Staff News

Surgical, Treatment and Rehabilitation Service
Staff Update

This week is Reconciliation Week, a very significant week for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. On Tuesday we held a Reconciliation Week event on level 7 at STARS, including ...

Next week, 27 May 2023 to 3 June 2024, marks National Reconciliation Week, a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore ...

Last Friday we celebrated International Nurses Day with a cake-cutting and morning tea on Level 3. It was fantastic to see so many of our nurses in attendance for the ...

Last week, I received my staff flu vaccination from our wonderful Infection Control Team. If you still haven’t had your flu vaccination, there is still plenty of time with vaccinations ...

It has been a very challenging week across STARS, with the recent passing of a valued colleague, Sean from 4B. I know this loss has been deeply felt by many. ...

It is with great sadness that I inform you of the death of a STARS nursing colleague in Ward 4B this week. Our thoughts are with his family and friends. ...

STARS was originally designed to be Queensland’s specialist rehabilitation facility and one of the largest in the southern hemisphere. Opening in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic meant that STARS ...

Last Wednesday we held a Staff BBQ for all staff, generously supported by the STARS Staff Council. It was very nice to see so many staff able to come to ...

Last Thursday in our fortnightly Staff Forum, we introduced the Metro North Disability Services Action Plan (DSAP). The DSAP outlines Metro North’s vision for a healthcare system that is inclusive, ...

On Friday 16 February we farewelled Peter Slattery, Director of The Rehabilitation Engineering Centre. It was wonderful to see so many of Peter’s current and former colleagues attending, either in ...

On Tuesday STARS hosted a Yarning Circle to mark the 16th anniversary of the National Apology to the Stolen Generation, delivered by former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd. The National Apology ...

We acknowledge the Country and Traditional Custodians for where our health services are located. We pay respects to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders, past, present and emerging.

Metro North facilities continue to be impacted by severe weather events, with recent heavy rain and flooding in the Moreton Bay area.

I firstly would like to thank everyone for their patience this week with the ongoing Queensland Health internet network issues. Technology is fantastic when it works correctly but certainly a ...

I hope everyone had a lovely holiday season and managed to find some time to recharge. For those who worked over the Christmas and New Year period, thank you so ...

I returned from five weeks leave last Monday and was delighted to see the beautiful Christmas tree on the Ground Floor, provided by RBWH Foundation. It is really in keeping ...

Judging for the Metro North Staff Excellence Awards has now been finalised with finalists being announced on Monday. The awards will be presented at the gala dinner on the 15 ...

On Wednesday, STARS was impacted by the Statewide ieMR log-in issues that occurred for the majority of the day. As Metro North’s only fully digital hospital, an outage of this ...

This week Metro North moved to Tier 1 in our Acute Respiratory Illness (ARI) response plan due to an increase in people presenting to emergency departments or being admitted to ...

Thank you again for being kind and accommodating as I walk through the facility learning about STARS and the great colleagues that work here. I have seen many wards and ...

Thank you to everyone at STARS who has made feel welcome during my first week at the facility. I will be in the Acting Executive Director role until Monday 4 ...

Nominations for the Metro North Staff Excellence Awards are now open. If you would like to nominate an individual or a team, send in your nomination before Monday 13 November. ...

Tomorrow, Saturday 14 October is Allied Health Professions Day. The theme for 2023 is ‘Stronger together’, highlighting the benefits of multidisciplinary team-based care. This theme is a fitting one for ...

This month we have recognised a number of significant health appreciation days, including World Sepsis Day (13 September) and R U OK? Day (14 September). Thank you to staff at ...

As you are aware, workers in Queensland Health healthcare facilities have been required to not attend work for a minimum of seven days after testing positive for COVID-19. The Communicable ...

Medical Leadership Intensive Program aims to develop the leadership skills of senior medical staff across Metro North. The program helps medical leaders to navigate the challenges of the complex and ...

As of yesterday, Thursday 10 August, Metro North transitioned to Tier 1 in our Acute Respiratory Illness Response Plan.

Thank you again to everyone who participated in the staff engagement sessions as part of the spinal impact analysis. The project team collated all the feedback into a draft report ...

Thank you to everyone who has warmly welcomed me into the Acting Chief Operating Officer role while Jane Hancock is Acting Chief Executive. It is always a great opportunity to ...

Thanks to everyone for welcoming me back from annual leave and to Karlene Willcocks who acted in the Executive Director role while I was away. It was a busy time ...

Over the past few weeks, we have been facilitating an impact analysis, focused on identifying the impacts of a temporary relocation of the Queensland Spinal Cord Injuries Service (QSCIS) to ...

It has been a great privilege to spend the last four weeks leading STARS as the Acting ED. During this brief time I have got to know many of the ...

We have come to the end of the first week of staff engagement sessions at STARS as part of the impact analysis of the potential temporary relocation of Queensland Spinal ...

Firstly, we acknowledge the Traditional Custodians and the country we all live and work and pay respects to the Elders past and present. We recognise their connection, strength and wisdom.

