MINISTER for Health Steven Miles paid his first visit to Wide Bay recently, getting to see some work up close both with patients and community partners.

The Minister visited Maryborough Hospital first, where he spent some time learning about the work being done by the Ward 3 multidisciplinary team with elderly and confused patients.

Nurse Unit Manager Kym Pointon explained the new model of care that been implemented in the past 18 months, focusing on the person and not the diagnosis.

“It’s important for us to identify as much as possible about the patient in their first 24–48 hours of admission – their preferences, dislikes, how they functioned prior to admission,” Kym told the Minister.

“Learning about them as individuals is an important first step because it allows us to start conversations about topics that hold real meaning for them.”

Kym and Allied Health Assistant Bridie White also presented the outcomes so far of their collaborative work to the statewide Clinical Excellence Showcase last week.

The Minister then travelled up to Bundaberg, where he met with Board

Chair Peta Jamieson and Chief Executive Adrian Pennington, as well as Chairs of WBHHS’s Community Reference Groups.

He also met Bundaberg couple Kylie Potter and Jason Glanville, whose twins Ben and Ella had used the highly specialised NeoRESQ service at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital after they were born at 24 weeks last year.

Board Chair Peta Jamieson said she was thrilled to welcome Mr Miles to Wide Bay for his first time as Health Minister.

It was great to be able to show him the breadth of amazing work being done on a number of levels across WBHHS, from true patient-centred care to strong community engagement,” Peta said.

“We look forward to future visits.”

If emails seem a little phishy...YOU might have noticed there’s a new “fish” at the top of your email screen.

The “Report Phishing” button on Outlook was launched across the state last month and, since its instalment, has already had more than 2158 clicks.

Remember to report suspicious emails only.

Some characteristics of suspicious emails include:

• incorrect or unknown reply to email address (eg. Telstra [mailto:jim@gmail.com])

• generic subject line (e.g. RE: Invoice or Dear Sir/Madam)

• urgent or unrealistic deadlines

• unprofessional grammar, wording and layout

• links/attachments (eg. docx, pdf or external website links).

Visit the Cyber Security’s QHEPS page for more email security tips.

Minister visits Wide Bay

APR 26, 2018

www.health.qld.gov.au/widebay

Minister for Health Steven Miles (second from left) visits Ward 3 at Maryborough Hospital. He is pictured with Kym Pointon, Bruce Saunders and Debbie Carroll.

Minister Miles with Kylie Potter, Jason Glanville and their twins.

What’s Inside l Dr Judy Williams honoured l Renal team learning to sign l Preparing to celebrate nurses l ICU celebrates 20 years l Psychs get on their bikes l Public Health’s smoking blitz l 60 seconds with Richard Culey l Education and training update

Board Chair Peta Jamieson addresses the audience at Maryborough’s Brolga Theatre.

STAFF and public consultations are now under way as part of the Wide Bay Hospital and Health Board’s Your Health, Your Say campaign.

The consultation campaign launched on April 9 and will go through until June 8, with 11 public and three staff consultation sessions throughout that period.

Last Friday, Board Chair Peta Jamieson and Chief Executive Adrian Pennington addressed the first staff breakfast session at Bundaberg Hospital, where more than 50 employees from across the organisation attended.

Two further staff sessions were delivered at Maryborough and Hervey Bay yesterday, where once again there was strong attendance and some excellent issues raised for discussion.

On Monday and Tuesday nights, Peta and Adrian also presented the draft plan to public consultation sessions in Maryborough and Hervey Bay.

“It’s been a great start to the consultation period,” Peta said.

We’re hearing a lot of interesting feedback and questions both from staff and members of the public, and we’re starting to see some common threads emerge throughout the process.

“This is why it’s so important for us to engage with our workforce and our community like this. We’re confident we’ve developed a robust draft strategic plan to meet the healthcare needs of our community, but we know we can improve on it with further input.”

Adrian said it was pleasing to see how well received the sessions had been so far.

“We’re in a different position compared to when we held these kinds of sessions on our last draft plan – our service delivery has improved hugely and the community has had the chance to see those improvements,” he said.

