Metro North Health

When Tropical Cyclone Alfred hit Brisbane, it brought chaos, flooding and road closures, but it also brought out a sense of community at The Prince Charles Hospital (TPCH). 🏥

Meet Liam, a clinical nurse consultant at TPCH Emergency Department who worked through the weather event.

“We thought it was coming on Saturday, but it didn’t hit as hard, then on Sunday morning, we got smashed,” Liam said.

When Liam arrived that morning, a door had been blown in, another had water damage, and a third was not working. The team had to come up with quick solutions to ensure patient care could continue despite the cyclone's impact. 🩺

With roads cut off and public transport down, many staff couldn’t get to work. Some were redirected to closer hospitals, while others stepped up, working double shifts or coming in early. Some even slept at the hospital to ensure continuous care for patients.

“I got up one night at 2am to come to work because someone couldn’t get in, someone else stayed back and then we met in the middle.”

The hospital quickly became a critical hub for the community. Power outages left patients without electricity for life-saving equipment like oxygen concentrators and heart devices. Some had only a few hours of backup power, while others relied on battery-operated heart pumps. Ambulances were called to transport these patients but as floodwaters rose, the risk of getting stranded grew, making access to medical care even more urgent. ❤️

Beyond medical care, TPCH became a community hub. People came to found shelter when taxis, buses and transport options disappeared, and many lost access to clean water, but the hospital’s supply remained safe.

“We became like a community hub for anything, really. It made me feel really good to be able to help.”

A huge thank you to Liam and all the incredible staff who went above and beyond to care for patients and the community during Tropical Cyclone Alfred. 👏 ... See MoreSee Less

Metro North Health

Meet Sookie and Emma, part of the Food Services team at The Prince Charles Hospital (TPCH).

While frontline staff cared for patients, Sookie, Emma and the Food Services team worked tirelessly behind the scenes to keep everyone fed. 🍽️

“I gave a hand wherever I could. It was really interesting, and I enjoyed understanding the roles in the kitchen and how important we are to hospital operations,” Sookie said.

Beyond feeding patients, the team also prepared extra meals for staff who had to stay overnight, working through staff shortages to make sure no one went without. ❤️

“We had a lot of camaraderie, everyone was worried about their homes, but being here with the team, getting meals to patients and doing something for the community felt really satisfying,” Emma said.

With lifts down and power on generators, delivering meals became a challenge, but they found ways to ensure patients and staff were looked after.

A huge thank you to Sookie, Emma and the entire Food Services team for keeping TPCH running when it mattered most. 👏 ... See MoreSee Less

Metro North Health

Tired of tossing and turning? It might be time to rethink your approach to sleep. 😴

TPCH is home to the some of the only adult sleep psychologists in Queensland - and Advanced Clinical Psychologist Sara is proud to be one of them!

Currently working on her PhD in Sleep Disorders, Sara is focused on how sleep impacts our overall health and wellbeing. 🧠💤

"Sleep is fundamental to our wellbeing, and understanding how to treat sleep disorders is key to improving quality of life" says Sara.

Insomnia is the most common sleep disorder Sara works with. To be diagnosed, you need to experience difficulty sleeping more than three nights a week for over three months.

"I work with a range of sleep-related conditions, including Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA), parasomnia, and insomnia. A big misconception about sleep is that people often think medication is the first line of defence for sleep problems – but that’s not true. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy is."

Quality sleep is essential for your health and wellbeing, and the right approach could make all the difference. 🙌 ... See MoreSee Less

Metro North Health

Say hello to Jen, Jodie and Dr Debbie, in the Fast Review and Integrated Liaison (FRAIL) team - a game-changing, nurse-led, interprofessional team that’s revolutionising care for older patients the TPCH! 💥👩‍⚕️👨‍⚕️

In the ED, older patients are initially cared for by emergency doctors and nurses, but when things get complicated, the FRAIL team steps in to provide specialised consultation, coordination, and support for those with complex needs.

On the wards, the FRAIL team support complex care planning and person-centred navigation. FRAIL also incorporates the TPCH RADAR service providing geriatric nursing and medical expertise to frail adults in aged care.

"Being part of the FRAIL team means we can make a real difference for older adults. We want to make sure they are getting the right support quickly and that every patient is treated with the respect and care they deserve."

The team is looking for a Nurse Navigator to join them, a genuine passion for caring for older persons is a MUST! Apply now: smartjobs.qld.gov.au/jobs/QLD-PCH623526 ... See MoreSee Less