Staff News
TPCH Newsletter
Staff News
TPCH Newsletter
May 2022
Message from the Executive Director
In this edition, we will highlight some of the innovative work, initiatives and people who are helping support the delivery of great care to patients at TPCH.Executive Updates
From the Director Medical Services and Director Allied Health.Recognising nursing excellence
On International Nurses Day, May 12, TPCH held its annual nursing excellence awards to recognise nurses who excel in different areas of the profession.Introducing Dr Simon Perkins, new Director Orthopaedic Surgery
TPCH has recently welcomed Dr Simon Perkins to the role of Director of Orthopaedic Surgery TPCH.April No Falls
Last month, TPCH marked April No Falls with its annual April No Falls ward competition.New Virtual Lung Nodule Clinic team
A new virtual multidisciplinary team within TPCH’s Core Thoracic Medicine Service is endeavouring to streamline the diagnosis and management pathway of patients with lung nodules.TPCH welcomes new Nurse Practitioner Delirium and Dementia
TPCH’s Internal Medicine Service has recently welcomed a new nurse practitioner to support patients with delirium and dementia.Quality and Safety Update
TPCH has performed impressively over the last few months, with no Severity Assessment Code 1 (SAC 1) events recorded by us despite the significant clinical and workforce challenges presented by ...Vale Gus Galea
Dr Gus Galea was a pioneering cardiologist and has left a legacy that should be remembered and cherished.Maintenance program keeps wheelchairs ‘wheely’ clean
TPCH’s annual Wheelchair and Maintenance program held in March was another success with over 100 wheelchairs audited in a single day.Meet Dr Nchafatso Obonyo
The Common Good Research Fellow Dr Obonyo joined TPCH’s Critical Care Research Group in 2014 and was awarded a Research Fellowship and an Innovation Grant from The Foundation in 2021.Virtual Reality helping keep kids calm
Staff in TPCH’s Children’s Emergency Department are using virtual reality technology to help reduce the anxiety levels of children when they visit hospital.News in Brief
More news from The Prince Charles Hospital.
April 2022
Message from the Executive Director
In this edition, we will highlight some of the great work and achievements of the staff and teams at TPCH. It is important we celebrate these achievements, especially with the ...Executive Updates
From the Director of Nursing and Corporate Services Director.TPCH reaches top ranks
TPCH has been ranked a top performer on the global healthcare scale, after earning a position on the World’s Best Hospital 2022 list announced in March.Welcome Kirsty Leo, Assistant Nursing Director – Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Services – Turrbal Country
TPCH has recently welcomed Kirsty Leo as Assistant Nursing Director – Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Service. As the newest member of TPCH’s Executive Leadership Team, Kirsty is responsible ...Heart Beating Strong thanks to pioneering research at TPCH
TPCH’s Critical Care Research Group has been thanked by the American doctors behind the historic Pig-Human heart xenotransplant.Alternative therapy improves patient experience
An alternative therapy program is helping improve the experience of patients in the Cognitive Assessment and Management (CAM) unit.TPCH welcomes new Nurse Navigator Cognitive Advocate
TPCH’s Internal Medicine Unit has recently welcomed a new nurse navigator to support patients with cognitive impairment.New GEMS for BEMS
Our Building Engineering and Maintenance Services (BEMS) team has recently become greener with the acquisition of some new environmentally friendly utility vehicles.Lifelong heart bonds
Nineteen year old Zoe Gardiner was born with a complex congenital heart problem that affected three out of four of her heart valves, as well as having a number of ...Social Work – Now and then
Social Workers work across more than 32 wards and clinical areas at TPCH helping patients and their families resolve psychosocial issues impacting their healthcare. A hospital social worker’s role is ...News in Brief
More news from The Prince Charles Hospital.
