The Mackay Base Hospital helipad has re-opened after a temporary closure to meet new national helicopter landing guidelines. The RACQ CQ Rescue helicopter service conducted a successful test landing this morning to trial new security procedures for take-off and landings. CASA guidelines issued in November require a 50m exclusion zone that is clear of parked… [Read More]

There is a considerable increase in syphilis infections in the Mackay, Isaac and Whitsunday region In 2023 to date, there have been more than 50 cases diagnosed, well up from the five-year average of 20 cases up to 2022. Mackay HHS Chief Medical Officer Dr Charles Pain said it was necessary to formally declare an… [Read More]

Mackay Base Hospital doctor Pieter Nel was on a flight to New Zealand for a medical conference recently when he heard a call over the PA system: ‘’if there’s a medical doctor on the plane, please press the call button’’. Family members were also trying to get his attention. “I was sitting across the aisle… [Read More]

Mackay Hospital and Health Service (HHS) is happy to announce that a permanent doctor has commenced work at the Clermont Multi-Purpose Health Service (MPHS) on Monday, 6 November. The appointment is also warmly welcomed by community advocate group Clermont4Doctors. Mackay HHS Executive Director of Public Health and Rural Services Terry Johnson said both organisations had… [Read More]

The pathway to a career specialising in the care of children emerged early in his studies for Mackay Base Hospital’s Dr Gopakumar Hariharan (known to all as Dr Gopan). “I always wanted to be a paediatrician, right from my medical graduate years,” Dr Gopan said. “I was fortunate to have great feedback from my supervisors… [Read More]