Staff News
Surgical, Treatment and Rehabilitation Service
Staff Update
Staff News
Surgical, Treatment and Rehabilitation Service
Staff Update
April 2024
Message from the Executive Director
12 April 2024It is with great sadness that I inform you of the death of a STARS nursing colleague in Ward 4B this week. Our thoughts are with his family and friends. ...Read more >Message from the Executive Director
5 April 2024STARS 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 ...Read more >
March 2024
Message from the Executive Director
28 March 2024Last Wednesday we held a Staff BBQ for all staff, generously supported by the STARS Staff Council. It was very nice to see so many staff able to come to ...Read more >Message from the Executive Director
15 March 2024Last Thursday in our fortnightly Staff Forum, we introduced the Metro North Disability Services Action Plan (DSAP). The DSAP outlines Metro North’s vision for a healthcare system that is inclusive, ...Read more >Message from the Executive Director
1 March 2024On Friday 16 February we farewelled Peter Slattery, Director of The Rehabilitation Engineering Centre. It was wonderful to see so many of Peter’s current and former colleagues attending, either in ...Read more >
February 2024
Message from the Executive Director
19 February 2024On Tuesday STARS hosted a Yarning Circle to mark the 16th anniversary of the National Apology to the Stolen Generation, delivered by former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd. The National Apology ...Read more >Message from the ED and Cultural Capability Officer
13 February 2024We acknowledge the Country and Traditional Custodians for where our health services are located. We pay respects to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders, past, present and emerging.Read more >Message from the Executive Director
2 February 2024Metro North facilities continue to be impacted by severe weather events, with recent heavy rain and flooding in the Moreton Bay area.Read more >
January 2024
Message from the Executive Director
19 January 2024I firstly would like to thank everyone for their patience this week with the ongoing Queensland Health internet network issues. Technology is fantastic when it works correctly but certainly a ...Read more >Message from the Executive Director
5 January 2024I hope everyone had a lovely holiday season and managed to find some time to recharge. For those who worked over the Christmas and New Year period, thank you so ...Read more >
December 2023
Message from the Executive Director
15 December 2023I returned from five weeks leave last Monday and was delighted to see the beautiful Christmas tree on the Ground Floor, provided by RBWH Foundation. It is really in keeping ...Read more >Message from the Acting Executive Director
1 December 2023Judging for the Metro North Staff Excellence Awards has now been finalised with finalists being announced on Monday. The awards will be presented at the gala dinner on the 15 ...Read more >
November 2023
Message from the Acting Executive Director
24 November 2023On Wednesday, STARS was impacted by the Statewide ieMR log-in issues that occurred for the majority of the day. As Metro North’s only fully digital hospital, an outage of this ...Read more >Message from the Acting Executive Director
17 November 2023This week Metro North moved to Tier 1 in our Acute Respiratory Illness (ARI) response plan due to an increase in people presenting to emergency departments or being admitted to ...Read more >Message from the Acting Executive Director
10 November 2023Thank you again for being kind and accommodating as I walk through the facility learning about STARS and the great colleagues that work here. I have seen many wards and ...Read more >Message from the Acting Executive Director
3 November 2023Thank you to everyone at STARS who has made feel welcome during my first week at the facility. I will be in the Acting Executive Director role until Monday 4 ...Read more >
October 2023
Message from the Acting Executive Director
27 October 2023Nominations for the Metro North Staff Excellence Awards are now open. If you would like to nominate an individual or a team, send in your nomination before Monday 13 November. ...Read more >Message from the Acting Executive Director
13 October 2023Tomorrow, Saturday 14 October is Allied Health Professions Day. The theme for 2023 is ‘Stronger together’, highlighting the benefits of multidisciplinary team-based care. This theme is a fitting one for ...Read more >
September 2023
Message from the Acting Executive Director
29 September 2023This month we have recognised a number of significant health appreciation days, including World Sepsis Day (13 September) and R U OK? Day (14 September). Thank you to staff at ...Read more >Message from the Acting Executive Director