Firstly, we acknowledge the Traditional Custodians and the country we all live and work in and pay respects to the Elders past and present. We recognise their connection, strength and ...

I would firstly like to thank everyone for the very warm welcome I have received at STARS. The role of Acting Executive Director will provide an amazing opportunity for me ...

As part of Queensland Health’s commitment to providing safe, clinically appropriate patient centred care for spinal cord injuries, a review is underway of the current infrastructure, patient care and capacity ...

Today is your last day to take part in the Have your Say survey. The response from STARS staff has been amazing with 66% of staff having their say so ...

This week is National Reconciliation Week (27 May – 3 June). The theme this year encourages all Australians to Be a Voice for Generations and act today for a more ...

Metro North has transitioned to Tier 1 of the Acute Respiratory Illness (ARI) Response Plan.

I would like to firstly thank everyone who attended our STARS Celebration Day on Friday 19 May.

The theme for National Reconciliation Week 2023, Be a Voice for Generations, encourages all Australians to be a voice for reconciliation in tangible ways in our everyday lives – where ...

Today, May 12 we celebrate International Nurses Day, on the anniversary of Florence Nightingale’s birth.

After much consideration, I have made the very difficult decision to leave STARS on Wed 31 May, starting a new role as the Senior Director Workforce Strategy with the Department ...

Today is Administrative Professionals’ Day where we recognise all the staff who perform administrative duties at STARS from ESO/ASOs, administration officers, receptionists, bookings staff, ward clerks, trust officers, revenue officer ...

Last Friday we farewelled STARS’ Director of Allied Health, Kellie Stockton. Kellie has been an integral part of STARS, from our commissioning and then our opening. She has provided great ...

Over the last couple of weeks we have seen an increase in COVID cases within our facility.

The Have Your Say Survey gives all Metro North employees the opportunity to provide feedback on their experience of the workplace and suggest improvements that could be integrated to improve ...

On Thursday we acknowledged the anniversary of the National Close the Gap Day, launched by the Coalition of Australian Government (COAG) to achieve life expectancy parity for Aboriginal and Torres ...

We acknowledge the Country and Traditional Custodians for where our health services are located. We pay respects to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders, past, present and emerging.

I would like to thank all the staff who have come together to make our fortnightly Saturday sessions for ophthalmology, gynaecology and endoscopy a reality. As you can appreciate organising ...

I would like to firstly thank Dale Dally-Watkins for taking on the Acting Executive Director role while I had some time off in January. I hope everyone who managed to ...

Today marks the anniversary of the National Apology delivered by former Prime Minister, Mr Kevin Rudd on 13 February 2008, apologising to the Stolen Generation survivors who were forcibly and ...

In October 2022 we officially launched STARS’s Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP). Endorsed by Reconciliation Australia, the RAP details a commitment to reconciliation and improving the health of Aboriginal and ...

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 ...

I would like to wish everyone a Happy New Year and to welcome you back for 2023. After what was another busy and at times challenging year in 2022, I ...

Staff Excellence Award winners

It was so wonderful to see you all at our STARS Staff Christmas breakfast on Tuesday morning. The early time slot was designed to suit those on night shift as ...

The commitment and dedication of our staff here at STARS is remarkable so it comes as no surprise that STARS is very well represented in the recently announced finalists for ...

On this Remembrance Day I would like to pass on my gratitude to those who served their country in past wars and conflicts, especially those who paid the ultimate sacrifice. ...

STARS are currently responding to a group of patients and a number of staff who have tested positive for COVID-19.

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 ...

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 ...

I was so very proud of the eight STARS Deadly Start students who recently completed either a Cert III in Allied Health Assistance, Cert III in Health Services Assistance or ...

We all learned with sadness this week of the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Her Majesty was much loved by many Queenslanders as evidenced by crowds in attendance ...

This week we are running a four day COVID booster blitz for STARS staff. The clinic will offer Pfizer vaccines for staff who require a third or fourth dose of ...

A pop up kiosk is available at STARS to help you upload details of your COVID-19 vaccine boosters. The kiosk is open from 10 am to 3pm Monday to Friday ...

With the current COVID-19 peak still a few weeks away, it’s important to keep your vaccinations up-to-date. This means having all boosters you are eligible for to provide an extra ...

It’s been a tough couple of weeks, but I want to thank you all for your patience and perseverance as we work through this COVID-19 and winter respiratory illness surge ...

As per the Message from the Metro North Health Incident Controller – COVID-19 & Influenza update 414 that came out yesterday, Metro North Health has moved to Tier 3 of ...

The Staff Council for hosted the STARS Winter Warmer this week. The Staff Council Co-chairs Alana and Kristiana told us there were over 450 staff who visited the Level 3 ...

Please join me in welcoming Dr Chris Beck to STARS as Acting Director of Medical Services. Chris commenced at STARS on Monday and will be with us until October, by ...

Congratulations to the STARS and QARC teams who won the Consumer Engagement Award at the 2022 Metro North Research Excellence Awards for the ‘Implementation of the intensive Comprehensive High Dose ...

