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"I`ve been coming here for dialysis for about seven years, and I`ve always lived in Brisbane but I was born on the Gold Coast. My husband and I live locally with our little dog, a moodle. I spent 25 years at Australia Post but retired from that a couple of years ago. I loved travelling through the UK and Ireland, my mum is from Belfast, and I have relatives in Ireland. I like to read but I`ve found you get a bit drowsy sitting here so I spend time watching TV and snoozing. Always try and stay positive, keep a positive mindset because nothing lasts forever. Life is short so just enjoy the ride."

💭 Monday Mantra, Alannah, Dialysis Patient at North Lakes Health Precinct ...

Approximately 16,000 people in Australia are on dialysis, a life-saving treatment that works on behalf of the kidneys when they have failed. 🩸

Registered Nurse at the North Lakes Health Precinct Marvin explains how the process works for those on dialysis.

"There is a long tube on the machine which acts as the artificial kidney and then there is a section in the machine that is pumping their blood which acts as a heart, the machine mimics what is going on inside the body," he said.

"When blood comes out of the body, it goes to the artificial kidney and that`s where the dialysis takes place. The machine has fluid in it that is mixed in, and when the blood makes contact with the fluid, it acts like a magnet. The toxins are drained out and the blood is cleaned."

For some patients, they may be able to get dialysis at home rather than coming to our hospital facilities.

"For home treatment, they need to be at least stable on dialysis, and compliant with the program. Then they will go on training and then they will be assessed, once they are good to go, we will arrange a visit to their home, see if there is a place it can be set up, and get engineering involved for installation," Marvin said. ...

Staff Specialist Dr Gary lives a double a life working in both the RBWH Emergency and Trauma Centre and as the Australian Wallabies team doctor!

After moving from Northern Ireland to play rugby and work as a junior doctor in 2011, Gary has found his niche working across two roles that combine his passions.

"My interest is in concussion and traumatic brain injury research. I have been able to combine my roles with the Jamieson Trauma Institute, RBWH ETC and Rugby Australia to research concussions and ways to make the game safer and also manage patients who present to our emergency departments," he said.

“It is always hard to balance both ETC and rugby schedules and I often go straight back to work the day after games, but I have a lot of support from both organisations to make it work.

"A career highlight was the British and Irish Lions tour last season and I`m looking forward to the home Rugby World Cup next year, where many of my RBWH colleagues will also be supporting me on the matchday medical teams."

👏#ShoutoutSaturday to Dr. Gary, and best of luck to the Wallabies who are playing at Suncorp Stadium tonight! ...