Queensland Health

Your office plants aren't the only ones that need a little TLC (tender loving care) sometimes. ❤️ Taking care of your mental wellbeing at work helps you stay focussed, feel good, and support others too. Here are some small activities you can use to water your mind: 🚶 go for a nature walk on your break 🍵 make yourself a cup of tea 🎧 listen to a podcast 🥘 have lunch with a colleague. What plant will you choose to water this week? ℹ️ Source: Queensland Health

Meet Jessie and her mum Sue who, respectively, are the fourth and third generations of nurses in their family! 👩👩👧👧🩺 Jessie is a newly qualified registered nurse who has recently joined the Surgical Orthopaedic Assessment Unit at Cairns Hospital. Nursing is in the blood for this mother-daughter duo. Jessie has followed in the footsteps of not only her mother, but her grandmother and great-grandmother too! Generations of nurses, like Jessie and Sue, are what keeps our hospitals and health centres going strong. Welcome to the team, Jessie; your patients are so lucky to have you! 🫶 If you're interested in a career in nursing, learn more here: https://lnkd.in/gBRDG-SF Via Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service

It's 3pm, and your energy has tanked. What'll get you through the afternoon? It's natural for you to feel tired in the afternoon. It's just your circadian rhythm (sleep/wake pattern) telling your body it needs a rest. It can make you yawn and stretch, feel a bit irritable and affect your productivity. While you might be tempted to tuck into chocolate and chug down some strong coffee, it won't help in the long run. It's okay occasionally, but doing this every day can lead to further health issues, like insomnia, increased cortisol (stress hormone), and blood sugar fluctuations. Instead, when you feel your energy starting to dip: 🍎 eat a healthy snack — try a piece of fruit, some veggie sticks or a protein bar 🚶 go for a quick walk outside (remember to slip, slop, slap, seek and slide) 💧 drink a glass of water 🎵 listen to your favourite music 😴 have a little power nap (check with your manager first) 😮💨 do some slow, deep breathing. These will all help boost your energy in a healthier way, and you'll feel better for it. Go on, give it a go! ℹ️ Sources: Better Health; Calm

'In rural healthcare, no two days are the same. One minute, you're helping a patient navigate the health system, and the next, you're solving a transport crisis to get them to a specialist appointment. It’s challenging, but that’s what I love about it!' Meet Shannon, a nurse navigator rural generalist at Bowen Hospital. ✨ For the past six years, Shannon has been helping patients navigate the healthcare system, supporting people of all ages—from children to older adults. 'In rural hospitals, you get to know your patients and their families really well. We see the same people often, so building trust is a big part of what we do,' she said. Shannon’s role is all about making healthcare easier to access, especially for people in rural areas who may have to travel long distances to see specialists. 🙌 'Some patients have never been to Brisbane before, so we help book flights, organise transport and make sure they feel supported. Telehealth has been a game-changer, but sometimes people still need to go in person. We do everything we can to make that process smoother.' Her passion for rural healthcare started early, leading her through various hospitals before returning to a close-knit community. 'I love the teamwork in rural hospitals. You have to be resourceful, and everyone pitches in to make sure patients get the best care.' She’s now focused on becoming a nurse practitioner to continue closing the gap in rural healthcare access. 'I’d love to see more nurse navigators in rural areas. We make a real difference in keeping people connected to the care they need.' Thank you for your dedication to rural healthcare and your patients, Shannon! ❤️ Want to help make a difference in rural communities like Shannon? Explore rural generalist opportunities with Queensland Health at 👉https://bit.ly/40CKDls Via: Mackay Hospital and Health Service #HealthHero

Meet Shane — he's a wardsperson (wardie) at the Princess Alexandra Hospital. 👋 For the last 26 years, Shane has safely transported over 150,000 patients to and from the radiology department for scans, working alongside radiographers, doctors, and nurses to support patients in every way he can. 🥰 For him, his role is not just about transportation — it’s about connecting. He loves hearing his patients’ life stories, especially those from older patients with memories of times gone by. 'I love having a yarn with the patients while I take them to their scans, and not to find out their history through their illnesses but through their life story.'   When he’s not at work, Shane enjoys winding down with his wife on motorbike rides on his beloved Harley Davidson, embracing the fresh air and peace of nature.   Wardies like Shane are some of the quieter heroes of healthcare, working behind the scenes and supporting frontline staff to provide patient care. Thank you, Shane, for your hard work —and a big thank you to every wardsperson for your dedication to patient safety! 😊 Feel inspired by Shane's story? Join our team and help make a difference. Explore opportunities to become part of Queensland Health at https://lnkd.in/gYkAWVtX

