An increase in snake bite presentations across Mackay Hospital and Health Service has prompted a warning by emergency doctors. Since the beginning of September, 28 people have been treated for snake bites at Mackay Base and rural hospitals, in comparison to 17 for the same period last year. Mackay Base Hospital Emergency Department physician Dr… [Read More]

Imagine having to go to the supermarket. You feel uneasy all the way to the shops and as you approach the entrance your heart starts to beat faster. Your mouth goes dry and the butterflies in your stomach begin. Your palms become sweaty; you have nausea; you feel lightheaded. Now, you are panicking. You look… [Read More]

Moranbah man McIver Watene has survived two bites by one of the world’s deadliest snakes. Venom from a brown snake left the 24-year-old in Mackay Base Hospital’s Intensive Care Unit for two days while doctors worked to stabilise his blood and kidney function. Brown snakes have a highly venomous bite and this one left Mr… [Read More]

Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day is a day to remember all the babies which have been lost during pregnancy or birth. Today we honour the estimated 106,000 babies across Australia who lose their lives to miscarriage, stillbirth and newborn death each year. Mackay mother Carmen Boulton knows the heartbreak of losing an infant and… [Read More]

“They showed me that I was worth it, worth life.”   These are Brad Cowan’s words reflecting on the care and support of mental health professionals during the most difficult time of his life. For more than 15 years Brad struggled to overcome an alcohol addiction and mental illness that impacted his ability to maintain… [Read More]