Previous years
November 2021
New nurse navigator welcomed
TPCH’s Internal Medicine Service has recently welcomed a new nurse navigator for rheumatology, Cheree Kimmins.Message from the Executive Director
As we inch closer towards the end of the year, it’s important we remember to stop and reflect on everything we’ve achieved over the last few months.Message from the Executive Director Allied Health
I would like to extend a warm welcome to the new Health Practitioner staff that have commenced over the past few months. We look forward to supporting you as you ...New name strengthens cultural connection
TPCH’s new modular endoscopy unit, which opened earlier this year, was recently granted a special Indigenous name, highlighting its commitment to the journey of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients.TPCH hosts first ever home grown Adult ECMO training course in Queensland
Thirty-two doctors and nurses from across Australia participated in the inaugural ECMO training course held 20 – 23 April 2021.Meet TPCH’s newest Cultural Capability Officer John
TPCH is excited to welcome Cultural Capability Officer John Corowa, who will be educating staff and contributing towards our culturally aware hospital environment.Welcome Dr Sindia Madan, TPCH’s very first dedicated staff psychologist
TPCH geriatricians have partnered with four hard-working medical students to conduct research aimed at helping improve patient outcomes for people with dementia.TPCH medical students instrumental in research study now published authors
TPCH geriatricians have partnered with four hard-working medical students to conduct research aimed at helping improve patient outcomes for people with dementia.Ann keeping people with Parkinson’s disease connected
TPCH Speech Pathologist Ann Finnimore helps patients with Parkinson’s disease to manage the speech, swallowing and communication difficulties that frequently develop as a result of this progressive neurological disorder.Group brings generations together
TPCH’s Older Persons Mental Health Team (TPCH-OPMHT) has adopted a new direction for its consumer wellness group by looking at new ways to help address the feelings of loneliness and ...Sisters receive lifesaving heart valve procedures from top TPCH cardiology team
Sisters Rita Cooper and Maureen Lowe share more than just their genetics – they now also share the same treating team, having undergone the same TAVI procedure by TPCH cardiologists ...IMS goes green
Members of TPCH’s Internal Medicine Service (IMS) team went green last month, with a tree planting activity to help make the campus more environmentally friendly.News in Brief
Short stories from November
July 2021
A colourful wait for vaccination clinic
Thanks to the creative efforts of students at the McDowall State School, waiting after a COVID-19 vaccination has just become more interesting.Sterile Stores Project
TPCH Surgical Services are set to benefit from a works project to improve the storage of stock in the operating theatre.Healthy conversion for TPCH gardeners
Who thought gardeners could get any greener? Well TPCH gardeners are proving they can do just that with the recent conversion of their gardening equipment from petrol to rechargeable battery ...Rola keen to roll on patient flow
TPCH has recently welcomed Rola Tawbe to the role of Nursing Director of Hospital Wide and Clinical Support Services (HWCSS).PEARS marks sweet milestone
TPCH’s cardiac surgical team has marked an important milestone after performing its 50th PEARS procedure last month. The ground-breaking Personalised External Aortic Root Support (PEARS) procedure is designed prevent fatal ...GEM@Home trial
TPCH’s Geriatric Evaluation Management (GEM) Ward has commenced an innovative new trial to support patients to receive care in their own home and reduce hospital readmissions.TPCH welcomes new IHLO
Sam Tochterman-Talbott has a passion for helping people. A proud Gamilaraay/Gomeroi and Bigambul man, and the eldest of seven children, Sam is a natural caretaker of those closest to him, a ...CF Unit brings exercise home to patients
An innovative virtual exercise program introduced by TPCH’s Adult Cystic Fibrosis (CF) physiotherapy team is having great success with patients.New cardiac genomics service provides personalised medicine
The recent introduction of a cardiac genomics service at TPCH is providing patients with greater access to personalised medicine through the early detection of inherited cardiac diseases.Super Saturday improves endoscopy wait times
Staff from TPCH’s Endoscopy Service have gone above and beyond after recently hosting a Super Saturday to see more patients and improve endoscopy wait times.Message from the Chair of TPCH Clinical Council
The Prince Charles Clinical Council members who come from across different hospital disciplines have been working with the hospital executive to deal with clinical service delivery issues especially during this ...Message from the Facility Services Director
Currently, we are working with the Building Engineering and Maintenance Services and staff across the facility to undertake a range of improvement initiatives and projects.Message from the Acting Director of Nursing
I would like to extend a warm welcome to the 30 new nursing staff who commenced at TPCH in June. We look forward to supporting them as they embark on ...Message from the Executive Director
Welcome to the July edition of TPCH’s Staff Newsletter. Celebrating the achievements and work of our staff is an essential part of hospital life, particularly in the current environment, where ...
April 2021
Message from the Executive Director
Welcome to TPCH’s April staff newsletter. I am keen to keep staff well informed about all of the important activities and events planned for our hospital this year including some ...Patient Compliment
Patient Compliment: Cognitive Assessment Management (CAM) UnitWe honour Emeritus Professor Malcolm West AM
The Prince Charles Hospital and Community has lost one of its legends. Emeritus Professor Malcolm West was a great teacher and mentor, master clinician, and well-respected researcher and academic who ...Bossy gives paw-fect pick me up for patients
Patients recovering from orthopaedic surgery at TPCH are getting the paw-fect pick me up thanks to Ward 2D’s new therapy dog. Bossy, an eight-year old Labrador Dalmatian, visits the ward ...TPCH staff embrace health care service innovation
When TPCH Nurse Navigator Jodie Huntley-Forde and Nurse Unit Manager Louise Perkins were selected as part of Metro North’s second cohort of 30 staff to commence the Graduate Certificate in ...New Nurse Practitioner candidates welcomed
TPCH’s Internal Medicine Program has recently welcomed two Nurse Practitioner candidates. Ruth Brotchie and Elise Power are TPCH and Metro North’s new Nurse Practitioner candidates for Delirium and Cognitive Impairment, ...SEED funding success
Two TPCH projects have been successful in Metro North’s recent SEED and LINK funding rounds, both supporting the introduction of novel care models to improve patient outcomes and the patient ...Elders bring community voice to TPCH
TPCH’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Steering Committee has become the first within Metro North to welcome consumers, supporting the hospital to deliver more culturally appropriate care to patients. ...FRAIL team to strengthen care of older persons
The introduction of a new specialist service is set to improve the care of frail older people presenting to The Prince Charles Hospital (TPCH). The Fast Review and Integrated Liaison ...TPCH kicks off vaccine rollout
TPCH’s COVID-19 vaccine rollout kicked off last month with around 500 staff receiving their vaccination during the first week. Staff who received the vaccine were part of the Phase 1a ...New endoscopy suite sees first patients
TPCH Endoscopy Service has reached an important milestone with the first patients being seen through the new modular suites last month. Intensive preparation was undertaken by staff to ensure the ...Message from the Executive Director Allied Health
Welcome to all the new allied health staff who have joined TPCH this year. It’s great to have some new faces on board. Congratulations to those staff who have recently ...Message from the Executive Director Medical Services
Last month we celebrated Doctor’s Day to acknowledge and honour the valuable service doctors provide to our patients and the community. At TPCH, we marked this international day of recognition ...
