Newsroom

40 is a magic number at TPCH this week and is especially important to patient Vicky and her partner Tony, as she`s hoping to walk back down the aisle for their 40th wedding anniversary soon! 🥰💑

Vicky suffered a stroke while undergoing open heart surgery last year, and has spent 100 days in hospital, with three of those weeks being in the ICU. During her recovery, she has had to relearn how to eat, walk, talk and use her left hand.

Vicky has worked closely with her wonderful TPCH team of physios, speech therapists, OT`s and nurses, and has used the upgraded installations in the mobility garden, with funds donated as part of the “Rehab Path to Recovery” Project from @thecommongoodau.

Her husband Tony and sons have been with her every step of the way, with extra physio lessons on weekends and visits with the grandkids in the new area featuring wheelchair friendly updates and installations that mimic everyday challenges faced by recovering patients at home. 🌿👩‍🦽‍➡️👣

"We make sure to get out and about every day, with the best part of my recovery enjoying this peaceful space outside of the usual hospital environment," Vicky said. ...

“My birthday is on ANZAC day, so I get a flyover, a 21-gun salute and a public holiday every year! I moved to Australia 38 years ago from the North Island of New Zealand with my husband, and we moved to the Sunshine Coast. I did secretarial work and knew shorthand, learning some computer skills here. After that, I started working at spotlight; I’ve always been interested in knitting, sewing and tapestry – I was there for 15 years! My advice for my younger self would be to take a step back and have a look at the situation before you decide what to do.”

💭 Monday Mantra, Cheryl, 78, Interim Care Unit patient at Brighton Campus. ...

Caboolture patient Roze’s aspiration journey is helping researchers build an app that will diagnose other children with the same condition, all throughout the world. 👏🤳

Six-year-old Roze was born at Caboolture Hospital and was experiencing ongoing respiratory and feeding difficulties, which explains years of illness, fatigue and repeated infections.

Following investigations, clinicians found a deep interarytenoid groove, (also known as a minor laryngeal cleft,) that causes Roze to aspirate fluids into her airway. This means food or fluids sometimes enter her airway when swallowing, which can lead to serious short and long-term lung disease in children. 🗣️

Roze and her mum Emma are now contributing to a study at Caboolture Hospital where the team, led by Adj Assoc Prof Thuy Frakking, are developing a digital app to diagnose swallowing impairment.

“The development of an accurate algorithm to classify aspiration in children will help progress to the development of an app that families and clinicians can access worldwide without the need for x-ray,” Adj Assoc Prof Frakking said. ...

From coordinating Mahjong tournaments to cultivating the culinary skills of the community, Brighton Wellness Hub`s Claire has a diverse and rewarding role!

As Manager for consumer and community partnership, Claire leads the Community and Oral Health Engagement Team providing services, activities, and valuable information designed to support people on their journey towards wellness. 🍎🤗

"We have a very active participation in the space, from both patients and community members, and rely heavily on feedback from them," shared Claire.

"Our participants share what they`d like to know more about, and we work with MNH services and external providers to make it happen!

"This year we`re excited to provide opportunities including cooking classes with a nutritionist, Scam Awareness information sessions, and our Death Cafe discussions that are gaining popularity."

Patients, carers and community members interested in learning more about the services are encouraged to reach out to the Brighton Wellness Hub on their website (via the comments below). 👇

👏 Shoutout Saturday to our remarkable Wellness Hub team for listening to what our community wants and making it happen. ...