{"id":13452,"date":"2023-03-17T09:07:15","date_gmt":"2023-03-16T23:07:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/metronorth.health.qld.gov.au\/extranet\/?p=13452"},"modified":"2023-03-22T14:28:19","modified_gmt":"2023-03-22T04:28:19","slug":"ed-stars-20230317","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/metronorth.health.qld.gov.au\/extranet\/facility-messages\/ed-stars-20230317","title":{"rendered":"Message from the Executive Director"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Helen

Helen Boocock, Executive Director, STARS<\/p><\/div>\n

Closing the Gap<\/h3>\n

On Thursday we acknowledged the anniversary of the National Close the Gap Day, launched by the Coalition of Australian Government (COAG) to achieve life expectancy parity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples by 2031. Metro North\u2019s Health Equity Strategy demonstrates our commitment to Closing the Gap by providing high quality person-centred care that is culturally responsive.<\/p>\n

A great example of this care is the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Opportunistic Bowel Screening Program (OBSP) which is being trialled at STARS. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have lower participation rates for bowel cancer screening in comparison to non-Indigenous Australians. The trial will involve our Indigenous Hospital Liaison Officers delivering culturally appropriate bowel screening information and a testing kit to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander inpatients. The program has been established to promote community knowledge and increase the bowel cancer screening rates of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.<\/p>\n

Recruitment starting: Graduate Certificate Health Services Innovation<\/h3>\n

Metro North Health has recently awarded Griffith University the contract to deliver a Graduate Level Program in Health Services Innovation.\u00a0The Program, which is designed for both clinical and non-clinical staff, aims to equip our staff with knowledge and skills of health systems, leading innovation, health economics\/cost effectiveness, and implementation science. These are the skills we need to lead innovation and transform the health service to meet our current and future needs. If you want to take an active role in leading change, I encourage staff to put their best foot forward! Visit the Program website for more information<\/a> or contact Metro North Research\u2019s Learning Coordinator louise.dallura@health.qld.gov.au<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Peer Responder Week<\/h3>\n

Next week is Peer Responder Week, a chance to acknowledge and celebrate the 230+ staff we have across Metro North who have volunteered to take on the Peer Responder role and provide a listening ear to support their colleagues. If you have used the Peer Responder Program, you can even send an e-card to show your appreciation<\/a>. A big thank you to our STARS Peer Responders:<\/p>\n