Helen Boocock, Executive Director, STARS

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 together. With cases in the community continuing to rise, and many staff away from work due to illness, it’s important that we continue to look after ourselves and support one another through this time.

Thank you for also continuing to deliver patient-centred care as we continue with surgery and outpatient appointments at STARS. This really is an essential service, with other sites having to reduce their planned surgical care as part of Tier 3 restrictions. I understand there are many cancellations with patients becoming ill or needing to quarantine (in outpatients and surgical services) so a big thank you to our administration staff, nurses and case managers for managing a significant volume of calls and re-bookings.

Tier 3 and PPE

Metro North remains on Tier 3 of our COVID-19 and Influenza Response Plan. This includes a minimum of P2/N95 and protective eyewear (goggles) for all clinical areas. The Chief Health Officer’s Face Masks direction still applies to all our sites with surgical masks are required in non-clinical areas.

Please also consider your personal responsibility for your own safety outside of work. Face masks may not be mandatory in the wider community, but they are recommended especially for people at higher risk or in crowded spaces.

COVID-19 patients at STARS

Due to the high number of inpatients across Metro North, and COVID-19 patient numbers, the RBWH currently does not have capacity to accept our STARS COVID-19 patients. We currently have a number of positive patients, who will be cohorted together in Ward 6C. We have stood up a COVID ward before at STARS, so this is not new to us.

Thank you to all our staff across our workforces who are involved in both setting up this new (temporary) ward and looking after our COVID-19 patients. Your safety and welfare, and that of our patients, is of upmost importance to us, so we have worked very carefully to make sure our planning incorporates all safety and infection control requirements and considerations.

This is a timely reminder to ensure you are all wearing proper PPE, performing hand hygiene and social distancing.

Thank you everyone again for your ongoing care and stay safe.

Best wishes,

Helen