A graduation ceremony at Mackay Base Hospital for six Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students marks the next big step in turning their healthcare career dreams into a reality. The teens have completed an 18-month traineeship across various departments at Mackay Base Hospital as part of the Budyubari Bidyiri Kebi Stapal or Big Dream, Small… [Read More]

It’s paradoxical that Anne Oosterbroek has committed her working life to vulnerable older people when she actually grew up without grandparents. In her new role as Mackay HHS Nurse Navigator Cognitive Advocate, Anne is focussed on helping care, manage and support people that may present with cognitive impairment, dementia and/or a possible delirium. Dementia and… [Read More]

Every conversation matters and this approach is a powerful tool to safeguard the well-being of children and young people. During National Child Protection Week (1 to 7 September), the Mackay HHS Child Advocacy Service is encouraging staff to voice concerns about vulnerable families, as “every child in every community deserves a fair go.” “Healthcare providers… [Read More]

A surprising twist of fate has resulted in a Proserpine Hospital obstetrician discovering her own grandmother was the first baby born at the facility 100 years ago. It only clicked when Dr Kyren (Ky) Baxendell was reading an article about the history of maternity care in the Proserpine region and noticed the maternity ward’s official… [Read More]

In her 45 years working at Proserpine Hospital, Leigh Ironside has witnessed many incredible and dynamic changes in the nursing profession. Tourism, technology and a transient population had reshaped healthcare delivery in the Whitsunday region since the Proserpine local began her hospital-training at Mackay Base Hospital in 1979. She commenced full-time work at Proserpine Hospital… [Read More]