8 September 2023As you are aware, workers in Queensland Health healthcare facilities have been required to not attend work for a minimum of seven days after testing positive for COVID-19. The Communicable ...Read more >
August 2023
Message from the Acting Executive Director
28 August 2023Medical Leadership Intensive Program aims to develop the leadership skills of senior medical staff across Metro North. The program helps medical leaders to navigate the challenges of the complex and ...Read more >Message from the Acting Executive Director
11 August 2023As of yesterday, Thursday 10 August, Metro North transitioned to Tier 1 in our Acute Respiratory Illness Response Plan.Read more >Message from the Acting Chief Operating Officer
1 August 2023Thank you again to everyone who participated in the staff engagement sessions as part of the spinal impact analysis. The project team collated all the feedback into a draft report ...Read more >
July 2023
Message from the Acting Chief Operating Officer
28 July 2023Thank you to everyone who has warmly welcomed me into the Acting Chief Operating Officer role while Jane Hancock is Acting Chief Executive. It is always a great opportunity to ...Read more >Message from the Acting Executive Director
28 July 2023Thanks to everyone for welcoming me back from annual leave and to Karlene Willcocks who acted in the Executive Director role while I was away. It was a busy time ...Read more >Message from the Acting Chief Executive
25 July 2023Over the past few weeks, we have been facilitating an impact analysis, focused on identifying the impacts of a temporary relocation of the Queensland Spinal Cord Injuries Service (QSCIS) to ...Read more >Message from the Acting Executive Director
14 July 2023It has been a great privilege to spend the last four weeks leading STARS as the Acting ED. During this brief time I have got to know many of the ...Read more >Message from the Chief Operating Officer
10 July 2023We have come to the end of the first week of staff engagement sessions at STARS as part of the impact analysis of the potential temporary relocation of Queensland Spinal ...Read more >Message from the Acting Executive Director
7 July 2023Firstly, we acknowledge the Traditional Custodians and the country we all live and work and pay respects to the Elders past and present. We recognise their connection, strength and wisdom.Read more >Message from the Acting ED STARS and Cultural Capability Officer STARS
3 July 2023Firstly, we acknowledge the Traditional Custodians and the country we all live and work in and pay respects to the Elders past and present. We recognise their connection, strength and ...Read more >
June 2023
Message from the Acting Executive Director
30 June 2023I would firstly like to thank everyone for the very warm welcome I have received at STARS. The role of Acting Executive Director will provide an amazing opportunity for me ...Read more >Message from the Chief Operating Officer
30 June 2023As part of Queensland Health’s commitment to providing safe, clinically appropriate patient centred care for spinal cord injuries, a review is underway of the current infrastructure, patient care and capacity ...Read more >Message from the Acting Executive Director
16 June 2023Today is your last day to take part in the Have your Say survey. The response from STARS staff has been amazing with 66% of staff having their say so ...Read more >Message from the Acting Executive Director
2 June 2023This week is National Reconciliation Week (27 May – 3 June). The theme this year encourages all Australians to Be a Voice for Generations and act today for a more ...Read more >
May 2023
Message from the Acting Executive Director | Acute Respiratory Illness (ARI) Tier 1 Response for STARS
31 May 2023Metro North has transitioned to Tier 1 of the Acute Respiratory Illness (ARI) Response Plan.Read more >Message from the Executive Director
31 May 2023I would like to firstly thank everyone who attended our STARS Celebration Day on Friday 19 May.Read more >Message from the Acting ED STARS and Cultural Capability Officer STARS
29 May 2023The theme for National Reconciliation Week 2023, Be a Voice for Generations, encourages all Australians to be a voice for reconciliation in tangible ways in our everyday lives – where ...Read more >Message from the Executive Director STARS and Director of Nursing STARS
12 May 2023Today, May 12 we celebrate International Nurses Day, on the anniversary of Florence Nightingale’s birth.Read more >Message from the Executive Director
11 May 2023After much consideration, I have made the very difficult decision to leave STARS on Wed 31 May, starting a new role as the Senior Director Workforce Strategy with the Department ...Read more >Message from the Executive Director