Dream of a short commute to work? Well Shauna just might have the shortest in all of Queensland! 🚶♀️ As a new graduate nurse at Mornington Island Hospital, she lives a speedy 30 seconds from work. And that's not the only benefit of working on Mornington Island! There's also the tight-knit community, the beautiful surrounds and the opportunity to gain experience in a wide variety of nursing areas. 🌟 Shauna is one of 24 new graduate nurses who joined the team at @North West Health and Hospital Service late last year. The 12-month graduate program allows new nurses to learn on the job and transition from academic learning into professional practice. Experienced staff come alongside the new grads to provide support and mentorship. Thank you for serving the wonderful Mornington Island community, Shauna! ❤️

Meet Sean—a Clinical Nurse Consultant, making a huge impact by supporting some of our most vulnerable patients. 🚨 Working alongside the Queensland Ambulance Service, Sean and his team are at the heart of preventing and resolving mental health crises, reaching out to around 200 patients every month. They provide specialised mental health knowledge, rapid assessment and intervention, making sure all patients have timely access to care and support. For Sean, it's not just about providing treatment, it’s about listening. 🥰 'I take the time to slow things down, stay engaged, and give people my full attention.' In his eyes, every patient is more than a case. The goal isn’t just to ease pressure on our emergency departments; it’s to make sure that people can remain safe and supported in the comfort of their own homes instead of being removed. Thank you, Sean, for being there to listen and support those who are vulnerable. We are so lucky to have someone as kind and caring as you be part of the team. ❤️ Want to help make a difference like Sean? With over 300 diverse career paths, explore opportunities to become part of Queensland Health team at https://lnkd.in/gYkAWVtX Via: @Metro North Health

Bundaberg Hospital’s has celebrated their first water birth. 💙 Acting Midwifery Unit Manager Bettina Aikenhead said the birth was a proud moment for the team, especially for the postgraduate midwife who led the delivery. 👏 'It was amazing to see one of our postgraduate midwives, trained in water birth, supporting a mum through this experience. Hands-on training like this is so valuable and will set us up for success in the new Bundaberg Hospital,' Bettina said. The inflatable birth pool is helping midwives develop their skills ahead of the move to the new Bundaberg Hospital, which will feature two birthing rooms with permanent baths. 🏥 'Water immersion during labour offers incredible benefits, including pain relief and relaxation. Many mums have told us they want this option, and we’re proud to provide it,' said Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service Chief Executive Debbie Carroll. Right now, water births are available at Bundaberg Hospital when specially trained midwives are on shift, but the team is working to expand access as more staff complete their training. 'Our midwives are passionate about providing personalised, supportive care. Expanding water birth options is just one of the ways we’re responding to what families want,' Bettina said. A huge shoutout to the incredible midwives leading the way in maternity care at Bundaberg Hospital! 👏 Via: @Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service #HealthHero

Our Virtual Emergency Care Service (VECS) team increased their availability during ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred to provide virtual care to Queenslanders from the safety of their own homes. 📱 Without being asked, the team of doctors, nurses and admin staff volunteered to extend the service's opening hours to operate 24/7 during the weather event. 🤗 VECS is an online service providing access to unplanned and emergency care. It's available for anyone in Queensland with conditions that need immediate attention but aren't life-threatening. Jen, a clinical nurse at both VECS and the Princess Alexandra Hospital (PAH), is one of the dedicated staff who stepped up to help during last weekend. 🙌 'The whole team, from nurses, doctors and admin, went above and beyond during the crisis. Everyone took on extra hours. We reshuffled rosters and swapped shifts, and everyone adapted their personal and work lives to meet the demands,' she said. 'On a normal day, we receive anywhere from 90 to 120 calls. During TC and ex-TC Alfred, we received more than double that volume each day.' The most common conditions the team assessed were skin conditions, abdominal pain, injuries, respiratory illnesses, infections, and paediatric presentations. Most of the VECS clinicians worked from home doing double shifts during the cyclone. Some even provided virtual emergency care while dealing with gale-force winds, rain and power outages themselves. 🌀 Now the worst is over, VECS is back to the normal operating hours of 8am to 10pm from today (Saturday 15 March). We want to say a big thank you to Jen and the VECS team for the tireless work they do to keep our community safe and healthy. We appreciate you all! ❤️ VECS is a Queensland-wide service and is free for Medicare card holders. To access the VECS's specialist emergency care services, by telephone or video conferencing, visit: https://lnkd.in/giCPa2qR If you're not sure what health service you need, access the Health Direct Symptom checker link: https://lnkd.in/gTZmZPw In a serious medical emergency, you should always call Triple Zero (000). 🚨

Meet Amarni—a registered nurse at Logan Hospital's children's ward. ✨ Each day, Amarni provides compassionate care to children of all ages, helping them through some of their toughest times. She works closely with a team of doctors, specialists and support staff, ensuring each patient receives the best possible care and that all aspects of their health are carefully managed. A big part of her role involves administering medications — something that requires precision and attention to detail, as they’re required at all hours throughout her shift. From the smallest hand to the biggest heart; every moment counts. 🥰 Thank you Amarni for all you do! Metro South Health