Metro North Health

"Christmas is a lovely time of year to be working, especially out here at Kilcoy where you can build a really good rapport with your patients. I normally see around ten patients a day sometimes on the wards and sometimes in outpatients. We get a lot of people who are awaiting rehab and are in for a long time, so I try and keep them happy and entertained, especially over Christmas." #StaffMondayMantra ☁️ Jean, Physiotherapist, Kilcoy Hospital.

Kilcoy patients in hospital this Christmas will be treated to Chef Jeaninne's special roast, as she gets busy preparing for the big day. Whether it's a cherished family recipe, secret seasonings, or a long-standing tradition, the Christmas roast takes centre stage in countless households - and will do so at Kilcoy Hospital too, as part of its festive feast. 🌟 "There's something incredibly special about providing a meal to patients in the hospital at Christmas. It's not just about nourishing the body but also lifting spirits during a time when patients are away from their loved ones," Jeaninne said. "Being able to serve a festive meal, filled with care and warmth, is my way of sharing a little bit of Christmas joy and comfort with those who need it most." The Christmas lunch will be served with all the festive touches like bon bons, candy canes, and Christmas napkins. 🎄

Kellie and Mel from TPCH Paediatric Emergency Department will be working hard this Christmas day to keep little ones safe! 🚑✨ "The lead-up to Christmas and the big day itself are busy times for us, with lots of injuries coming through our doors," Kellie said. Here are their top safety tips to help you and your kids have a fun and injury-free silly season. 🥙 Chew your food - Choking incidents are more common than you think during Christmas meals. 🛴 Wear a helmet - Whether on a scooter or bike, helmets are a must for all ages. ☀️ Slip, Slop, Slap, Seek, Slide - Don’t forget the sunscreen, especially in the QLD summer heat! Sunburn and heatstroke are common reasons for ED visits. 🌊 No running around pools - Kids love to dive, but water activities should always be safe and slow. Encourage fun in the pool, without the risks. #ShoutoutSaturday to Kellie and Mel and all the staff working on Christmas Day.

Need care over the Christmas break? We have a range of services here to care for you, including our Minor Injury and Illness Clinics, which will be open on Christmas Day! 🎄 Whether it’s a sprain from a skateboard stack or a minor burn from the Christmas cooking, our expert clinicians like Nurse Unit Manager Emma are ready to help. "We're open every day, including public holidays, and we're here and ready to take care of you," Emma said. You can also access our Virtual Emergency Care Service and hospital Emergency Departments which will be open every day, including Christmas Day, as well as our Nurse Led Walk-In Clinic which will be open over the break excluding public holidays. And a reminder - you can call 13HEALTH for advice on which care option is right for you. 🤩

Our RBWH medical imaging service provides imaging for emergency, acute inpatient and outpatient services and performs over 200,000 examinations each year. Tim, Damon and Ashleigh work in the department and are part of a team that provide 24/7 medical imaging services to the hospital. "We get to work with patients from basically all areas of the hospital with such a varied case mix. I love that our work is highly specialised," Tim said. RBWH is looking for its registered nurse superstar to join the medical imaging team. If this sounds like you, apply here: https://lnkd.in/gGUGDFZf #WorkforusWednesday

Tomorrow is a special day for twins Cooper and Bradman, who turn 18 on the 18th, after being born at just 24 weeks. The boys recently returned to the RBWH NICU where they spent their first few months of life to say hello to some familiar faces who cared for them. Babies born at 24 weeks face significant challenges, but advancements in neonatal units mean more babies born early are getting greater care and doing well. For this duo, they have gone on to do incredible things, with both set to study at university next year where they are considering economics degrees paired with computer science and commerce respectively. For Cooper, seeing a 24-week-old baby on his recent visit was eye-opening. "To see this in person, it puts it into perspective to see just how small and fragile we were and shows how far we have come," he said. 🤗

Volunteer Robert is helping spread Christmas cheer on the wards at Redcliffe Hospital, bringing festive spirit to those in need during the holiday season. "My role involves visiting patients on the wards with books and magazines, but it's really about offering a friendly face and someone to chat with," Robert said. "For those patients who may be in the hospital for a while, I love becoming a familiar face. It’s about building trust and forming a relationship. During Christmas, it’s even more special."

Step into Santa’s workshop—aka the Prince Charles Hospital where our maintenance team are making magic! ✨ From repairing air-conditioners and building custom drawers to maintaining 83 acres of land, this team does it all. They are the hardworking elves keeping TPCH running smoothly for patients and staff every day. Building and Engineering Maintenance Services manager Peter looks after the 48 tradies at TPCH. “Our team works hard behind the scenes to ensure everything at TPCH runs seamlessly, especially during busy times like Christmas. We want to make sure we create a safe, comfortable environment for patients and staff alike,” he said.

Christmas is in full swing at Gannet House, and there’s no shortage of festive fun! "Our residents truly look forward to this time of year," Recreation Officer Julie said. "It’s heartwarming to see everyone come together for events like our annual Christmas bake-off, resident/family Christmas party and the Christmas lights tour." For many of the residents, these activities are a wonderful way to celebrate the season and bring back fond memories of past holidays. "My family and I used to all climb into the same bed on Christmas Eve and we'd tell stories and stay up until midnight when we would go to midnight mass," Fran said. "The staff make it all so inviting and lively, I really love this time of year."

Santa Paws is coming to town and the first stop is Kylie and her resident friends at Cooinda House. 🎄🐾 The presence of pets in aged care settings offers numerous benefits, enhancing the wellbeing of residents in profound ways. “Research shows that interaction with animals can reduce feelings of loneliness, lower stress levels, and even improve cognitive function,” says Nursing Director Belinda. "There's something about the gentle companionship and wagging tail of a dog that instantly brightens the day and lifts spirits," she added. For many of the residents like Kylie, Luna the spaniel provides not just companionship, but a reminder of the simple joys that connect us all.