October - December 2020
Stay safe at Christmas and avoid a holiday trip to the emergency department
Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service is urging people to have a fun and festive Christmas break, but to avoid a trip to one of its emergency departments by keeping safety at the forefront of their minds.
Get the right festive feeling this season
The gut-wrenching pain of a bout of food poisoning is not the festive feeling that you want your family and friends to experience this Christmas holidays.
Public health physician has best possible end to exhausting year
To say 2020 has been big for Dr Niall Conroy is probably one of the great understatements of the year.
Research to examine tobacco and nicotine impacts during pregnancy
A SENIOR Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service nurse and research director has received $300,000 to investigate tobacco and nicotine exposure patterns in pregnant Australian First Nations women, with a view to improving health outcomes.
Values shine as Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service presents Excellence Awards
Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service celebrated the achievements of its staff and volunteers at its third annual Excellence Awards yesterday, with the diversity of winners showcasing outstanding quality of care and commitment throughout the past year.
Local residents urged to help shape new hospital in Bundaberg
Residents from the Bundaberg, North Burnett, Fraser Coast and Discovery Coast areas have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to help shape planning for a new hospital in Bundaberg, with public consultation starting today (Monday 30 November).
Public health team warn Fraser Coast residents to be careful as smoke increases
The expectation of strong winds on Thursday and Friday spreading more bushfire smoke from Fraser Island through Hervey Bay and other communities has led to a warning for people along the Fraser Coast, especially those vulnerable to such conditions, to take extra precautions.
Lions Club donation gives patients safer and easier access to showering
Patients at Maryborough Hospital have easier and safer access to shower facilities thanks to a generous donation by the Lions Club of Maryborough. The hospital received a new Electra bariatric hygiene shower chair thanks to the Lions Club of Maryborough fundraising $10,000 through their numerous activities across the town.
Successful prosecution finds business owner guilty of displaying bongs for sale
In the Bundaberg Magistrate’s Court, a local business owner has been found guilty of displaying and selling bongs and components of bongs for sale, following a successful prosecution by the Wide Bay Public Health Unit.
Simple actions can make a big difference to everyone’s food safety
Each year in Australia there are at least 4.1 million cases of gastroenteritis as a result of eating contaminated food. During Australian Food Safety Week (November 14–21, 2020), Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service Director of Public Health Dr Niall Conroy would like to remind the community of the importance of reporting and testing to confirm food-borne illness.
Junior doctor: Regional medicine offers work and life experience like no other
DR MARC Burton came to Bundaberg in his third year of medical school – and liked it so much he hasn’t left. Now aged 30 and a soon to be a Principal House Officer in Mental Health as part of his residency rotations, the Canberra-born doctor reckons each passing year reinforces the good decision he made to live and work in Bundaberg.
Uni partnership to train "homegrown" doctors in regional QLD
An Australian-first university and hospital partnership is set to train up to 40 doctors in regional Queensland each year. Bundaberg and Rockhampton will receive their first student intake in 2022 under the new Regional Medical Pathway – to be today between CQUniversity, The University of Queensland, and the Central Queensland and Wide Bay Hospital and Health Services.
World-class cancer treatment machine at GenesisCare Bundaberg to benefit public patients
Local cancer patients in the Wide Bay region will soon have increased access to cutting-edge radiation therapy treatments and techniques, thanks to the arrival of a world-class radiation therapy treatment machine at GenesisCare Bundaberg.
Training pathway helps rural patients access expanded allied health services
The North Burnett community is reaping the benefits of a WBHHS program that is supporting allied health professionals to pursue a career locally and expand the availability of services as a result.
October 6 COVID-19 testing data for Wide Bay
Up until 6 October, 29,469 COVID-19 tests have been taken at public and private testing sites across Wide Bay. In the week from September 30 – October 6, some 652 COVID-19 tests took place across Wide Bay, including 413 at our three WBHHS fever clinics at Bundaberg, Hervey Bay and Maryborough.
Focus on fun and wellness as we all join together to take time for mental health
Whether it’s a bit of art and craft or hitting the water for a paddle, community members are being encouraged to join in Mental Health Week activities across Wide Bay and to “take time for mental health”.
WBHHS brings aboard renowned chef to head up kitchen at Bundaberg Hospital
A chef who has worked in top-end restaurants in London, learnt his craft in rural Japan and headed up the kitchen at the Gold Coast’s Palazzo Versace might not be who most people would expect in a major hospital kitchen.
New nurse navigators bring a cultural and collaborative approach to care - Bundaberg
Complications from diabetes left Moore Park’s Gary Cameron with an infected wound on his foot, regular visits to the wound clinic every couple of days and facing the possibility of having his leg amputated below the knee.
New nurse navigators bring a cultural and collaborative approach to care - Fraser Coast
Complications following surgery in a Brisbane hospital led to Eli Waters man Paul Scully spending a stint in intensive care, experiencing delirium and with a long recovery journey ahead of him.
Construction set to commence on new mental health inpatient unit in Hervey Bay
Construction on a new acute mental health inpatient unit at Hervey Bay Hospital is set to start this week, marking the beginning of $39.6 million worth of investment to more than double mental health bed capacity on the Fraser Coast.
Clinicians get behind ending stigma and more testing on World Aids Day
ON World AIDS Day today, Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service clinicians are urging people to end the stigma around HIV, as part of a national effort to end discrimination and increase testing rates.
Caution urged as smoky conditions worsen on the Fraser Coast today
The Fraser Coast is once again experiencing a large amount of smoke from the Fraser Island bushfires today and the Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service is urging people to look after their health in these conditions.
Wide Bay residents urged to stay sun safe and hydrated throughout summer
The Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service is urging people to ensure they stay properly hydrated and sun safe whether they are enjoying the beach, boat, bush or backyard this summer.
