Community and Oral Health

We had a yarn with 87-year-old pals Pat and Di this week, when they dropped off hundreds of hand-knitted beanies for newborn babies at RBWH.

The duo have been knitting for little ones born at the hospital for 10 years, since Pat's daughter Helen suggested she get involved to keep herself busy.

"Helen worked here as a nurse, and one day she posted me a pattern and said I should make beanies for the babies," Pat said.

"I photocopied the pattern and gave it to Di, and then we started giving it to our friends with a ball of wool and some needles, so they had no excuse not to start."

Pat and Di currently have three friends that knit with them, estimating they have knitted approximately 8000 beanies for little patients over the years.

"I'm a big Brisbane Broncos and Brisbane Lions fan, but I knit all the team colours for the parents who barrack for other teams - I'm told the fathers love picking these ones," Di said. 🧶 ... See MoreSee Less

Recent graduate Javad worked in orthotics for 14 years before starting his career in physiotherapy, where he is grateful to be honing his skills across various community facilities in Metro North. 💪

As part of the 12-month graduate placement, Javad has already spent time with the Healthy Ageing Assessment and Rehabilitation Team (HAART) at Kallangur and is currently working at the Brighton Health Campus Rehabilitation Unit.

“Being a graduate physiotherapist, I appreciate working in a supportive team, helping patients work toward their own personal goals and get back to the life they value," Javad said.

“It has been wonderful so far to meet people from different cultures, backgrounds and languages, and to understand how to engage with the broader health system.

“At Brighton, I’m enjoying the opportunity to work in different environments, whether in the gym or visiting people in their homes."

Community-based care is vital to meeting increasing patient demand and delivering health services closer to home. To find out more about allied health graduate opportunities in the Community and Oral Health space, click the link below and apply today! 🏡 #WorkforusWednesday

metronorth.health.qld.gov.au/community/careers/allied-health-careers ... See MoreSee Less

Lucy and Roisin are two of our Medical Imaging Assistants working in Metro North as they complete their Nuclear Medicine studies, and some of our 10,000 new health workers across QLD. 💫

While they are in the first year of their degrees, the students spend two days on the job learning from experts and working with patients.

Eighteen year old Roisin always had an interest in physics and knew that she wanted to work in this area after meeting someone in the field at a careers day.

“I also loved healthcare - it seemed like the natural fit for me, and I would like to try stay at RBWH when I finish my study because the environment is great,” Roisin said.

Lucy agreed that the hands-on training with her degree made it a natural choice.

“I think it’s such a niche profession and it has a critical shortage of staff - but PET is growing and a lot of people are in need of those scans, so it’s great to contribute to that,” Lucy added. ... See MoreSee Less

"I was born in Murgon, near Gympie and lived on my father's farm. Working with my father, he had subsequently bought me the farm across the road which became available, so I was a land owner at 17. We did dairy farming mainly; the country itself grew enough grass to milk cows. However, the lovely lady I married wasn't a farmer's wife, she was very intelligent and a talented pianist. So, we sold up and I got into pushing pens after milking cows, I adapted well and got my degree in economics and became an accountant. To my younger self, I'd say go for it again, you did some foolish things but overall, I'm fairly proud of what I have achieved."
💭 Monday Mantra, Bill, RBWH Ward 9A South Patient ... See MoreSee Less