Dale Dally-Watkins, Acting Executive Director, STARS
Return to GREEN COVID-19 traffic light
On Wednesday we shifted from AMBER to GREEN in the COVID-19 traffic light system, due to decreasing community transmissions and hospitalisations for COVID-19. The main change is that staff are no longer required to wear a mask in low-risk areas of the hospital. Masks will still be required in high-risk clinical areas (currently Ward 6A). The STARS Key Leadership members along with Infection Management Prevention (IMP) will continue to monitor high-risk areas of the hospital. Masks will still be made available for those who choose to wear them.
While the community transmission of COVID-19 has decreased, it is no time for complacency. Please remember to stay home if you’re sick, maintain good hand and respiratory hygiene and take a RAT test if you have COVID symptoms.
New Year, new faces
Every New Year we welcome new faces at STARS across all professions. Whilst it is lovely to see new staff, it’s also a timely reminder of the importance of clear identification, and awareness of the role and scope of our new staff.
Please take time to:
- Introduce yourself and welcome our new staff and gain an understanding of their role and scope
- Wear your identification in a place that can be easily seen by others
- Assist where you can, to make the transition to our STARS facility a positive experience for all new starters
Level Up
Metro North have recently launched Level Up, the health service’s commitment to improving gender equality in the medical profession. Level Up aims to provide all junior doctors with the support and opportunities to reach senior positions over the course of their career, regardless of their gender. The program includes opportunities for mentoring, leadership development programs, and specific pathways for reporting discrimination, bullying and harassment.
Supporting medical professionals to excel in their careers is something we all have a role in, and I encourage you to become an ally to the cause. To find out more, including how to become a mentor or mentee, please visit https://qheps.health.qld.gov.au/metronorth/level-up
Chinese New YearThis Sunday, January 22, is Chinese New Year (Lunar New Year) with the occasion celebrated not only in China but also in Vietnam, South Korea and Singapore. The year 2023 is the Year of the Rabbit, which is considered the luckiest of all the twelve animals. I would like to wish everyone celebrating Lunar New Year good luck, prosperity and longevity for the year ahead.
Best wishes
Dale Dally-Watkins