Helen Boocock, Executive Director, STARS
This coming Wednesday 2 November, Metro North Health’s Chief Executive, Jackie Hanson and Chief Operating Officer, Jane Hancock will be holding a Listening Post at STARS on Level 3 in the public realm, from 1.30pm-2.45pm.
If you have any ideas on how care could be improved, would like to share some of our successes, or any suggestions or comments, this is a great opportunity to speak to Jackie and Jane directly. They would love to hear from you, even just drop by to say hello!
Get Ready for storm season
Last weekend we had our first taste of the upcoming storm season for South-East Queensland. It was a timely reminder of the importance of being prepared for the extreme weather events that we inevitably experience in this part of Australia. This includes not just dealing with floodwaters and storm damage but also road closures, transport delays, picking up children from school early and power outages. I would encourage everyone to visit the Get Ready Queensland website and take the three easy steps:
- Understand your risk
- Prepare a household emergency plan
- Pack an emergency kit
Launch of the Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan
This week I had the great pleasure of attending the launch of STARS’ Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan (our RAP). Endorsed by Reconciliation Australia, STARS’ RAP details a commitment to reconciliation and improving the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. The event also featured the launch of the RAP artwork, created for STARS by Elaine Hegarty-Chambers from Cultural Edge Designs.
I would like to thank everyone who contributed to the Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan, in particular the STARS RAP Working Group and our Indigenous Health Service team. Thank you also to all the Managers across STARS for releasing staff who identify as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander to attend the launch. It was wonderful to see you all there.
High demands for care across Metro North
With COVID-19 cases reducing, there was perhaps a hope that our health system would be under a little less pressure and our beds a little less full. This has not been the case; we have high demand for services continuing across Metro North. For many at STARS, 2022 is proving to be a long year. I think we’d all agree everyone is feeling some fatigue and many of you are looking forward to a break over Christmas and New Year. As we approach the two last months of the year, I would like to thank each and every one of you for your dedication and commitment to STARS, our patients and community, and for all the amazing work you do here.
Christmas decorating competition
Hopefully, this next news will give everyone a bit of extra motivation for the months ahead. After an impromptu Christmas decorating competition last year, I am pleased to announce that this year STARS will have an official competition with a winner’s trophy and prizes! The theme will be ‘A Starry Christmas‘ and the winner will receive a sweet treat hamper and, best of all, the opportunity to nominate next year’s theme (and get an edge on the 2023 competition). There will be a registration process this year so look out for upcoming information. I look forward to seeing all our team and areas getting into the Christmas spirit.
Best wishes and look after yourselves over the next few weeks.
Helen