Dale Dally-Watkins, Acting Executive Director, STARS
Welcome back
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 hope those who took a break were able to spend time with their loves ones and get some rest and relaxation. I am Acting Executive Director until Sunday January 22 2023, while Helen is having some well-earned time away with her family.
If you are one of the staff who worked over the Christmas and New Year break, thank you for your dedication to our patients. Hopefully you are able to take some time off in the near future.
Taking time out from the everyday tasks of work, school drop-offs and household chores can leave us not only feeling refreshed but also help us put things into perspective and re-prioritise what is important to us.
This year will no doubt be another busy year at STARS. I look forward to working with the STARS Executive Team in continuing to deliver great patient care at a facility that is second to none.
Adverse weather events
Just a reminder that at this time of year we can commonly experience adverse weather events, particularly storms and/or flooding. Metro North have a dedicated staff extranet page where you can access current emergency and disaster response information including bushfire, heatwave, flooding and storm information. Go to https://bit.ly/3PIRYdw
Amber – Traffic light system
Metro North health facilities are currently still on ‘Amber’ according to the COVID-19 transmission traffic light system. Another friendly reminder to protect both our patients and colleagues from acquiring COVID-19.
This means:
- Wear a mask in a healthcare setting
- Do not attend work if you are unwell or symptomatic for any potentially infectious reason (even if your RAT test is negative).
- Do not attend a hospital, aged care, disability service or correctional centre for 7 days from a positive result.
- Practice good hand and respiratory hygiene.
Best wishes
Dale Dally-Watkins