President), Susan Burnett, Francis Hetherington (Auxiliary Secretary) and Michelle Hadenfeldt.

A warm welcome to the eleven new graduates who started their careers with the South West Hospital and Health Service in February.

After completing their orientation in Roma, they were assigned two each to our health facilities at Quilpie, St George, Augathella and Mitchell, and one each at Mungindi, Surat and Charleville.

They will be working in a variety of areas, including acute medical, surgical, emergency, aged care, community and primary health during their 12-month graduate transition program.

As in previous years, we will also be welcoming a second intake of graduates in August when we expect to take a further 10–15 graduates, depending upon applications.

Executive Director of Nursing and Midwifery Services David Tibby said over the past few years, the South West HHS had been experiencing a strong level of interest from new nursing and midwifery graduates in joining the health service.

“I think this is reflective of the fact the South West HHS is being viewed as an increasingly attractive area in which to pursue their careers,’’ he said.

David said this year’s February intake included one dual-trained registered nurse/paramedic, who would be based initially at Quilpie for six months, before rotating to the Queensland Ambulance Service at Roma for the final six months of his first year.

A second dual-trained graduate nurse was expected to be employed in the August intake also.

“These are nurses who have completed a dual degree in paramedicine and nursing,’’ David said.

“Upon completing their studies, these dual-trained nurses undertake the same 12-month graduate transition program as all our newly graduated nursing staff, except that their program will be split between the health service and the QAS, spending six months with each organisation.

“In many of our smaller, more isolated communities, the local ambulance services are actually operated out of the local hospital or health facility by hospital and health service employees.

“Our nurses staff these hospital-based ambulances, supported by a volunteer driver program coordinated by the QAS.

“As our nurses are first responders to an incident in these situations, it actually makes very good sense for them to have both nursing and paramedical skills.

“It’s also an attractive career option as it allows the successful graduate to choose a career either in nursing or paramedicine, and to swap over more easily later in their careers if they want a change.

“It improves the capacity of both the health service and the QAS to attract and retain staff as it gives staff more options for their future career progression.’’

Bright futures await new health service recruits


“Warm and friendly colleagues. An abundance of encouragement and support. A culture of continuous learning.”

These are the key ingredients that keep Surat Multipurpose Health Service team member Elizabeth McLean thriving at work.

It had been 34 years since Liz had called herself a nurse when she stepped through the doors of the Surat Multipurpose Health Service almost seven years ago.

Now a highly valued recreation officer and assistant-in-nursing, the vibrant and enthusiastic Liz had jumped at the opportunity to return to working in healthcare.

“It’s a very close-knit team at Surat MPHS and a great place to work, there’s such a strong focus on how we can continue to grow and improve things,” she said.

“I’ve been supported and encouraged to accomplish my career goals and have gained fantastic experience going on practicals at nearby towns.”

The mentoring provided within the South West Hospital and Health Service and in partnership with other health organisations has been an incredible opportunity for Liz to grow and develop her skills.

“I’ve shadowed other recreation officers to learn how they do their programming and how to best organise person centred activities,” she said.

“I absolutely love going on prac and it has been very beneficial, with lots of fresh ideas and approaches now implemented at Surat.

“I’ve also formed a friendship with another recreation officer and that has been such a great thing, to have that person you can share professional experiences with.”

Embracing the diversity of her work, an ordinary day for Liz can involve anything from working alongside the clinical team to crafting and cooking with the aged-care residents.

“Each day our amazing team at Surat try to do different activities and try to do person-centred things the residents are genuinely interested it,” she said.

“I find it very rewarding when I see a big ear-to-ear smile from a resident when they have been empowered by something we’ve done to add enjoyment to their life.”

Those who work with Liz applaud her for her ongoing dedication to providing compassionate care and to facilitating the ongoing interaction between the ‘old and young’ at Surat MPHS.

#SWspirit is a regular initiative to recognise staff who exemplify the organisation’s spirit through living our values in the way they work every day.

Elizabeth McLean #SWspirit recipient for the month of February 2019


In celebration of the arrival of the new Roma Hospital crane, in February South West Hospital and Health Service and Watpac put the call out to primary school students in the South West to Name the Crane.

Entry forms and details can be obtained from schools and kids have until Friday 8 March to submit their entry.

The winner will have their winning crane name displayed at the construction site and will receive an iPad kindly donated by Watpac.

South West Hospital and Health Service Chief Executive Linda Patat is encouraging all eligible children to let their creativity shine and submit an entry.

“Name the Crane is a terrific opportunity for kids in the South West to put their stamp on this historic project,” Ms Patat said.

“We are excited to be providing this opportunity to a local child and it will be fantastic to see what ideas they come up with.”

New Roma Hospital build progress

>>>7 out 12 ground slab pours are complete with structural vertical stair well walls commencing in what will be the new dental and

outpatient area.<<<

>>>Concrete column installation are continuing to be progress.<<<

>>>The installation of the tower crane has allowed construction to accelerate, making up for time lost to rain late last year.<<<


New Roma Hospital update: Local students invited to name the crane

Documents

PULSE - southwest.health.qld.gov.au · At Surat, we met with CAN Chair, Councillor Wendy Newman and DON Skye Williams to discuss the . placement of the primary care clinic. Safety