Community and Oral Health

TPCH Recreation Officer Adam is on a roll helping consumers in the Secure Mental Health Rehabilitation Unit (SMHRU), using painting and decorating of skateboard decks to portray their stories. 🛹🎨

“I really encouraged them to use words and images on the decks that are meaningful to them, and the clients that came down, they really got involved in it, really enjoyed what they have done,” Adam said, reflecting on the unique activity.

“I enjoy looking after the clients, working out what their interests are and how I can tap into that to make their stay here a lot more pleasant and comfortable.

“It also giving them skills and introducing new things that hopefully help them move forward in their lives.”

The skateboards will be mounted in the SMHRU front office foyer so everyone can see and appreciate the creativity of our consumers. 🤩 ... See MoreSee Less

For many patients, faith can have an integral role in their healing and wellbeing during their hospital stay. 🙏❤️‍🩹

TPCH Senior Chaplain Judy coordinates pastoral care services for patients that nominate a denomination when they are admitted to hospital, supporting a wide range of religions.

"We receive lists of patients via their admissions denomination and also via phone referrals, and then our volunteers like Eugene [pictured] will make their way through their list for the day, visiting their patients," Judy said.

"We see people when they've often had a life changing diagnosis, this is a heart and chest hospital after all, and the patients call the shots. We have many patients that might come down from the flying doctor service, so they have no one to talk to until their families arrive sometime days later.

"You don't even have to be religious to want to see a chaplain, we ask them how we can help, sometimes that is end of life prayers or sometimes it is just for a chat."

#ShoutoutSaturday to Judy, Eugene, and all of our chaplains and volunteers across Metro North. You can find out more about our spiritual support services available at Metro North here: metronorth.health.qld.gov.au/about-us/multicultural-health/spiritual-support-services ... See MoreSee Less