Access keys | Skip to primary navigation | Skip to secondary navigation | Skip to content | Skip to footer |
Problems viewing this site

Queensland Health

Logged In: Guest | Username: Password: |

Celebrating 15 years of children's ward

19 November 2008

Staff in Logan Hospital's paediatric ward celebrated the unit's 15th birthday in July with an afternoon tea and birthday cake.

Nurse Unit Manager Marian Rigney said staff were keen to celebrate the milestone, particularly as some of the original staff still worked in the unit.

Dr Ron James, Dr Peter De Buse, Bev Spiller and Di Hensler were among the original staff who transferred to the ward when it opened with four dedicated beds on 11 July 1993.

Dr De Buse, the first Director of Paediatrics, said that although it was a small unit he was happy to transfer from the Mater Children’s Hospital to be part of the Logan unit and is still on the medical staff 15 years later, as is the first paediatrician at Logan Hospital, Dr Ron James.

A nurse for more than 30 years, Bev Spiller has fond memories of those first couple of years when the unit was merely a few beds.

“Even though we were a small unit, it was very busy and well supported by the local community,” she said.

Over the next 15 years the unit increased in size and is now 20 beds with isolation rooms, a playroom and outdoor play area specifically designed to cater for children.

It is estimated that approximately 20,000 children have been treated as in-patients in the paediatric ward during these years.

Director of Paediatrics, Dr Jan Cullen said “the demand for children’s health services at Logan Hospital is expected to continue.

“Some of the most common reasons for hospitalisation of children are respiratory infections, gastroenteritis, fractures and other childhood illnesses.

“In addition, more than 15,000 children were seen through our Emergency Department in the last 12 months”, she said.

With 27 percent of the population of Logan under 14 years and a further 36 percent aged 15 to 34 years it is not surprising to see an increasing demand for children’s health services throughout the district.

Adding to this is the fact that 3503 babies were born at Logan Hospital last year, one of the busiest maternity units in Queensland.