Dale Dally-Watkins Director of Nursing

Welcome to 2022. This year we have already been tested with some trying times with COVID and more recently the floods, but, as always, you have all worked diligently over the past few months to support not only our patients and their families but also your many colleagues. For that I extend a heartfelt thank you.

We have had the pleasure of 50+ staff joining many roles across our STARS nursing teams over the last few months. I would like to take the opportunity to welcome them to STARS and hope they have transitioned into their roles smoothly and are enjoying their time with us.

Nursing has led the fit testing team for the whole of STARS, and I would like to acknowledge the effort they have all put into getting us to the 95 per cent compliance rate across the facility. Please remember if you have not been fit tested, or only fit tested to one mask, reach out to your line manager to arrange a time with one of our super fit testers.

Following a couple of delays, we underwent ACHS accreditation with the accreditors giving great feedback in relation to our team’s enthusiasm, collegiality and delivery of safe patient cares. This is great feedback to receive, and we look forward to receiving the final report so we can collectively review any suggestions that have been made and consider them for our future practice.

Lastly, as you would all know, our first birthday passed on 4 February 2022 as we worked our way through a COVID wave. Congratulations to all who have been on our journey to get us 12 months down the track.

Everyone contributes in their own way to making our team what it is, and I hope you take the time to reflect on what you have all been able to achieve since you joined the STARS nursing team.

Dale Dally-Watkins
Director of Nursing