“But we know we can always do better, and we’ve had some really important feedback so far to help us do that.

“We’ve also had about 240 people fill out our survey online, which is a great start.

“We look forward to continuing this important engagement process over the next few weeks, with the help of other Board and Executive members.”

The next public consultation will be at the Bundaberg Multiplex on Thursday, May 3 from 5–7pm.

Staff and public have their say

Staff consultations at Bundaberg (top) and Hervey Bay.

Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service

The WIDE BAY Wave 2

BUNDABERG Hospital’s Clinical Director of Paediatrics Dr Judy Williams was recognised for her outstanding contribution to health care in Australia last week when CQUniversity presented her with a prestigious honorary doctorate.

Judy has dedicated 32 years of service to the Bundaberg Hospital Paediatrics Unit, treating thousands of local children and mentoring numerous colleagues who

have made significant contributions in their own careers.

“Judy has made a significant contribution to paediatrics locally in Bundaberg, but also nationally through the programs she has implemented, colleagues she has mentored and training she has provided,” WBHHS Chief Executive Adrian Pennington said.

“Our leadership team and staff are so proud of working with her and we are

ecstatic that she’s been recognised by CQUniversity with an honorary doctorate.”

Renowned as a trainer, Judy is an assessor for the Advanced Paediatric Life Support Australia (APLS) Program, created the WBHHS Outreach Paediatric Resuscitation Program for the region’s rural areas and introduced the Train the Trainer program to upskill junior doctors.

“I’m still overwhelmed by this honour because I feel I’m doing my job – which is to deliver the best-quality care to our patients, educate and support my fellow staff and to engage at a national and state level in the latest evidence-based medicine and research,” Judy said.

“I’ve had amazing clinicians – doctors, nurses and allied health staff – work alongside me who have moved our paediatrics unit and special care nursery forward. It’s been a privilege to work at Bundaberg Hospital, and with all the people I’ve worked with.”

CQUniversity Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Andy Bridges praised the contribution Judy had made on both a national and local level.

Dr Williams’ dedication to her patients and the community, including her role as a mentor in the field of paediatrics, demonstrate that she is a person CQUniversity is proud to acknowledge through an honorary degree of Doctor of the University,” Prof Bridges said.

Honorary doctorate for paediatric mentor

Dr Judy Williams is supported by colleagues Narelle Hills, Dr Matt Wakeley and Dr Chris Edwards as she is presented with her honorary doctorate.

Workshops help to boost engagementHEALTH Consumers Queensland spent two days with WBHHS earlier this month to run workshops in an effort to meaningfully boost community engagement.

Consumer Engagement Officer Christine Ilett said consumer engagement activities at WBHHS happened in various ways, including with individual patients and their family and carers; through participation in quality standards committees, Community Reference Groups and service design; and through

public consultation.

“The workshops were part of the Board and HHS’s commitment to partnering with consumers and improving our capacity for meaningful engagement,” Christine said.

“The first workshop was with members of the Board, Executive, Rural Directors of Nursing and Community Reference Group Chairs. The following day, a longer workshop was conducted with other representatives from the Executive, managers, the Primary Health Network, governance and consumers.

“It was valuable to hear about their journeys and draw on their experiences.”

Christine said there were plans to conduct

further education, engagement and interaction to ensure compliance with Standard 2: Partnering with Consumers.

HCQ’s Chelsea Gourgaud (far left) and WBHHS’s Christine Ilett (far right) are joined by local consumers as part of recent consumer engagement training.

Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service

The WIDE BAY Wave 3

Inspired by a deaf patient, the Hervey Bay Renal team are learning to communicate in a whole new way.

The Renal team noticed that a patient was not attending clinics as often as they should and observed communication was a barrier for him.

“The patient was allocated a nurse navigator and we were keen to be able to break down any obstacles in

communication,” said Patricia Ramsay, Acting Nurse Unit Manager.

“We approached an interpreter and he was happy to provide a ‘sign for dummies’ introductory course.

