News archive
Ekka Champion Gordon owes a lot to RBWH nurse navigator Suzie
Through years of health struggles, 98-year-old Gordon Hooper has always been able to fall back on his love of painting for joy and diversion during the tough times.
QUT Metro North Nursing and Midwifery Academy
A partnership between Metro North Health and QUT is providing an integrated approach to education, recruitment and retention, development and support for nurses and midwives throughout their careers, including research pathways.
Whole Genome Sequencing pilot helps patients and families of rare disease
A successful Genetic Health Queensland pilot project offering Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) has helped over 800 young people in Queensland since commencing the trial in 2021.
The ‘immense’ power of reading to babies in intensive care
Little Royal Readers at RBWH NICU exemplifies the hospital’s commitment to holistic care, where the simple act of reading becomes so much more than just words.
$8 million investment for RBWH mental health emergency care
The Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital Psychiatric Emergency Centre (PEC) will receive an $8 million funding boost to improve its facilities for Queenslanders in mental health crisis.
New SMS service provides back-pocket alcohol and drug support
Adis 24/7 Alcohol and Drug Support has serviced Queenslanders for over 30 years, and is now expanding its offering to a SMS support service.
New community mental health centre open in Spring Hill
Metro North Mental Health community services in the RBWH catchment have relocated to a new Spring Hill-based Centre, providing streamlined multidisciplinary care for consumers through a single location.
Rhonda retires after 52 years of nursing
Rhonda Purtill will soon be closing the chapter on her 52-year long nursing career.
Joint research project breathes new life into nurse life support training
A research project between Caboolture Hospital and the University of the Sunshine Coast is breathing new life into basic life support training for clinical staff.
Specialist infusion services added to Caboolture, Kilcoy and Woodford service offering
Patients requiring infusions and transfusions can soon access the new Bribie Island Satellite Hospital Day Medical Transfusion Services.
Green Metro North takes home sustainability gong at Queensland Health Excellence Awards
Metro North Health has been acknowledged for its sustainability excellence at the 2024 Queensland Health Excellence Awards.
Why do hospital falls happen and how can we prevent them?
Falls in hospital can lead to extended stays. There are some practical strategies bedside nurses can implement to prevent falls.
Celebrities, smiles and celebrations as biggest ever Giving Day smashes target
On 12 June the RBWH Foundation held their most successful Giving Day, raising over $750,000, well in excess of the original $600,000 target.
TPCH junior doctor takes out 30 under 30 title
The Prince Charles Hospital orthopaedic surgery Principal House Officer Helena Franco can now add a prestigious Forbes 30 under 30 title to her list of achievements.
Comas explained by Dr Townsend
Can a patient dream or hear things while in a coma?
The apology that started a movement
It has been 15 years since the RBWH became the first hospital in Australia to apologise for the practice of forced adoption, triggering a nation-wide movement.
Best exercises to do for health and longevity
What are the best exercises for health and longevity? The exercises you will actually do and keep doing.
The top five nasty winter illnesses: what they are and recommended treatment
Dr Kanthi Vemuri discusses the top five nasty winter illnesses that are circulating at the moment, what they are, and recommended treatment.
Caboolture Hospital diabetic research attracting global attention
A project trial started at Caboolture Hospital to define the best choice of fluid therapy for patients with severe diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is now attracting global attention.
New clinic providing specialist heart care closer to home
A new community outreach clinic is providing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the Brisbane North region with access to more culturally safe specialist cardiac care closer to home.
New Board Chair brings passion for health justice and equity
Bernard Curran brings wealth of experience as new Metro North Board Chair
Luenne’s career has taken her from the hotel quarantine program to Mental Health staff psychologist
Advanced staff psychologist Luenne Zielke provides psychological services to Mental Health and corporate services staff as well as Metro North’s Peer Responders.
Dr Renuka Sekar explains Rhesus disease
Rhesus disease is a condition where antibodies in a pregnant woman's blood attack her baby's blood cells.
How to get moving to improve your mood
Pine Rivers Community Health Centre Psychologist and fitness guru Chris Pomfret provides his tips for starting a regular exercise routine and staying interested.
App a breakthrough for diabetes foot ulcers
A new mobile phone app developed by clinicians and researchers at The Prince Charles Hospital (TPCH) and QUT is assisting with improved home-management of diabetic foot ulcers.
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Lucy brings comfort and courage to kids at Caboolture Hospital 🤩
🤗 As a Child Life Therapist, Lucy’s role is to support children’s emotional wellbeing during their hospital stay.
“We use medical play to demonstrate to children what’s going to happen and also use positive distraction techniques while they are getting procedures, such as a cannula,” Lucy said.
Lucy’s passion for the role comes from previous work experience as a paediatric occupational therapist, where she worked with neurodiverse children.
