STARS was originally designed to be Queensland’s specialist rehabilitation facility and one of the largest in the southern hemisphere. Opening in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic meant that STARS had to quickly pivot to accommodate other services required during that time. So much has been achieved in those three short years, with STARS significantly contributing to managing Metro North and Southeast Queensland’s demand for care.

It is now time for a reaffirmation of the original vision for STARS as a state-of-the-art, specialist rehabilitation facility.

As you may remember from last year’s spinal impact analysis, the Department of Health, via the System Planning Branch (SPB) are developing a future statewide spinal service delivery model for QLD, taking into account current and projected needs.

Within the context of this SPB project, Metro North Health has been asked to develop a business case to commission 20 sub-acute Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) rehabilitation beds and associated support services.

The Metro North Spinal Injuries Services Project will identify the operational, capital and other costs and considerations required to implement 20 SCI sub-acute rehabilitation beds and associated supporting services within MNH.

A staggered implementation will be incorporated with 10 SCI rehabilitation beds initially, and a plan to increase to 20 beds. If the business case is approved, further work will be undertaken to plan and implement the service, in collaboration with the Queensland Spinal Cord Injury Service.

Over the coming weeks the project team will be working closely with key service leads to identify service needs and considerations for inclusion in the business case.

I will continue to keep staff updated about the project via my regular messages and Staff Forums.

If you would like further information about the Metro North Spinal Injuries Services Project please reach out to your manager in the first instance.

I recognise that while the Business Case is seen by many staff as an opportunity to fully realise STARS potential, for some staff it also brings uncertainty which can be stressful. Please remember that Metro North provide a number of avenues for staff support, see our Staff Wellness QHEPS page. You can also contact our Staff Psychologist, Allison Welch on allison.welch@health.qld.gov.au or 3647 7028.

Welcome to Ben Ballard

I would like to extend a very warm welcome to our new Director of Nursing, Ben Ballard. Ben completed his Bachelor of Nursing in 2000, starting as a new graduate at RBWH in surgical wards before a stint with the National Health Service in London.

In recent years, Ben worked in Assistant Nursing Director and Nursing Director roles in clinical effectiveness and workforce in RBWH, TPCH and Metro North. Before coming to STARS, Ben was the Director of Nursing and Midwifery, Caboolture & Kilcoy Hospitals and Woodford Corrections Health.

“The Metro North values that underpin my leadership style are integrity and respect. I believe these attributes support bringing a diversity of individual expertise to the table for teams to make the best decisions to deliver high quality care for our community.

“I believe in empowering staff to be the best they can be in their roles and to work collaboratively to provide the best possible patient care.

“Personally, I enjoy hanging out with my family including eight and 12-year-old kids, Elkie, Oliver and Poppy (my dog, another child!), as well as cycling and gardening.”

Have Your Say action plan – get involved

Last week the Metro North Health Employee Engagement Action Plan 2023-25 was launched, which is in direct response to the most recent Have Your Say survey results and aims to significantly increase employee satisfaction over the next 12 months.

Read the launch message from Jackie Hanson and Raelene Burke.

Four key focus areas have been identified in the action plan, with 21 initiatives. People and Culture have put an EOI call out for employees across Metro North to be involved in one of 10 action groups which will co-design some these important projects.

I encourage you to read more about all the action groups and take this opportunity to be part of a diverse team who aim to effect real culture change for all Metro North employees.

The action groups commencing soon are:

• PDPs: how can we do these better?
• Leading by example
• Supporting people through unplanned leave
• Creating better career pathways for our admin and operations staff

Find out more on QHEPS.

Nursing and Midwifery Awards

Nominations are now open for this year’s Metro North Nursing and Midwifery Awards. All staff are invited to nominate nurses and midwives they believe demonstrate a commitment to their professions and champion Metro North Health and nursing and midwifery values. There are eight award categories and nominations close Friday 12 April. Submit a nomination.

Coaching conversations

Following on from our Staff Forum a few weeks ago, where we heard from about training opportunities for STARS staff, I wanted to draw everyone’s attention to the next Coaching Conversations sessions. This training teaches staff to adopt a coach-like approach to having conversations at work. The next STARS date is Thursday 6 June, 8.30-12.30pm and you can register via TMS.

Staff flu vaccinations

Flu vaccinations will be available for staff from 18 April (Oral Health) and 24 April (STARS).  All staff at STARS, including our partners UQ, CSIRO, Cushman and Wakefield and Pathology Queensland, are eligible for a flu vaccination. No bookings are required, you just need to show your Medicare card. I would encourage all staff to take advantage of this service and protect themselves, their family and our patients from the flu, this flu season.

Brief the Boss

Finally, a reminder that I will be holding my first Brief the Boss event on Thursday 2 May, 11 am on the Ground Floor at STARS (in the area near the stairwell). Reminders will appear in the STARS bulletin and via email.

Dale.