It is vital that we alter our care to suit the patient and this opportunity to learn some basic sign seemed essential. It gives the team an opportunity to learn a new skill and improve communication.

“It is not a full course by any means but it has given the nurses the basis to begin simple conversations with the patient.”

Members of the Hervey Bay Renal team have been learning Auslan, the sign language of the Australian deaf community, two hours a week for the past six weeks.

With the help of the interpreter, staff have learnt to sign social phrases, basic healthcare instructions and spell medical terms in Auslan.

Hervey Bay Hospital’s Renal team practice their Auslan sign language with interpreter Nicole Whyte (far right).

Lessons a sign of new levels of care

Every nurse is a teacher on International Nurses DayWIDE Bay Hospital and Health Service will celebrate International Nurses Day with events across our facilities and through awards for exceptional nursing teachers.

This year’s WBHHS International Nurses Day theme is Every Nurse is a Teacher and the WBHHS awards will recognise nurses who epitomise that in everyday practice.

Among the prizes will be registrations to attend the National Nursing Forum on the Gold Coast on August 28-30.

Judging criteria will be based on choosing a nurse who:

• Is dedicated to teaching, supervising and mentoring other nurses

• Inspires, promotes and sustains professional development of all nurses

• Is committed to best practice in nursing and sets a high standard for the quality of care in their area

• Holds close to their heart the standards of nursing practice.

To nominate a colleague, email nikki.goodwin@health.qld.gov.au and include how they are an example of a nurse who fits the criteria.

This year International Nurses Day falls on Saturday, May 12, so celebrations will be held on Monday, May 14.

Afternoon teas will be held at Bundaberg, Maryborough and Hervey Bay, while rural facilities will also hold events.

Attendees of the afternoon teas are asked to embrace this year’s theme by “wearing an old school tie”. Participants will have their names drawn from a hat for a prize.

Watch out for posters or in the next Wave for details about where the afternoon teas will be held.

Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service

The WIDE BAY Wave 4

Hervey Bay Hospital’s Intensive Care Unit has celebrated its 20th birthday since moving onto the site from Maryborough Hospital.

The ICU team celebrated with a cake, and staff reflected on the original transition and growth of the unit.

Charmaine Barnes, who is the last remaining original nurse among the ICU team, reminisced about the changes to equipment, resourcing, staffing, medical support and technology in the past 20 years that have changed workplace practices.

“Over the years many of our original staff have moved on and others have taken positions throughout the health service,” Charmaine said.

“Our unit has evolved into an extremely busy, challenging and amazing learning environment.”

Executive Director of Nursing and Midwifery Fiona Sewell, who worked in the Maryborough ICU before the transition to Hervey Bay, praised the leadership of former ICU Nurse Unit Manager Marilyn Jensen, who oversaw the move.

“Marilyn’s clinical ability and leadership was excellent. One of her passions was lifelong learning, though that is not what we called it in those days, and her standards were high so patients received excellent, quality care,” Ms Sewell said.

It’s not surprising that on the day where they celebrated their 20th birthday, the ICU team also spent time in education and training - which reflects their constant commitment to upskilling and refreshing their qualifications.

The 20th anniversary of ICU in Hervey Bay is a great time to recognise how much we appreciate the contributions of our education team and our ICU team to quality education and supporting the development of our nursing staff into skilled ICU nurses,” ICU Nurse Unit Manager Christine Jennings said.

“Being a regional hospital it can be difficult to recruit trained and qualified ICU nurses, so we are fortunate that the education team is an extension of the ICU, as all staff in the simulation team came from our ICU.”

Hervey Bay Intensive Care Unit celebrates 20 years

ICU staff celebrate 20 years since the facility opened in Hervey Bay.

Tony Connell and Her Excellency, the Governor of Tasmania, Professor Kate Warner.

Psychs on Bikes tourWBHHS Mental Health nurse and motorbike lover Tony Connell has recently returned from another bike tour with a strong focus on men’s mental health.

The nine-day tour, which the group calls Psychs on Bikes, went to Tasmania this year and Tony joined it while on long service leave.