5 May 2023Today is Administrative Professionals’ Day where we recognise all the staff who perform administrative duties at STARS from ESO/ASOs, administration officers, receptionists, bookings staff, ward clerks, trust officers, revenue officer ...Read more >
April 2023
Message from the Executive Director
21 April 2023Last Friday we farewelled STARS’ Director of Allied Health, Kellie Stockton. Kellie has been an integral part of STARS, from our commissioning and then our opening. She has provided great ...Read more >Message from the Acting ED, STARS
4 April 2023Over the last couple of weeks we have seen an increase in COVID cases within our facility.Read more >
March 2023
Message from the Executive Director
31 March 2023The Have Your Say Survey gives all Metro North employees the opportunity to provide feedback on their experience of the workplace and suggest improvements that could be integrated to improve ...Read more >Message from the Executive Director
17 March 2023On 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 ...Read more >Message from the ED STARS and Cultural Capability Officer STARS
16 March 2023We acknowledge the Country and Traditional Custodians for where our health services are located. We pay respects to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders, past, present and emerging.Read more >Message from the Executive Director
3 March 2023I would like to thank all the staff who have come together to make our fortnightly Saturday sessions for ophthalmology, gynaecology and endoscopy a reality. As you can appreciate organising ...Read more >
February 2023
Message from the Executive Director
17 February 2023I would like to firstly thank Dale Dally-Watkins for taking on the Acting Executive Director role while I had some time off in January. I hope everyone who managed to ...Read more >Message from the ED STARS and Cultural Capability Officer STARS
13 February 2023Today marks the anniversary of the National Apology delivered by former Prime Minister, Mr Kevin Rudd on 13 February 2008, apologising to the Stolen Generation survivors who were forcibly and ...Read more >Message from the Executive Director
10 February 2023In October 2022 we officially launched STARS’s Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP). Endorsed by Reconciliation Australia, the RAP details a commitment to reconciliation and improving the health of Aboriginal and ...Read more >
January 2023
Message from the Acting ED, STARS
20 January 2023On Wednesday we shifted from AMBER to GREEN in the COVID-19 traffic light system, due to decreasing community transmissions and hospitalisations for COVID-19. The main change is that staff are ...Read more >Message from the Acting ED, STARS
6 January 2023I 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 ...Read more >
December 2022
Message from the Executive Director
21 December 2022Staff Excellence Award winnersRead more >Message from the Executive Director
9 December 2022It was so wonderful to see you all at our STARS Staff Christmas breakfast on Tuesday morning. The early time slot was designed to suit those on night shift as ...Read more >
November 2022
Message from the Executive Director
25 November 2022The commitment and dedication of our staff here at STARS is remarkable so it comes as no surprise that STARS is very well represented in the recently announced finalists for ...Read more >Message from the Executive Director
11 November 2022On this Remembrance Day I would like to pass on my gratitude to those who served their country in past wars and conflicts, especially those who paid the ultimate sacrifice. ...Read more >Message from the Executive Director | COVID Precautions
8 November 2022STARS are currently responding to a group of patients and a number of staff who have tested positive for COVID-19.Read more >Message from the Executive Director
3 November 2022This coming Wednesday 2 November, Metro North Health’s Chief Executive, Jackie Hanson and Chief Operating Officer, Jane Hancock will be holding a Listening Post at STARS on Level 3 in ...Read more >
October 2022
Message from the Executive Director
28 October 2022This coming Wednesday 2 November, Metro North Health’s Chief Executive, Jackie Hanson and Chief Operating Officer, Jane Hancock will be holding a Listening Post at STARS on Level 3 in ...Read more >
September 2022
Message from the Acting ED, STARS
30 September 2022I was so very proud of the eight STARS Deadly Start students who recently completed either a Cert III in Allied Health Assistance, Cert III in Health Services Assistance or ...Read more >Message from the Executive Director
