Community enhancement continues strong vision for care closer to home

Healthcare investment in community-based care has continued with significant improvements made to existing infrastructure, community services, and patient care across Brisbane North and Moreton Bay.

Community and Oral Health Building, Engineering and Maintenance (BEMS) Manager Matt Smith said the last financial year saw a massive investment in maintenance, upgrades and infrastructure improvements across our community facilities and dental clinics.

“A range of important enhancements have occurred over the past year to improve the care and facilities provided to the frail and elderly, and the community,” Matt said.

“In early 2023, we undertook some significant upgrades to the Brighton Health Campus to support existing bedded, rehabilitation and residential aged care services which we provide to the elderly.

“Firstly, we saw the replacement of CCTV cameras and system across the Brighton campus to improve security and the safety of our patients and staff.

“Bedded services at Brighton also saw the upgrade of bathrooms and hot water systems, flooring, automatic and fixed doors, refurbishment of medication rooms and replacement of air conditioning units.

“In addition, we saw the beautification and painting of our residential aged care facility Gannet House and the replacement of LED lighting and electricals across the campus to improve energy efficiency.”

In the last financial year, more than $2 million was invested in maintenance upgrades under the Metro North Capital Works Maintenance Program.

“Improvements also occurred across sites like Cooinda House, Caboolture School Dental Clinic, Zillmere Transition Care, and Nundah and Redcliffe Community Health Centres,” Matt said.

“Additional upgrades included the switchboard and nurse call system replacements at Zillmere Transition Care to improve staff communication, and patient and staff safety.”

Matt said at Redcliffe and Nundah Community Health Centres flooring was replaced, while Cooinda House also saw major vanity replacements and a complete LED lighting and electrical replacement.

Other works included the external refurbishment of Humpybong and Caboolture School Dental Clinics.

“Last year, we saw a mammoth undertaking by our great BEMs team, including our long standing on-call contractors of electricians, plumbers, carpentry, gardening and building specialists,” Matt said.

“This tight knit team consistently delivers timely outcomes for our patients and staff, and are a constant and welcomed support here at Community and Oral Health.”

Each year, Community and Oral Health (COH) connects tens of thousands of people to community-based health care needed following their hospital stay.

COH provides more than 250,000 patient appointments or visits in the home, at our oral health clinics, health facilities, mobile dental vans and bedded services, as well as to residents at our residential aged and disability care facilities.