Do you know how important our occupational therapists are in our palliative care settings? OTs are critical to ensuring our patients can continue to do meaningful activities at the end of their life, including undertaking self-care and enjoying their hobbies. 🎨🎣🕺

Because we want patients to maintain quality of life at all times, we have a new role at RBWH as part of this specialised service - with senior occupational therapist Belinda excited about the role.

"This role will be able to help in modifying day to day active such as personal care, activities around the home and help with self-dignity in those final stages," Belinda said.

"We also help with symptom management, pain and fatigue, and education and training for family and carers to take of loved ones at home."

To apply for this new and highly sought after role, click here: bit.ly/3zfqbgl #WorkforusWednesday ... See MoreSee Less

Making decisions at end of life can be difficult, but a Clinical Excellence Queensland idea can help patients and their families to work through the process.

The team have created The Care Companion, which is a decision aid document that the patient can complete with their treating team, prompting the patient to work through honest conversations and answer questions about values, preferences, and next steps in their health journey.

The project was co-designed with consumers and hundreds of healthcare professionals in Queensland, like Natalie and Elise who are from RBWH and now at the HealthCare Improvement Unit which is part of Healthcare Excellence and Innovation, alongside Allison, who is also at HEI.

"Making health decisions can be really challenging. It's important that people have enough information and support to fully participate in making a heath decision that's right for them," Nat said. 🤍

"The care companion can be introduced by patients, carers, or healthcare professionals, helping all involved to understand the health condition, what might happen in the future, what matters to the person, how this might influence decision-making, as well as understanding the decision, the risks, benefits and unknowns of each treatment and care option."

[Accessibility image description: Nat, Allison and Elise stand side by side holding up the care companion paperwork.] ... See MoreSee Less

Last week we played host to 16 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander female high school students from Far North Queensland at RBWH as part of the GoHealth Careers Expo. 🏥

The girls came from Djarragun College (Cairns), Kirwan State High School (Townsville), Heatley Secondary College (Townsville) and Bwgcolman Community School (Palm Island), and for some of them it was the first time on a plane or to a large city.

RBWH is Queensland's largest hospital, so the girls were inspired by a range of leading career opportunities on their tour, which took them through Nursing and Midwifery, Food Services, Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech Pathology, Orthotics and Prosthetics and CSDS Medical Simulations.

Metro North's senior diversity equity and inclusion advisor Thomas coordinated the visit, which was hugely impactful on the students.

"This will potentially be a life-changing trip for some of the students, and we will hopefully see some of them joining the Queensland Health Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workforce in the future," he said. 👨‍🍳👩‍⚕️👩‍🍼 ... See MoreSee Less

The wall leading into the Sony YouCan Centre at RBWH got a glow up last week after a 11-piece mural was created by various local artists and patients, thanks to mental health nurse and artist, Taneal. 🎨🧑‍🎨

The Sony YouCan Centre offers a safe space that doesn't feel like a hospital for adolescents and young adults from across Queensland aged 15 to 25 undergoing cancer treatment.

"I wanted to offer a fun and bright alternative reality to the clinical environment- my piece was inspired by Willy Wonka, Dr. Seuss and the 70's - all of which I believe to evoke positivity," Taneal said.

"I wanted to be able to give our young adults affected by cancer the opportunity to leave their mark and paint at a large scale with a professional muralist - as it is a unique and therapeutic opportunity that not everyone is able to experience."

#ShoutoutSaturday👏 to Taneal and everyone involved in bringing this to life. ... See MoreSee Less

"I read a lot. I love a good sci-fi but it’s got to be good. I've picked up some books in hospital from the library guy who comes around. I’d rather read than do anything else. I have a small family and a great bunch of friends. We go out every Tuesday and Friday for a coffee and a laugh. They are such lovely people and I’m so pleased that I know them. Even though my days can be tough sometimes, I always try to smile. I’m most looking forward to having a cappuccino from my coffee machine when I get home."

#MondayMantra ☁️ Heather, 78 years old, RBWH vascular ward patient.

[Accessibility image description: Heather wears a dark floral top sitting in a chair near a window,] ... See MoreSee Less