Dale Dally-Watkins, Executive Director

National Apology day

On Tuesday STARS hosted a Yarning Circle to mark the 16^th anniversary of the National Apology to the Stolen Generation, delivered by former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd. The National Apology acknowledged the pain and trauma by past government policies of forced child removal and assimilation. The STARS event was attended by Metro North Chief Executive Jackie Hanson, Chief Operating Officer Jane Hancock, Lead for the STARS Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Team Michelle Stute and STARS staff.

STARS Cultural Capability Officer, Jarrod Parter provided a background to the significance of the day and played a short video of Gwen Schrieber’s story of how the forced removal of children impacted her family.

Thank you to everyone who took time out of their day to join in the acknowledgment of this important day. It was wonderful to see staff from across many areas of the hospital.

Metro North Chief Operating Officer Jane Hancock, STARS Cultural Capability Officer Jarrod Parter and Metro North Chief Executive Jackie Hanson at the STARS National Apology Day event.

More information about the National Apology can be found on the Healing Foundation’s website.

I would also like to acknowledge that National Apology Day can be a difficult one for our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff. If any staff feel they need support, Metro North’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social and Emotional Wellbeing Officers, Jesse Blackman and Nickita Wylie will be conducting a site visit to STARS next Thursday from 1pm-3pm.

Hand Hygiene

The Oral Health Alliance (OHA) has merged with STARS for their hand hygiene reporting and so we warmly welcome the OHA Hand Hygiene Auditors.

The Safety and Quality Team continue to run the Hand Hygiene Influencer program, an initiative which enables and empower staff to speak to their peers about hand hygiene. Ward 4B A/Clinical Nurse, Barry Moore is one of our wonderful Influencers.

“Through the Hand Hygiene Influencer initiative, I have been able to advance my clinical knowledge regarding best practices within the clinical environment. My focus had been to raise awareness of everyday habits or lapses in hand hygiene that we may not have previously perceived as a risk.”

Staff changes

We have had a few staff changes lately, with Jennifer Ellick, Director of Dietetics and Food Services on secondment to Children’s Hospital Queensland. Amanda Adams and Denise Cruikshank will be Acting in the Director of Dietetics and Food Services role while temporary recruitment occurs.

We would also like to welcome Lisa Kelly who is the new Clinical Director Geriatrics. Today we say goodbye to Peter Slattery, Director of Rehabilitation Engineering after 38 years. We wish Peter all the best in his retirement, and I will bring you more from his farewell event in my next message. Oliver Mason will be Acting Director while recruitment for the role takes place.

Short notice accreditation

Just a reminder that with short notice accreditation coming at any time, can we ensure that our work environments are tidy and free of clutter. On a recent walk-around several issues were identified including boxes stored on the floor, lithium batteries in storerooms, boxes too close to the ceiling and blocking fire sprinklers, stock lying open in boxes on the floor, and cluttered hallways. Please ensure that all items are stored correctly and in the right locations.

Staff Council

Thank you to all those new members who have recently joined our Staff Council. The Staff Council performs an important role at STARS, providing strategic leadership and advocacy on behalf of staff. Please see the STARS Staff Council QHEPS page for profiles of our Staff Council members. If you have any feedback for our Staff Council, you can provide it via the feedback form.

Staff Forums

Do you have feedback, hot topics or guest speaker suggestions for the STARS fortnightly Staff Forum? You can submit your feedback or ideas via this link or by emailing me directly stars_execdir@health.qld.gov.au.

STARS 3^rd Birthday

Last Thursday STARS celebrated its third birthday. Thank you to Staff Psychologist Allison Welch for visiting the various floors at STARS, handing out star shaped chocolates and a lot of smiles. Milestones are a great time to reflect on all that we have achieved at STARS in a relatively short time. Thank you to everyone who has contributed to making STARS a place of care that is compassionate, patient-centred, culturally safe and innovative.

Kind regards,

Dale.