Metro South Health

Logan Hospital

NIGEL NAMED MIDWIFE OF THE YEAR p.6

SCHOOL BASED TRAINEES CELEBRATE GRADUATION p.9

MUTLEY LIGHTS UP LIVES OF REHAB UNIT PATIENTS p.11

WHAT ’SNEWSISSU

E 01

WHAT’S NEWS 2

03 $11.4 MILLION FUNDING BOOST

04 POSITIVE MENTAL HEALTH

06 MIDWIFE OF THE YEAR

08 SCHOOL BASED TRAINEES

09 STAFF REUNITE BOY AND HIS DOG

11 MUTLEY LIGHTS UP REHAB UNIT

12 CHILD DENTAL HEALTH

MAIN FEATURES

LOGAN HOSPITAL’S WOMEN’S AND CHILDREN’S SERVICES OFFICIALLY OPENED ITS NEW YARNING CIRCLE WITH A TRADITIONAL SMOKING CEREMONY IN AUGUST.

Aunty Robyn Williams welcomed staff and guests to the opening of the garden, established for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families of women birthing at Logan Hospital.

Acting Nursing Director Women’s and Children’s Services Lisa Maher said the Yarning Circle was developed to provide a welcoming and culturally safe environment for families to gather while visiting or awaiting the birth of a baby.

She said the Jarjum Day Mums and their children, including Sianna and Albert Roelofs (pictured) had played an integral role in the establishment of the garden with totem pole paintings depicting traditional Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander aspects of life.

“A big thank you also must go to Bill Knox for all his work in creating this important and welcoming place.”

YARNING CIRCLE OPENS FOR FAMILIES

QUOTA PUTS PATIENTS FIRSTPATIENTS ATTENDING LOGAN HOSPITAL’S ADULTS AND CHILDREN’S EMERGENCY DEPARTMENTS WILL RECEIVE SOME COMFORTS OF HOME THANKS TO THE GENEROSITY OF QUOTA INTERNATIONAL JIMBOOMBA.

Janet Hughes said members of the local Quota branch had hand sewn 80 bags to donate, filled with personal items that patients missed having while staying in hospital.

“We have also included books and colouring in things for the children,” she said.

LBHN Director Nursing and Midwifery Lorraine Stevenson said donations like these meant the world to patients who often arrived in the ED with no personal possessions.

Pictured: (from left) Logan Hospital Emergency Department nurses Muireann Wynne and Louise Daly, Director of Nursing and Midwifery Lorraine Stevenson with Christine Edwards, Janet Hughes and Fay Reilly from Quota International Jimboomba.

COVER STORY: PAGE 6

PHOTO COURTESY: NEWS CORP

WHAT’S NEWS 3

$11.4 MILLION FUNDING BOOST FOR LOGAN HOSPITAL EDTHE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT AT LOGAN HOSPITAL, ONE OF THE STATE’S BUSIEST, HAS RECEIVED AN $11.4 MILLION FUNDING BOOST TO HELP PROVIDE EXTRA BEDS AND MORE STAFF TO COPE WITH THE POPULATION GROWTH IN LOGAN.

Member for Woodridge and Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Cameron Dick said the cash injection provided an extra 11 beds, two in the paediatric unit and nine in the adult section.

“Logan City is one of the fastest growing parts of Queensland, and there has been a 15 per cent surge in presentations to the Hospital’s emergency department this financial year,” he said.

“This is why we are increasing the ED’s capacity by bringing in 41 new staff and opening a further 11 beds – two in the children’s unit and nine in the adult section.”

“We are also implementing several new initiatives that will ease the pressure in the ED and enable patients to be seen sooner.”

Mr Dick said the extra funding would increase the nurse to patient ratio in the paediatric unit from 1:4 to 1:3.

There will also be a physiotherapist in the adult acute and short stay areas, while a team dedicated to identifying and transferring patients from acute beds to wards will also be established, helping to free up capacity in the Emergency Department.

Metro South Health Board Chair Terry White welcomed the funding, which he said would enable the Emergency Department to better meet the needs of the local community.

“Increasing resources into our paediatric and adult emergency departments will ensure we can better manage the growth in the number of patients,” he said.

“These initiatives will improve the flow of patients through Logan Hospital and improve the ED experience for patients and staff.”

IT’S WAS AN EXCITING TIME AT LOGAN HOSPITAL IN JUNE WITH THE BIRTH OF ITS SECOND SET OF TRIPLETS EVER!

Beautiful little William, Jordan and Alina Cheng arrived safe and sound via caesarean at 35 weeks on June 15 at 9.46am, 9.47am and 9.49am.

While William may have been born first at 1915g, it was younger brother by one minute Jordan who weighed the most at 2000g. Alina weighed in at 1860g.

Proud mum and dad CaLor and KaNhia said they knew they were having two boys and a girl. They said their babies were naturally conceived and would be heading home to Logan Central after around three to five weeks in the Special Care Nursery.

LOGAN HOSPITAL WELCOMES SECOND SET OF TRIPLETS EVER!

