Helen Boocock

Ward 6C commissioning

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. On Tuesday 5 April, we will progressively receive 12 patients from Ward 1G at TPCH.

Thank you to everyone who has responded quickly and worked tirelessly to commission another new ward for STARS on such short notice. Work will continue over the next few days to ensure we can safely welcome our new patients to STARS.

Critically Essential Workers

Staff who are close contacts may be able to return to work under the Critically Essential Worker requirements. Close contacts no longer have to separate from COVID-19 positive household member to return to work (you can remain in the same residence). If you are identified as a close contact, please contact your line manager for advice about the return to work process and any necessary requirements.    

As a close contact leaving home to go to work, you must: 

• have no COVID-19 symptoms 
• be vaccinated with two doses of a vaccine and a booster shot 
• get tested using a RAT kit (supplied by your employer) on your first day of work (before starting work), and on every second day after that, until and including day 6 of your quarantine period 
• wear a mask when indoors, and only outdoors if you can’t keep your distance from other people 
• travel to and from your workplace by private transport, using the most direct route and without stopping (you can stop for fuel, but you can’t be in contact with other people and payment needs to be contactless) 
• regularly clean your hands 
• keep your distance from other people as much as you can 
• go back into quarantine when not at work. 

Your child can only attend school or childcare if they are not a close contact. If they are a close contact, they can’t leave their quarantine to attend school or childcare. 

If you become symptomatic you must return to quarantine, get tested and stay in quarantine for until you receive a negative result and your symptoms resolve. RATS can be collected from Christine Forster, STARS EOC Duty Manager.

Entrances to the hospital

With the numbers of staff on a return to work plan after being a close contact expected to increase, the separation of staff from patients is again required for the safety of both groups.

Staff should use the Level 3 entrance instead of the Ground Floor front door when entering the facility.

Tier 3, PPE and fit testing

As a reminder, Metro North remains in Tier 3 of our COVID response plan in the high-risk category of the PPE matrix. This means that P2/N95 masks and eyewear are required in clinical areas and flat surgical masks are required in all other areas at all times. Fit testing is continuing, so please advise your Line Manager to email Christine Forster for an appointment if you require either a first or subsequent fit test for an N95 mask.

With escalating numbers of staff in isolation and community cases rising, it is important that staff contact in the tea rooms is minimised. We encourage you all to take your lunch breaks outside if possible and avoid congregating together inside.

Tier 3 includes:

• Cancellation of non-critical meetings
• All virtual outpatient appointments
• Urgent face-to-face appointments only where virtual not clinically appropriate
• All OPD patients must wear masks in waiting rooms
• Virtual meetings only
• No face-to-face training
• Essential training delivered virtually
• No visitors or consumers engaged on site
• Students onsite must be fully vaccinated
• Minimise staff movement within wards and across facilities

Thank you for your cooperation during this time.

Best wishes,

Helen Boocock
A/Executive Director
Surgical, Treatment and Rehabilitation Service (STARS)