HMC/SickKids International Partnership

New Website
The HMC/SKI Partnership Project proudly launched its official internal and external website in April 2013; while ‘Children First’ provides readers with new updates and news feeds, the website acts as a constant source of information. The website is accessible to both staff and the public, keeping them posted with the latest task force updates and project news, whilst introducing the partnership to new audiences, and providing them with detailed background information about our extensive range of projects. Access the website regularly where you can find information including task force members, monthly status reports and Terms of Reference. As well as task force information, those who visit the site can read about the project team in our biography section, find out about upcoming events, education programs, read any related press releases and flick through our extensive photo albums. Please feel free to visit the HMC/SickKids Partnership Website by clicking the link HMC/SickKids Website and let us know your feedback by emailing hmcski@hmc.org.qa

Farewells and Welcomes
The project has bid farewell to four team members since the last issue. Ms. Nicky Brookes, SickKids Program Manager, and Ms. Cynthia Varghese, HMC Senior Project Coordinator, returned to their homeland of Toronto, Canada in June. Nicky will be going back to clinical practice and her passion for Occupational Therapy, whilst Cynthia will continue her success within Healthcare Management. Ms. Asha George, Secretary, left the project in August in order to spend more time at home with her children and Ms. Emily Highton, Project Coordinator, will be returning to the UK in September to further develop her career experience working for healthcare organizations. Whilst it is sad to say goodbye to excellent colleagues, we are pleased to see that they leave HMC with great experience and that we have played a part in their career journey.


Left to right: Ana Khan, Mabel Mohan, Kruti Shah and Darlene Borromeo

With goodbyes come new faces also, and we have two new Project Coordinators who have joined the team this summer, Ms. Ana Khan and Ms. Mabel Ann Mohan, Ms. Kruti Shah has joined us a Senior Project Officer. We also have a new Senior Secretary, Ms. Darlene Borromeo. We are delighted to welcome them to the project team.

IHI Conference
On 17 to 19 May 2013, the HMC/SickKids Partnership Project Team attended the much anticipated Middle East Forum on Quality Improvement in Healthcare at the Qatar National Convention Center. Sponsored by the Institute of Healthcare Improvement in collaboration with Hamad Medical Corporation, the two day event consisted of learning labs, workshops and key note addresses delivered by international experts and speakers. The forum aimed to bring together excellent healthcare leaders from across the Middle East to make a significant and lasting contribution to healthcare improvement.

Not only were the project team excited to be in attendance but we were given the opportunity to showcase how the partnership has improved pediatric healthcare via the use of storyboards.

The project team were provided with storyboard templates and were asked to provide background information and evidence that supports quality improvement in health care. The team chose to showcase the work of the pain management awareness initiative, the work of the IV Therapy Team and Early Intervention Team and the success of the Complex Care Clinic.

The Project Team were extremely impressed with the format and content of the conference. On behalf of the team, ‘Children First’ would like to sincerely thank the HMC Organizing Committee and Institute for Healthcare Improvement for delivering such an inspiring event.

If you are interested in viewing our IHI Storyboards, they are available in PDF format on our website under the task forces tab http://hmcsickkids.hamad.qa/en/task_forces/task_forces.aspx

We Have Moved
The HMC/SickKids partnership office has relocated to the prestigious office and retail complex known as Barwa Tower in one of Doha’s leading business addresses, located in Al Sadd. Our new offices are located on the 19th floor of Tower 3, with wonderful views overlooking the Corniche on one side and views of the city of Doha on the other.



Moving in: our first day at Barwa Tower 3!

Our Office Manager, Ms Reshma Smit, has led the relocation extremely efficiently. The team were very proactive de-cluttering their offices in preparation for the big move.

The new offices are open plan and the tidy office and desk policy has already been implemented.


Moving in: Team members Ana and Kruti unpacking

On behalf of the HMC/SickKids Partnership, ‘Children First’ would like to extend our gratitude to Mr. David Highton, HMC Executive Director for Corporate Development, Mr. Shaun Attwood, Project Manager and their relocation teams for all the support pre and post the move.

HMC/SickKids International Partnership Project Annual Retreat
Our Project Team Annual Retreat will take place on 4 November 2013. The aims of the retreat are to:

• Review project successes and challenges of year four of the partnership (2013)
• Establish priorities for year five (2014)
• Develop work program for 2014
  

The event will be facilitated by Ms. Cindy Bruce-Barrett from SickKids International.