“I know how difficult it can be, so my goal is to make it a little easier for the children and their parents during such a stressful time in an unfamiliar environment.”
As well as supporting children, Lucy knows the toll having a child in hospital can have on parents.
"The emotional wellbeing of parents is often overlooked. As well as supporting children, I also provide strategies and tools for parents and other family members to manage what can be a difficult time."
Lucy has recently become a permanent member of the Caboolture Hospital team thanks to funding from The Common Good Au
Best wishes, Lucy👍 Thanks for continued support to The Common Good Au, believing the power of Child Life Therapist service to turn tears into curiosity, and fear into resilience. ❤️
This is amazing! Such a great service
We were proud to fund the very first Child Life Therapist at The Prince Charles Hospital in 2022, and we’re equally proud to now extend support of that role into Caboolture Hospital. A huge thank you to our amazing and generous community of supporters who help make this possible! ❤️ If you'd like to help us do even more across TPCH and CAB, you can donate at tcg.org.au/donate
Such a vital role that's often overlooked, misunderstood and underutilised. Thanks for the amazing work you do!
Welcome, it’s great to have you Lucy!
Well done community .. Congratulations.
What a wonderful role!! Would be great to see these roles across the HHS but also available for our adults with disabilities
This is cool Liz Green
Ashlee Hanley
Donation Specialist Nurse, Barb knows that conversations about death can be difficult, but has seen firsthand how they sometimes lead to the ultimate gift of kindness for others. ❤️🩹
Barb is a nurse of 36 years, starting her journey as a student. Over the years, she has built many relationships with patients and their loved ones at Redcliffe and Caboolture hospitals. 🥰
"My main role is supporting families and staff within the ICU when we can offer organ donation," she shares.
"I have talked with many families and heard stories of their loved ones' wish to donate."
"It warms my heart when I can help a family as they move through their own grief to give consent for organ and tissue donation."
💞 Steve made the decision to donate his wife's organs after they had conversations before her untimely passing in 2022, and he continues to advocate for this important cause.
"Around eight in ten families say yes to donation when they know their family member is on the donor register, but this drops to four in ten when they don't know if their family member wanted to donate," Steve says.
"It's so important to have the conversation with your family, as well as registering, because while four in five people support organ donation, only one in three are registered."
"I've been humbled by the support our family have received from the Donate Life team and encourage everyone to have the conversation today."
Click here for more information www.donatelife.gov.au/
Barb ❤️
Honoured to have worked with you Barb!
Nicely done Steve and the always fabulous Barb 👏👏👏 DonateLife 🩷
Barb is both Wonderful and inspiring.
Organ donation means a lot to me and my family as my father donated his organs earlier in the year. We received incredible support from the donate life team at SCUH
Absolute legends! Always have the conversation. It's so important
Did my Training with Barbara Williams she’s a fab person to have on the team ❤️
Lovely story Barb they are very lucky to have you on the team 🥰💕
💕🌹🌷💐🌺💜🙏
😇 Angles
This is a conversation everyone should have with loved ones. I wish Australia would adopt an Opt Out policy so that donation was a given, respecting the rights of people to opt out if they so desired. Think of how many more lives could be saved by this simple act. 
Celebrity Barbara!!!!
Legend Barb, great work ❤️
Thanks Barb. I friend of mine recently received an organ donation and it's changed her life. Thank you to all donors and their families xx
Fantastic work Barb Barbara Williams 💕
Thank you for all you do Barb Barbara Williams 😘😘
Barbara Williams 💕💕💕💕
Steve Pardey 💎
Barb is an amazing asset to our team. It takes very special people to be able to have these conversations. Thank you to all the donation specialists nurses.
Jayne McRostie
Still got it Barb! Thanks for your long time dedication!
It’s Barbara!!!! Amazing work ❤️❤️
What a wonderful role you play in supporting & changing lives of those in your care. You’re amazing!
Barbara Williams ♥️
👏🏼👏🏼
🦴 When it comes to healthy skeletons, RBWH registrar Dr Lachie makes no bones about looking after yours as a top priority, especially as our population ages.
During his term with the Geriatric Evaluation and Management Service (GEMS) team at Caboolture Hospital, Dr Lachie saw a number of patients whose undiagnosed osteoporosis was contributing to preventable injuries and possibly landing them in hospital.
🩺 Dr Lachie's interests in prevention as well as community-based rehabilitation play an important part in a patient's recovery, and he believes that prevention is the best medicine.
"Fractures from small falls are considered minimal trauma, and these falls from a standing height are sometimes the first indication of osteoporosis," he says.
"While treatment is easily managed, prevention is a much better way to avoid long-term problems."
"Having a good, continuous relationship with your GP and getting regular health checks as well as keeping active are the best preventative measures."
