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2018 Reflection from CEO Mater Health Sean Hubbard

Friday 14 December 2018

2018 Reflection from CEO Mater Health Sean Hubbard

The run-up to Christmas is a busy but fun time with numerous functions and get-togethers. This time culminates on Christmas Day which provides the opportunity to spend time with family and friends reflecting with thankfulness on the past year and making plans for the New Year ahead.

It was fantastic to see so many VMOs join the Mater Executive and Board at the 2018 VMO Christmas Party on Friday 7 December.  With record numbers on the night it was a good opportunity for colleagues and friends to unite as the year draws to a close.

While many Mater VMOs will hopefully manage to have some time off over the Christmas break there are also some who won’t. Essential hospital services do not stop for Christmas and neither do many VMOs who remain committed to meeting the healthcare needs of our community regardless of the date or time.

It has been another big year for Mater as we genuinely work together to align our ministries and work collaboratively with our partners to exceed the expectations of our consumers.  Mater Health has seen growth of 3 per cent in private activity over the past 12 months and 6 per cent over the past 24 months.  This is outstanding in contrast to many segments of the private healthcare market.

Other highlights from 2018 include:

  • We launched our new brand and Mater Group strategy. Our strategy outlines how we are adapting to our rapidly-changing world. It identifies the strategic priorities that will allow us to meet our goals and empower people to make better healthcare choices, every day.
     
  • Mater’s first awake craniotomy was performed at Mater Centre for Neurosciences
     
  • A private renal dialysis service was established on the Mater South Brisbane campus
     
  • Mater Hill West was established as a dedicated patient car park
     
  • A dedicated NCCU private parent lounge, bedroom and quiet room was opened at Mater Mothers’ Private Brisbane  
     
  • Justin Greenwell was appointed as Director of Private Hospitals and Deputy CEO of Mater Health to provide a key contact point for Mater VMOs

 

As we move towards 2019 we look forward to the commencement of our new Mater Group CEO Dr Peter Steer, who will return ‘home’ to Mater in January 2019. Early in 2019 we will release our 2018 annual report on the safety and quality of our services.  The report will reflect another excellent year of results and ongoing improvement on multiple fronts.

 A number of other exciting initiatives in the pipeline for 2019 include:

  • The implementation of a Queensland first patient entertainment and engagement bedside system ‘My Mater Bedside’
  • A dedicated day medical oncology unit and expansion of the rehabilitation gym at Mater Private Hospital Redland
     
  • Refurbishments across a number of buildings in South Brisbane
     
  • A new private young adult mental health service
     
  • Expansion of our Mater at Home services
     
  • Planning for a dedicated mother, baby, family unit to complement our iconic Mater Mothers’ services
     
  • Planning for Stage 2 at Springfield


None of the above would be possible without the dedication and commitment of our Mater VMOs. This commitment has been fundamental to Mater’s growth and development for over 100 years and our VMOs have had an immeasurable impact on our community, touching the lives of countless patients and their families. The years of training, late night phone calls, missed meals, teaching and mentoring, ward rounds, operating sessions and personal sacrifice are often unseen but always appreciated.

Without you our organisation simply cannot function and I thank you for your ongoing commitment to Mater and the healthcare needs of our community.

May the spirit of mercy be with you this Christmas.

Sean Hubbard
Chief Executive Officer
Mater Health

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