There are new changes to the PPE requirements at STARS. After a thorough risk assessment in line with the updated PPE risk matrix and the Queensland Infection Clinical Network (QICN) ...

Today, 27 May, is the beginning of National Reconciliation Week, which runs each year from 27 May to 3 June. It comes after National Sorry Day on 26 May, which ...

2022 has thrown its fair share of challenges at us so far: COVID-19, an accreditation survey, opening new wards, floods and more. Despite all of this, we have lived our ...

The last few months have been a whirlwind of COVID-19 and floods, as well as Christmas, school holidays and further expansions at STARS. The medical teams have responded well and ...

Welcome to 2022. This year we have already been tested with some trying times with COVID and more recently the floods, but, as always, you have all worked diligently over ...

STARS has been opened for just over a year. In that short period of time STARS Allied Health has achieved so much. I have provided a snapshot below of just ...

You may have seen that today’s Incident Controller update (no. 410) included a refreshed PPE guide in line with advice from Queensland Health.

Today is International Nurses Day. Around the world every May 12, International Nurses Day is celebrated on the anniversary of Florence Nightingale’s birth.

I was away unexpectedly at the end of last week, so I apologise I wasn’t here for the Administrative Professionals Day celebrations on Friday 6 May.

Administrative Professional Day is celebrated worldwide to celebrate our devoted administration staff and to simply say thank you. As part of this day, we are recognising staff excellence and achievements ...

We received a letter from the Metro North Hospital and Health Board Chair Mr Jim McGowan AM congratulating us on our successful accreditation result.

Metro North has requested that STARS commission the opening and running of part of Ward 6C as a GEMS and/or rehabilitation ward to assist with bed capacity across the network. ...

Today, Wednesday 30 March, we celebrate Doctors’ Day. I would like to mark this occasion (albeit a little late) by recognising and thanking all our doctors across STARS for your ...

Nominations for the 2022 Metro North Research Excellence Awards are now open. These awards celebrate and recognise the invaluable contribution and incredible achievements made by our researchers.

As of 7am today, Wednesday 23 March 2022, Metro North Health has moved back to Tier 3 of our COVID-19 response plan to allow us to focus on critical service ...

I have some great news! Yesterday we had the verbal end of accreditation presentation by our surveyors. I am delighted to tell you that we received no formal recommendations around improvements ...

I have some great news! Yesterday we had the verbal end of accreditation presentation by our surveyors. I am delighted to tell you that we received no formal recommendations around improvements ...

Tomorrow (Thursday 17 March 2022) is National Close the Gap Day. This day acknowledges the Close the Gap Campaign, which aims to close the health and life expectancy gap between ...

As you know our accreditation survey by the Australian Council on Healthcare Standards (ACHS) runs this week from Monday to Thursday (14-17 March). Some of you may have met the ...

As you all know, STARS will undergo an accreditation survey by the Australian Council on Healthcare Standards (ACHS) next week from Monday 14 March until Thursday 17 March. STARS achieved ...

The intent of this standard is to ensure that we protect our patients from hospital acquired infections whilst in our care. This includes things such as hand hygiene, cleaning, sterilisation, ...

A recap on one of the most important standards for clinical care – STANDARD 5

Our first full accreditation against the NSQHS Standards is next week from 14 – 17 March (just five days away).

Thank you for your patience and understanding as we continue to work through yet another challenging situation. Due to the current predicted weather event, we are making plans to ensure ...

Thank you for all continuing to step up and support our patients and each other during the last few days. This has been a challenging situation for everyone and for ...

Thank you to everyone who has worked through the last few days to ensure we could continue to look after our patients. There has been an incredible amount of support ...

Due to the ongoing weather event and flash flooding STARS has cancelled all Outpatients, Surgical and Procedural Services, GE and Day Hospital clinics tomorrow (Monday 28 February).

It’s been another busy week for STARS with activity starting to pick up. While it might feel like things are beginning to return to normal, please remember that we are ...

There has been a slight amendment to the dates for our STARS NSQHS accreditation. The assessors are all able to attend STARS from 14-17 March, a week later than previously advised.

This week marks one year since we opened the doors to STARS and commenced operations – and what a year it’s been! Over the last twelve months, STARS has overcome many ...

As you will all know, our STARS NSQHS accreditation was due to occur next week from 8-11 February 2022. Due to the current COVID-19 situation in Australia, the Australian Commission on ...

STARS’s first full accreditation against the NSQHS Standards is in eight days from 8 – 11 February 2022.

Please note the guide for PPE selection section of the Infection prevention and control guidelines for the management of COVID-19 in healthcare settings (Version 3.0 25 January 2022) has been ...

STARS’s first full accreditation against the NSQHS Standards is, as you know, 8-11 February (in 10 days).

As we have been looking after a number of COVID-19 patients in STARS over the last few weeks, we have stood up a COVID-19 Red Zone in Ward 4B, which ...

Thank you all for continuing to work so diligently and compassionately as we continue with the ongoing changes and challenges of COVID-19.

A warm hello to you all, and I hope you are coping in these changing, busy times. Today there are 19,932 new cases in Queensland, and modelling suggests we are ...