Agree with all the above comments and more ! Well done Dr Vipin
Great bloke! Great doctor!
Oh my gosh, this is the most beautiful, wholesome bunch of comments I’ve ever seen on a fb post! So refreshing. Dr Lachie sounds amazing and very much loved 🥰
What a legend!
Smashing goals Lachie. Patients in your hands are blessed and you are an asset to your team.
He's the man. It's as simple as that 🙌🙌
Loved working with you at Caboolture, Lauchie, such a compassionate doctor xxx
😍
A great Reg indeed. Lachie continues to passionately contribute what is best for Geriatric population. Hope he comes back to Caboolture Hospital someday.
Oh wondered where you had gone. Your missed at Caboolture Hospital. What a great asset RBWH has gained. Thanks for being prompt and kind to us Logistics nurses.
Brittany Carina did you steal lachie from us ?
Lachie is the best!!!! Love working with you.
Awesome work
Awesome! Thanks for all your efforts!
Yiu are so missed on the GEM ward at Caboolture. One of the best young doctors I have met. Goes above and beyond not only for patients but for colleagues as well.
You’re sorely missed Lachie!
Y'all at CABH can't have him back. RBWH Renal have stolen him! Such a great Reg to work with 🙌
Lachie, Thank you for your dedication and services in keeping our community safe! We miss you at Cobbo!
Lachie your a star ⭐️ A very inclusive doctor who treats everyone with respect and kindness. We miss you at Caboolture ❤️
One of the best doctors, We miss you Dr Lachie!
We really miss you at Caboolture hospital… hoping you will join here again
Dear Dr Paterson, your absence at Caboolture has been noted by multiple nursing staff - please return to Caboolture hospital as soon as practical. Thank you for your prompt compliance. We miss you 😊
One of the best & nicest Dr I have worked with! 🫡
If you've been a patient at Caboolture Hospital in recent weeks, you may have been lucky enough to spend time in the recently relocated Transit Lounge with one of these friendly faces. 🧳
Acting Nurse Unit Manager (NUM) Bianca, and Clinical Nurse and Complex Discharge Planner Taylor have spent a collective total of 25 years at Caboolture Hospital and have witnessed many changes as the facility has expanded.
👋 During her years at Caboolture, Bianca has been a friendly face in several wards throughout the hospital including acting Nurse Unit Manager (NUM) at the Transit Lounge. She feels immensely proud the teams she's worked in throughout the changes to the facility.
"The Caboolture team has a dedication and kindness that ensures our patients and community are cared for to a high standard," Bianca shares.
Taylor was a school-based trainee at Caboolture Hospital 15 years ago and now ensures patients receive high-quality care beyond their hospital stay as a Discharge Planner. She equips patients with knowledge and resources to empower and support their ongoing care and was also a part of the planning team that developed the Caboolture Hospital expansions. 🏗️
"I've given birth to my three children in the maternity ward here and have been fortunate enough to provide support and care to families I grew up with during some of their darkest days."
"That will always bring me a great sense of pride."
Thank you to our Metro North Health heroes Bianca and Taylor for the great work you're doing for our Caboolture community members. 💕
Well look at you two now..... !! Congrats xox
Well done Ladies
This is so great Bianca Howard loved working with you🥰
Well done girls xx
Well done to you beautiful ladies xo Both deserve recognition
Well done Bianca Howard Miss working together 😊
Yay. Bianca Howard you are now facebook famous.
You both are truly making a difference in the lives of others! Your dedication and compassion are an inspiration to us all! 💕. Great work legends Taylor Robertson & Bianca Howard 👏
Two of the very best 🥰
Super ladies, super nurses 👏🏻🤩👏🏻
Amazing achievement Bianca, you're an amazing nurse x
Hi from Ivan &Colleen Kirk. Great Job You Both Doing Thank You 😊
Bianca and Taylor are amazing nurses 💕
Leah Robbie Adam Licari
Yes that’s for sure. Taylor is amazing at her job. Very caring. And Bianca… well she is a legend with her own following. Definitely they give our hospital a good experience to work with them. ♥️👌🌈
Well done to both of you for providing amazing care for the community. Miss working with both of you.
Great work Taylor & Bianca! 👏🏼💕
All the nurses at Caboolture Hospital are Angel's especially the Recovery Nurses ❤
These two nurses have the biggest hearts and have such great professionalism. So proud to work along side them both. Well deserved praise.
Bianca Howard best nurse Bianca!!!! Love seeing you celebrated in this way. You deserve all the praise 👏 🙌 🙏
You're amazing! 💕
Both are amazing ladies to work with! 🎈🎊🎉
Awww hello Bianca Howard 🥳
Great work Taylor!
Love Taylor Robertson your in the best hands