January 2021
Message from the Executive Director
Welcome to the new year as we look ahead to the challenges and successes of 2021. Even though this year has just begun, it has already been a very busy ...Endoscopy Unit Expansion
Works have commenced on a building project to expand TPCH’s Gastroenterological and Endoscopy Service, allowing more procedures to be delivered to patients.Young doctor recognised for research efforts
A young doctor at TPCH has been recognised for her research endeavours after becoming the recipient of two notable research awards.ACU/TPCH Clinical School cohort welcomed
TPCH and Australian Catholic University (ACU) recently welcomed its newest group of Clinical School nursing students to the hospital.SMHRU celebrates 20 years
TPCH’s Secure Mental Health Rehabilitation Unit (SMHRU) recently marked a major milestone when it celebrated its 20th anniversary with a special event attended by staff and clients of the unit.NAIDOC Week event celebrates culture
TPCH staff came together late last year to celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history and culture during the hospital’s annual NAIDOC Week event.TPCH welcomes new junior doctors
TPCH has kickstarted the new year with some new faces, with 24 medical interns recently joining the hospital as doctors.World-first treatment for silicosis underway at TPCH
Clinicians and Researchers from TPCH and The University of Queensland (UQ) have developed whole lung lavage, a ground-breaking new treatment that provides hope to those suffering with artificial stone silicosis.
September 2020
NOFEAR – A bold era in hip fracture research
The establishment of TPCH’s Fractured Neck of Femur (NOF) service 10 years ago marked the start of a new era of care for elderly individuals with a broken hip.Tribute to Joanne Maguire – A Bright Star
Having cared for her unwell husband at home, his passing left a big gap in Jo’s life. Not one to sit idly by, in 2002 Jo decided to put ...Three cheers for 46 years! Farewell Kathy
On a Friday in November 1974, Kathy Muhling walked into Royal Brisbane Hospital (RBH) to enquire about job vacancies. Half an hour later she was asked to start on Monday ...TPCH Culture Council – driving positive change
TPCH’s Culture Council is a group of staff whose focus is to help build a culture that focuses on the shared goal of caring for our people to the best ...MET training gets a boost
Facilitators from intensive care, emergency department and various medical teams have joined forces to boost Medical Emergency Team (MET) training to improve staff skills in responding to ‘real’ emergencies.New direction for admin at TPCH
Administration services at TPCH have a new direction with the recent appointment of six new Administration Managers who will provide improved support to clinical programs in the delivery of patient ...TPCH delivers another Australian-first
Interventional cardiologist duo Drs Karl Poon and Dale Murdoch had just 10 seconds to save Nadeane Giles in a complex Australian-first heart procedure. Suffering from mitral stenosis, a severe narrowing ...Becoming culturally capable
Henry Nona has a passion for culture. For the last eight years, Henry has been a Cultural Capability Officer, focussed on building vital connections between the Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait ...Fractured NOF service celebrates a decade of care
The establishment of TPCH’s Fractured Neck of Femur (NOF) service 10 years ago marked the start of a new era of care for elderly individuals with a broken hip.Meet the Whole Lung Lavage team
TPCH is home to the innovative Whole Lung Lavage team which is saving the lives of young people with silicosis, a disease which mainly affects stonemasons. The recent silicosis epidemic ...Message from the Executive Director
Welcome to the second TPCH staff newsletter for 2020. A lot has happened since our last newsletter back in February as a result of COVID-19, so I am pleased to ...Paul praises TPCH COVID-19 health heroes
When Paul Mahony left TPCH’s intensive care unit after 45 days, he was completely unaware of how close he had come to never seeing his wife of 43 years again, ...