The tour included men’s health checks at seven venues, a half-day conference, attendances at various events including a charity walk and a music festival, and a reception hosted by the Tasmanian Governor.

Tony, a Clinical Nurse, said the trip was arranged in conjunction with two other organisations, Rural Alive and Well (RAW) and Australian Rotary Health.

“It’s important to me not just to deliver mental health services as part of my everyday job, but also to help provide those services to people in more remote areas,” he said.

“Psychs on Bikes is a great way of reaching men in particular, who traditionally aren’t as good at taking care of their health, including their mental health.

“Plus it’s also a lot of fun. We only had a few motorbike mishaps – but I’m pleased to report that most of the damage done was to people’s pride.”

Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service

The WIDE BAY Wave 5

THE Wide Bay Public Health Unit will soon be on a mission to butt out smoking with a concerted enforcement blitz using on-the-spot fines.

As part of statewide tobacco legislation compliance, Environmental Health Officers will be undertaking an eight-week smoking compliance program across the region from April 30.

Wide Bay Public Health Unit Manager Wayne Ingall said the blitz would focus on “hotspot” areas where people tended to congregate and smoke, contravening legislation that was tightened last year.

“We’ll be targeting people smoking at transport waiting points such as bus

stops, building entrances, and within the 5m boundary of our hospitals.

“This will include our own staff, who not only need to respect the law but also need to remember they’re ambassadors for our health service.”

Wayne said a number of education and awareness initiatives had already been rolled out near Wide Bay hospitals, including the erection of no-smoking signs near hospital entrances and on benches, and the stencilling of no-smoking signage on footpaths.

“Warnings have also been issued both to patients and staff, but unfortunately this hasn’t worked,” he said.

A prescribed infringement notice, or on-

the-spot fine, will cost any offender more than $250 and no further warning will be provided.

Wayne said in the past two months, Environmental Health Officers from Public Health Units throughout the state had issued more than 100 fines as part of the compliance program.

Butts out across Wide Bay

Start your fitness journey by joining upgraded staff gymBUNDABERG Hospital employees who might be looking for an excuse to kickstart their exercise regime may be in luck – the staff gym has just been remodelled and refurbished.

OHS Officer Clint Simpson said the gym had been given a spruce-up in line with the HR team’s desire to emphasise physical wellness for employees as part of an overall wellness strategy.

Regular physical activity can relieve stress, anxiety, depression and anger. Without regular activity, your body slowly loses its strength, stamina and ability to function properly,” Clint said.

“So start your journey by joining the staff gym. The gym has been remodelled for space and equipment has been fully serviced, plus there’s a new area for stretching and floor exercises.”

Registration forms are in the gym. For more detail, contact Clint at clint.simpson@health.qld.gov.au.

Occupational Health and Safety Officer Clint Simpson and Director of Physiotherapy Jason Simpson check out the new equipment at the Bundaberg Hospital staff gym.

Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service

The WIDE BAY Wave 6

What’s OnApril 23-29: World Immunisation Week

May 1: Start of Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Month

May 1: World Asthma Day

May 5: International Midwives Day

May 6-12: Motor Neurone Disease Week

May 7-13: National Volunteer Week

May 12: International Nurses Day

Joke of the dayWe continue our run of mildly health-flavoured dad jokes.

I asked the doctor if he could give me something for my liver. He gave me half a kilo of onions.

How many optometrists does it take to change a lightbulb? 1…or 2? 1…or 2?

Richard Culey

Your role? Registered Nurse.

How long have you been with WBHHS? Three and a bit years.

How do you describe what you do? I work at Eidsvold Multi-Purpose Health Service, a rural hospital about 200km from Bundaberg. I do a number of different and varied tasks ranging from looking after several residential patients through to accident and emergency presentations. I’ve heard a rural nurse’s job being described as a ‘Specialist Generalist’, mainly because we can be surprised with just about anything presenting to the hospital.

What’s best about your job? It’s the small team that I work with that makes the work enjoyable. It’s the variety that keeps me on my toes.