Logan Hospital Special Care Nursery midwives said it was exciting to have triplets to care for and that they were feeding and doing very well.

Mum and dad enjoyed a cuddle with their three little bundles of joy all at once on June 17, the first time since they were born. Congratulations!

WHAT’S NEWS 4

YOUTH CONNECT WITH POSITIVE MENTAL HEALTHLOGAN YOUTH WILL AGAIN HAVE THE CHANCE TO SHOW OFF THEIR CREATIVE TALENTS AND HELP RAISE AWARENESS OF

ADDICTION AND MENTAL HEALTH CONCERNS AT THE POSITIVE MINDSET CREATIVE ARTS FESTIVAL

2016.

Minister for Health and Ambulance Services and Member for Woodridge Cameron Dick said this year’s take-home message from the festival was all about the three Cs - creativity, connection and having a chat.

“Many challenges face our youth, and finding a creative outlet can often have a

positive impact on their lives,” he said.

“Good community connections – often through a shared experience such as playing music – can

reduce the likelihood of isolation and engaging in risk-taking behaviour.

“Encouraging youth to check in on their friends and chat is a simple action, but it may lead to a young person who needs help for mental health ill-health or drug misuse seeking that help,” he said.

Now in its second year, the Positive Mindset Creative Arts Festival 2016 is bigger and better than ever, expanding to include dance and media categories.

Mr Dick said it was important to address the stigma associated with mental illness.

“The festival provides an opportunity to learn more about how to achieve and maintain good mental health and reduce the stigma surrounding mental illness.

ROTARY CELEBRATES ITS BIRTHDAY WITH NEWBORN BABIESROTARY CLUB OF LOGAN HAS CELEBRATED ITS 111TH BIRTHDAY BY GIVING BOOKS TO NEWBORN BABIES AT LOGAN HOSPITAL.

President Bob Devere, Past President David Ekert and Dr Mukhtar Sidhu visited the maternity unit in February in the spirit of encouraging youth literacy.

Mr Ekert said it was a significant day for Rotary and that it was wonderful the Club could share it with the Hospital’s beautiful newborn babies.

“We thought this was a nice way of acknowledging them,” he said.

Mr Ekert said the Rotary Club of Logan donated children’s books every year to Logan Hospital purchased with money raised through local club activities.

“As a club our focus is on youth literacy and we thought why not start them young?”

Logan Hospital Nursing and Midwifery Director Women’s and Children’s Mellissa Knox said it was a pleasure to welcome the Rotary Club of Logan to the Hospital and to accept their generous gifts on behalf of the new families of Logan birthing at their local hospital.

“We very much appreciate the generosity of the Rotary Club of Logan and we know it means a lot to our new mums and dads to be thought of by members of the local community.”

metrosouth.health.qld.gov.au/arts-festival

WHAT’S NEWS 5

THE HOPE CENTRE IS CONTINUING ON ITS MISSION TO GIVE WITH THE DONATION OF HUNDREDS OF GOODIE BAGS FOR NEW MUMS AT LOGAN HOSPITAL.

Wendy Ive from the Hope Centre said the bags were the result of the 2015 women’s group project which chose a deserving recipient every year.

The bags, containing products and clothing for new bubs, will be given as gifts to mums staying in the maternity unit at Logan Hospital.

The Hope Centre is located at Slacks Creek. For more information phone 3412 6400.

CENTRE GIVES HOPE TO NEW MUMS WITH LITTLE BAG OF LOVE

MANY PEOPLE BELIEVE THEY WERE BORN TO FOLLOW A CERTAIN CAREER PATH BUT TWO NEW LOGAN HOSPITAL NURSES WILL BEGIN THEIR CAREERS WHERE THEY WERE BORN.

Emily Edwards and Zoe Bentley arrived into the world at Logan Hospital in 1995. In March they officially started work as graduate nurses, just two of 83 new nurses and midwives recruited to Logan and Beaudesert Hospitals for 2016.

Zoe, from Meadowbrook, said she was looking forward to starting in Logan Hospital’s Emergency Department (ED), following firmly in the footsteps of her aunt, who previously worked as a nurse in the ED.

“My other aunt is a paramedic and I’ve always wanted to care for others,” Zoe said.

Emily, from Mt Warren Park, said she had always wanted to be a nurse and had decided ward nursing was the best place to start and began work in one of the Hospital’s medical wards.

Both graduates said they had chosen Logan Hospital because of its expected future growth but admitted they didn’t quite know what to expect during their first few days on the job.

“It’s sink or swim,” they laughed.

Logan Hospital Nurse Educator Helen Maney said Emily and Zoe would be well supported as members of a cohort of 105 new nurses and midwives selected to begin work at Logan, Beaudesert and Redland hospitals this year.

She said graduates knew Logan Bayside facilities offered good clinical placements with a supportive and growing environment, and this was reflected in the Hospitals being preferenced by 630 graduates.

