Helen Boocock, Executive Director, STARS

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

Close contacts are being managed by infection control protocols at this time. Additional high touch point cleaning is in place.

This acts as a timely reminder to us all that COVID-19 is still present in our community, so to protect yourself, your family and our patients and staff :

• Do not come to work if you are unwell.
• If you are unwell and require a PCR you can do this through 4cyte or QML drive through collection centres or visit one of the local respiratory clinics.
• We also have RAT tests available for staff who become unwell or are close contacts. Pease contact our IMPS team on 77961 if you or a team member require a RAT test.
• Please remember if you get a negative RAT test and are still unwell you are not permitted to attend work and you must remain off until you are asymptomatic. A PCR is strongly recommended in this scenario.
• All staff who are positive must remain off work for 7 days. You are not permitted to enter a hospital for 7 days after a positive test result.
• While masks are not mandatory in other clinical areas we strongly encourage staff to wear a mask to protect themselves, their family and their community. Masks will continue to be made available for use by staff or visitors at key entrances/care points. Standard and Transmission based precautions still apply.
• Please ensure you read all signage on patient’s rooms and perform a standard precautions assessment when providing care to ascertain if you need PPE.
• Maintain social distancing – please ensure 1.5 metres between each other as much as possible including on lunch breaks.
• Staff are encouraged to eat outside on the balcony.
• Keep up to date with your vaccinations
• Maintain good hand and respiratory hygiene.

Thank you for helping us to keep our STARS community safe.

Best wishes,

Helen Boocock
Executive Director, STARS