When you’re not at work, you are… Watching too much TV, playing piano, driving and riding motor vehicles, volunteering with the local Rugby League Club and on Thursdays, if I’m not working, with family at the pub eating steak.

What do you enjoy about living in Wide Bay? I love that there are all sorts of scenery and activities to be done in the district. I like the occasional walk up a hill/mountain, swim at the beach, tour at the rum distillery, drive through the country, viewing the area from the top of the Hummock. Importantly there isn’t the rush that seems to permeate the larger cities; it’s slower and relaxed.

Tell us a fun fact about you. I like my ‘dad’ jokes a little too much. The urge to sing ‘the lion sleeps tonight’ is just a whim away, a whim away…

What was the last movie you saw? ‘Down Sizing’, ‘Love, Simon’, ‘Cars 3’ (Just in the last couple of weeks)

Tea or coffee? Cat or dog? Maroons or Blues? Neither Tea nor Coffee. Pet tree (less to clean up) although I do live with 3 cats. Maroons.

eHealth Expo ticketsTickets for Queensland Health’s eHealth Expo 2018, on June 7, are now available for Queensland Health staff.

This is the third year of the expo, which brings together thought leaders in the industry while also showcasing innovations already improving patient care in Queensland hospitals.

In addition to a great program of speakers, the expo includes a tradeshow and strong networking opportunities.

The eAwards winners are also presented during the event, celebrating individuals and teams advancing health care through digital innovation. Nominations are open now and close on May 9.

Register online and enter the code EHX18QH at the checkout stage to secure your complimentary ticket.

For information about the awards, go to the eAward QHEPS page.Variety and quieter

life a big drawcard

Richard Culey, Registered Nurse at Eidsvold

60 se

co

nds with ...

Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service

The WIDE BAY Wave 7

DID you know you can find courses in TrainStation by using the Find a Course field on the top Toolbar?

New courses are being added daily, from clinical through to safety and return-to-work modules. This month look for:

Blood-borne viruses: Transmission and DiscriminationThis online course will provide you with an overview of blood-borne viruses and the transmission risk for health workers.

Importantly, you will also learn about the legal requirements of disclosure.

Many patients with blood-borne viruses are discriminated against. From this course you will understand the implications for the patient, including health impacts and discrimination.

Management of Chemical SubstancesIf you manage chemical substances as part of your work activity, hop on to the Chemical Substances course in TrainStation.

You will learn about the processes for transport, storage and handling as well as emergency management.

Electrical SafetyThis five-minute online course details the safe use of electrical equipment in accordance with the relevant legislation.

All staff using electrical equipment in their workplace should remind themselves about electrical safety.

Rehabilitation and Return to WorkThis five-minute online course will provide line managers with the information to help staff who suffer a workplace injury and require rehabilitation and a return-to-work program.

To access these and other modules, click on the TrainStation icon in the Start Now menu or go directly there by clicking here.

Learn online with TrainStation

Contact WBHHS Education & TrainingPhone: Hervey Bay–4325 6104, Maryborough – 4122 8315, Bundaberg – 4150 2228 Email: WBHHS-ETR-Services@health.qld.gov.au

To access registration forms, training information or resources, go to the Education & Training Home page on QHEPS: http://qheps.health.qld.gov.au/scwbhsd/html/educ/etr_homepage.htm

Queensland Health Graduate ProgramAPPLICATIONS for the second intake of the Queensland Health Graduate program will close on May 2, 2018.

This program aims to build finance and general management capability across Queensland Health, with a focus on tackling the challenges faced in regional and rural areas of Queensland.

Graduates will be set up for success through a range of benefits including paid postgraduate studies, broad exposure to the healthcare system, access to senior mentors and a three year employment contract.

The program is open to both internal and external applicants who graduated in 2017 or who are due to graduate in 2018.

Placements will be offered to high performing, enthusiastic and motivated candidates. If you believe you have what it takes to be a future leader in health, you are encouraged to apply.

Visit the Queensland Health Graduate Program website for more information and to apply.

EDUCATION & TRAINING UPDATEThe WIDE BAY Wave

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Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service

The WIDE BAY Wave 8