16 September 2022We all learned with sadness this week of the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Her Majesty was much loved by many Queenslanders as evidenced by crowds in attendance ...Read more >
August 2022
Message from the Executive Director
16 August 2022This week we are running a four day COVID booster blitz for STARS staff. The clinic will offer Pfizer vaccines for staff who require a third or fourth dose of ...Read more >Message from the Executive Director
4 August 2022A pop up kiosk is available at STARS to help you upload details of your COVID-19 vaccine boosters. The kiosk is open from 10 am to 3pm Monday to Friday ...Read more >
July 2022
Message from the Executive Director
28 July 2022With the current COVID-19 peak still a few weeks away, it’s important to keep your vaccinations up-to-date. This means having all boosters you are eligible for to provide an extra ...Read more >Message from the Executive Director
20 July 2022It’s been a tough couple of weeks, but I want to thank you all for your patience and perseverance as we work through this COVID-19 and winter respiratory illness surge ...Read more >Message from the Executive Director
5 July 2022As per the Message from the Metro North Health Incident Controller – COVID-19 & Influenza update 414 that came out yesterday, Metro North Health has moved to Tier 3 of ...Read more >Message from the Executive Director
1 July 2022The Staff Council for hosted the STARS Winter Warmer this week. The Staff Council Co-chairs Alana and Kristiana told us there were over 450 staff who visited the Level 3 ...Read more >
June 2022
Message from the Executive Director
24 June 2022Please join me in welcoming Dr Chris Beck to STARS as Acting Director of Medical Services. Chris commenced at STARS on Monday and will be with us until October, by ...Read more >Message from the Executive Director
6 June 2022Congratulations to the STARS and QARC teams who won the Consumer Engagement Award at the 2022 Metro North Research Excellence Awards for the ‘Implementation of the intensive Comprehensive High Dose ...Read more >
May 2022
Important COVID-19 update
27 May 2022There are new changes to the PPE requirements at STARS. After a thorough risk assessment in line with the updated PPE risk matrix and the Queensland Infection Clinical Network (QICN) ...Read more >Message from the STARS Executive Director
27 May 2022Today, 27 May, is the beginning of National Reconciliation Week, which runs each year from 27 May to 3 June. It comes after National Sorry Day on 26 May, which ...Read more >Message from the A/Executive Director
27 May 20222022 has thrown its fair share of challenges at us so far: COVID-19, an accreditation survey, opening new wards, floods and more. Despite all of this, we have lived our ...Read more >Message from the STARS Director of Medical Services
27 May 2022The last few months have been a whirlwind of COVID-19 and floods, as well as Christmas, school holidays and further expansions at STARS. The medical teams have responded well and ...Read more >Message from the STARS Director of Nursing
27 May 2022Welcome 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 ...Read more >Message from the STARS Director of Allied Health
27 May 2022STARS has been opened for just over a year. In that short period of time STARS Allied Health has achieved so much. I have provided a snapshot below of just ...Read more >Message from the STARS Executive Director
26 May 2022You may have seen that today’s Incident Controller update (no. 410) included a refreshed PPE guide in line with advice from Queensland Health.Read more >Message from the STARS ED and DON – Happy International Nurses Day!
12 May 2022Today is International Nurses Day. Around the world every May 12, International Nurses Day is celebrated on the anniversary of Florence Nightingale’s birth.Read more >Message from the STARS Executive Director
10 May 2022I was away unexpectedly at the end of last week, so I apologise I wasn’t here for the Administrative Professionals Day celebrations on Friday 6 May.Read more >
April 2022
Message from the STARS Executive Director
29 April 2022Administrative Professional Day is celebrated worldwide to celebrate our devoted administration staff and to simply say thank you. As part of this day, we are recognising staff excellence and achievements ...Read more >A message from the Executive Director
14 April 2022We received a letter from the Metro North Hospital and Health Board Chair Mr Jim McGowan AM congratulating us on our successful accreditation result.Read more >Important STARS COVID-19 update
1 April 2022Metro North has requested that STARS commission the opening and running of part of Ward 6C as a GEMS and/or rehabilitation ward to assist with bed capacity across the network. ...Read more >
March 2022
A message from the Executive Director on Doctors’ Day!
