The ‘wall of bongs’ never fails to make visitors to Mackay Hospital and Health Service’s public health unit do a double take. But the collection of seized bongs, pipes and ‘items that resemble a smoking product’ that has pride of place in the office is no laughing matter and forms an important role in training…. [Read More]

Ashton Walker is a natural runner which is why his disappointing school cross country result and subsequent illness triggered alarm bells for Mum Tara. Tara said her son was exhausted and exhibiting flu like symptoms and when he didn’t improve, she took him to their family doctor. “We took Ashton to the GP who did… [Read More]

Greg Torkington is your typical Aussier battler. The former coal miner and Collinsville resident has just been through the toughest health journey of his life but that hasn’t slowed him down. In April this year he was chasing his dog, Rip, around the yard when he kicked his toe on a concrete slab. When things… [Read More]

Mackay, Isaac and Whitsunday residents are being urged to make backyard and camp fire safety a priority as the cooler weather sets in and school holidays approach. In the past month, four people have been treated at Mackay Hospital and Health Service Emergency Departments for injuries and burns sustained by either backyard or camp fires…. [Read More]

As Helen Chapman holds up a porcelain bedpan, she reflects on the many miles she’s travelled and the stories she’s told over her 40-year nursing career.  Leaving her hometown of Tamworth in 1980, Helen started her nurse training at St Vincent’s Hospital in Darlinghurst.  The move to Sydney was quite an eye opener for the… [Read More]