Welcome to Mater's website. On this site you can find out more about our Mission, our Values, and our Vision. These three elements are this organisation's inspiration. They define what we do, why we do it and how we do it. The "it" is health care, across a myriad of specialities, a widely-spread, diverse population and a range of different iconic hospitals and community services. Each has a passion for exceptional service and a commitment to the highest standards of quality and safety.

On this website you can find out about the basis for this inspiration—Mater's founders, the Brisbane Congregation of the Sister of Mercy.

2008 in retrospect

For the clinicians, 2008 has been a busy year attending with care and compassion to even more patients than 2007. For the support staff who make it possible for the clinicians to do their work, 2008 has been a time of significant change, especially with the implementation of many new systems and processes. Commissioning the new Mater Mothers’ Hospitals was a major milestone, as was the expansion of Mater Children's Hospital to accommodate the Qld Paediatric Cardiac Service. For the Board and senior leadership, 2008 has been a year navigating uncharted waters—Queensland Children’s Hospital Agreements with State Government; development off Mater Hill; and the passage of the Mater Public Health Services Act amongst many other innovations. All of these initiatives have been undertaken with a view to providing exceptional care to meet the needs of our changing community.

2008 also felt different. As a community of people, Mater staff worked more collaboratively with each other. It seemed to me as though the great majority of staff embraced the Mater Values in their relationships in the workplace. Different opinions were listened to with respect. They were debated, discussed and resolved with the greater good, not self interest, in mind. This is not to say 2008 was perfect by any means, but if "culture" is defined as “the way things are done around here” then it seemed to me as though our organisational culture is in good health.

As a self-confessed relentless optimist, and also burdened with the popular point of view that CEO’s are the last to know what is going on in “the real world—at the clinical coalface” , I am prompted to ask whether there is any evidence to support my opinion about the Mater "culture". There is. The 2008 Mater staff survey contained some important feedback from the “the real world”. I particularly thank the many staff who responded to the invitation to put a "Message in a Bottle" to the Executive Team and to me. I have learned many things from these messages.

First, there was a theme around trust. The candid nature of some messages were a good indication that people thought they could express an opinion, sometimes strongly—that takes trust. A number of staff called for more obvious expressions of trust in the knowledge, skill and judgement of front-line staff—more consultation, more involvement in understanding what really goes on every day and in the ways to improve staff conditions and patient care.

Second and somewhat related to the first point, was a call for me and other senior staff to spend more time “out and about”. Staff noted that to really understand their issues and ideas, they need an opportunity to meet, to discuss and to inform their leaders. In response, my resolution for 2009 is to extend my daily “wander around the campuses” to a more regular, organised visit to individual departments and work sites.

Third, there were hundreds of insights into what really goes on at Mater and some great suggestions for change and improvement. Predictably, some of the ideas were contradictory. For example, some staff would welcome more supervision and support, others commented on too many administrators.

Some of the practical themes from the "Messages in a Bottle" included:

• concerns about physical working conditions in Pathology, the kitchens, Level 1 Mater Adults Hospital Medical Records
• a plea to fix the problems of exiting from the Allen Street Carpark
• a request for back of house staff to spend a day a year in the clinical world (and, I would add, vice versa)
• continue to work to reduce the “them and us” mentality based on public and private services
• repeat the staff survey annually
• ensuring the Catholic/Mercy Tradition and Values are always at the forefront, or underpin, organisational AND personal behaviours
• improving management skills of team leaders
• more rapid and visible progress on environmental issues—recycling, waste reduction, energy and water conservation
• fix the payroll system issues.

Each of these issues, and many more practical "one-off" suggestions, are being addressed. I will report monthly on the progress at the State of the Mater meetings and ensure the written summary of this forum and progress on the issues raised by staff is on the intranet for your information and comment. Some of the time at every State of the Mater will be devoted to attending to the practical “why don’t they…” ideas.

I would like to thank the many staff who took the time to complete the staff survey. Thanks particularly for my “Messages in a Bottle”. I look forward to acting on your suggestions throughout 2009 and into the future—and if you think I’m not, feel free to ask me why.

In closing my “Christmas Message in a Bottle” to staff, may I also say thanks to the staff who wrote messages of support to me and to members of the executive team. While some are change weary, most staff seem well aware of the many changes in our society which impact on Mater—demographic change, economic turmoil, changing government priorities and programs, and the ever constant mandate we have at Mater to change in response to community health care needs. It’s hard but very satisfying work for us all, whether at the clinical coal-face, in support services or at the board table. At the end of 2008, and looking into 2009, you have many reasons to be proud of your achievements. I appreciate the dedication, hard work and commitment Mater staff have to providing the best possible patient care and in doing so in a manner which continues the Mission and values of the Sisters of Mercy. I think that we have each done our bit to set the Mater organisation in fine state to do even more amazing things in the coming years for our patients.

I hope you and your families have time together for rest and relaxation over the Christmas—New Year period. Please create an opportunity for some peaceful and personal "time out" to recharge your personal energy too. Health care is immensely rewarding but also demanding physically and emotionally. 2009 promises to be another busy year. Have a safe, happy and holy Christmas.

Dr John O'Donnell
CEO, Mater Health Services