30 March 2022Today, Wednesday 30 March, we celebrate Doctors’ Day. I would like to mark this occasion (albeit a little late) by recognising and thanking all our doctors across STARS for your ...Read more >Message from the STARS ED and SERA Director | Metro North Research Excellence Awards
25 March 2022Nominations for the 2022 Metro North Research Excellence Awards are now open. These awards celebrate and recognise the invaluable contribution and incredible achievements made by our researchers.Read more >Important STARS COVID-19 update
23 March 2022As of 7am today, Wednesday 23 March 2022, Metro North Health has moved back to Tier 3 of our COVID-19 response plan to allow us to focus on critical service ...Read more >Message from the STARS Executive Director | Accreditation update
18 March 2022I have some great news! Yesterday we had the verbal end of accreditation presentation by our surveyors. I am delighted to tell you that we received no formal recommendations around improvements ...Read more >Message from the STARS Executive Director | Accreditation update
18 March 2022I have some great news! Yesterday we had the verbal end of accreditation presentation by our surveyors. I am delighted to tell you that we received no formal recommendations around improvements ...Read more >Message from the STARS Executive Director
16 March 2022Tomorrow (Thursday 17 March 2022) is National Close the Gap Day. This day acknowledges the Close the Gap Campaign, which aims to close the health and life expectancy gap between ...Read more >Message from the STARS Executive Director
15 March 2022As you know our accreditation survey by the Australian Council on Healthcare Standards (ACHS) runs this week from Monday to Thursday (14-17 March). Some of you may have met the ...Read more >Message from the STARS Executive Director
11 March 2022As you all know, STARS will undergo an accreditation survey by the Australian Council on Healthcare Standards (ACHS) next week from Monday 14 March until Thursday 17 March. STARS achieved ...Read more >STARS Safety and Quality Corner | Standard 3 recap
10 March 2022The intent of this standard is to ensure that we protect our patients from hospital acquired infections whilst in our care. This includes things such as hand hygiene, cleaning, sterilisation, ...Read more >STARS Safety and Quality Corner | Standard 5 recap
9 March 2022A recap on one of the most important standards for clinical care – STANDARD 5Read more >STARS Safety and Quality Corner | Standards 7 and 8
9 March 2022Our first full accreditation against the NSQHS Standards is next week from 14 – 17 March (just five days away).Read more >Message from the STARS Executive Director
3 March 2022Thank you for your patience and understanding as we continue to work through yet another challenging situation. Due to the current predicted weather event, we are making plans to ensure ...Read more >Message from the STARS Executive Director
2 March 2022Thank you for all continuing to step up and support our patients and each other during the last few days. This has been a challenging situation for everyone and for ...Read more >
February 2022
Message from the STARS Executive Director
28 February 2022Thank you to everyone who has worked through the last few days to ensure we could continue to look after our patients. There has been an incredible amount of support ...Read more >Message from the STARS Executive Director
27 February 2022Due to the ongoing weather event and flash flooding STARS has cancelled all Outpatients, Surgical and Procedural Services, GE and Day Hospital clinics tomorrow (Monday 28 February).Read more >Message from the STARS Executive Director
11 February 2022It’s been another busy week for STARS with activity starting to pick up. While it might feel like things are beginning to return to normal, please remember that we are ...Read more >Message from the STARS Executive Director | Accreditation update
10 February 2022There has been a slight amendment to the dates for our STARS NSQHS accreditation. The assessors are all able to attend STARS from 14-17 March, a week later than previously advised.Read more >Message from the STARS Executive Director
4 February 2022This week marks one year since we opened the doors to STARS and commenced operations – and what a year it’s been! Over the last twelve months, STARS has overcome many ...Read more >Message from the STARS Executive Director | Accreditation update
2 February 2022As you will all know, our STARS NSQHS accreditation was due to occur next week from 8-11 February 2022. Due to the current COVID-19 situation in Australia, the Australian Commission on ...Read more >Safety and Quality Corner
2 February 2022STARS’s first full accreditation against the NSQHS Standards is in eight days from 8 – 11 February 2022.Read more >Important STARS COVID-19 update
1 February 2022Please note the guide for PPE selection section of the Infection prevention and control guidelines for the management of COVID-19 in healthcare settings (Version 3.0 25 January 2022) has been ...Read more >
January 2022
Safety and Quality Corner
28 January 2022STARS’s first full accreditation against the NSQHS Standards is, as you know, 8-11 February (in 10 days).Read more >Important STARS COVID-19 update
27 January 2022As we have been looking after a number of COVID-19 patients in STARS over the last few weeks, we have stood up a COVID-19 Red Zone in Ward 4B, which ...Read more >Important COVID-19 update | STARS
24 January 2022Thank you all for continuing to work so diligently and compassionately as we continue with the ongoing changes and challenges of COVID-19.Read more >Important COVID-19 update | STARS
19 January 2022A warm hello to you all, and I hope you are coping in these changing, busy times. Today there are 19,932 new cases in Queensland, and modelling suggests we are ...Read more >