Helen Boocock

Today, 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 hard work, dedication and commitment to our patients.

The observance of Doctors’ Day dates back to 1933 to celebrate the anniversary of the first administration of anaesthesia by Dr Crawford Long in Georgia in 1842. Dr Long used ether to anaesthetise a patient to surgically remove a tumour from the patient’s neck.

I am particularly grateful to our medical team for stepping up and working tirelessly throughout the last few months to continue providing elective surgery at STARS, and for supporting our COVID ward and COVID response more broadly.

Our rehabilitation and geriatric medical team has also managed very full wards and provided support to other Metro North units to help manage capacity across the Metro North network during the latest COVID surge. We continue to provide these services with our engaged junior medical staff, who have led the way in Metro North with >95% discharge summaries being sent to GPs and patients in less than 48 hours.

Our medical colleagues are a passionate, dedicated and compassionate group who contribute greatly to the healthcare demands of our community, and I sincerely thank you. I would also like to acknowledge the families, partners and loved ones who support our doctors to provide their care at STARS.

Thank you to our medical team and the crucial role you play here at STARS.

Enjoy the rest of your week.

Best wishes,

Dr Helen Boocock, A/Executive Director STARS
Prof Nadine Foster, Director STARS Education and Research Alliance