Logan Bayside Health Network Director of Nursing and Midwifery Lorraine Stevenson said she was proud of the new graduate program and each and every nurse and midwife who provided a nurturing environment for the Health Service’s newest clinicians.

“We have amazing nurses and midwives, excellent clinical services and a strong patient focussed multidisciplinary team ethos,” Ms Stevenson said.

“This is why we continue to see more and more applicants choose us as their number one preference for beginning their career.”

BABIES BORN AT LOGAN HOSPITAL BEGIN CAREERS AS NURSES

WHAT’S NEWS 6

NIGEL NAMED MIDWIFE OF THE YEAR

LOGAN HOSPITAL MIDWIFE NIGEL DUNCAN HAS BEEN NAMED JOHNSON AND JOHNSON’S QUEENSLAND MIDWIFE OF THE YEAR.

Nigel was presented his award in May on International Day of the Midwife. It was the first time a male midwife has won the award.

The winner is selected by the Australian College of Midwives and given annually to a Queensland midwife who provides extraordinary care and support during pregnancy, birthing or the first few weeks of a baby’s life.

State winners are also commended as finalists for the national Midwife of the Year Award.

Nigel was nominated by Heritage Park mother Kimberlee Rankin who had her baby girl Arabella McIntosh at Logan Hospital 17 months ago.

Kimberlee said as a first time mum she did not know what to expect and that her first two trips to hospital were false alarms.

She said she had the pleasure of meeting Nigel who was an amazing asset to Logan Hospital. He is so confident and knowledgeable in his field,” she said.

Kimberlee said although Nigel wasn’t present at the birth of her daughter Arabella, he made the effort to visit her during his next shift to check on them both and meet her new baby.

Nigel said he was humbled by the nomination. He said he enjoyed passionately what he did and that it was always a privilege to watch a baby be born.

He said he did not deserve the award above anybody else because every midwife he had ever worked with had a passion for what they did and gave everything they could.

“It’s great that we have a day to celebrate but we celebrate every day; every time a baby is born, every time we look after a woman, every time we look after a man, every time we look after a baby about to be born,” Nigel said.

Congratulations Nigel.

PATIENT COMPLIMENTS“I was admitted to Emergency with a numb left arm and my potassium was very high. I was also very dizzy and short of breath and developed pains in my chest.

I was told I had a mild heart attack.

I wish to thank all the doctors and nurses for their excellent care while I was in hospital.”

~ LOGAN HOSPITAL PATIENT

“Dr DeNetto treated my Dad when he presented to Emergency.

This doctor was extremely thorough and explained everything in detail of what was happening and why. His professionalism and care for his patients was impeccable. We were made to feel that there was nobody else in the Emergency Department but my Dad.

A big thank you to Dr DeNetto for a job well done. He is a credit to this hospital.”

~ FAMILY MEMBER OF LOGAN HOSPITAL PATIENT

“I recently had a week’s stay in the Logan Hospital and would like to give some positive feedback. I was very impressed with how caring and professional both doctors and nurses were during my stay.

They exhausted every avenue to diagnose my condition and had my best interests at heart at all times.

Nobody likes a stay in hospital, however they made it as comfortable as they could. Thank you and keep up the good work.”

~ LOGAN HOSPITAL PATIENT

Pictured: (from left) Nurse Unit Manager Birth Suites Lisa Maher , Director Nursing and Midwifery Services Logan Hospital Lorraine Stevenson, Nursing Director Women’s and Children’s Services Mellissa Knox, Nigel Duncan, Kimberlee Rankin and Arabella McIntosh.

WHAT’S NEWS 7

NEW PELVIC HEALTH CLINIC IMPROVES PATIENT OUTCOMESAN EXCITING AND INNOVATIVE NEW CLINIC HAS COMMENCED THIS YEAR AT LOGAN HOSPITAL PROVIDING BETTER OUTCOMES FOR ITS PATIENTS.

Executive Director Allied Health Gail Gordon said the Pelvic Health Clinic (PHC) was a physiotherapy led primary contact clinic, offering improved patient satisfaction and outcomes by allowing earlier commencement to physiotherapy intervention.

She said patients referred to see a specialist in the areas of gynaecology, general surgery (colorectal) and urology could be assessed by a physiotherapist with advanced skills in continence and pelvic health, and learn strategies to assist in managing their condition, whilst awaiting their specialist appointment.

“The PHC at Logan Hospital is the pioneering site, and the clinician who developed the model of care, advanced physiotherapist Kathryn Potter, has already begun providing support to other sites across Queensland to assist them in getting their own PHC’s started,” Ms Gordon said.

She said the PHC at Logan Hospital had recently received funding to allow four full time senior and advanced physiotherapists to begin work.

“The clinicians currently working within the PHC are looking forward to growing the service and continuing to work with the specialist team across Metro South to facilitate an improved patient journey.”

The clinic is one of several initiatives being funded across Logan Beaudesert by the Department of Health to help reduce long specialist outpatient waiting lists.

SWEDISH MIDWIFERY PROFESSORS VISIT LOGAN HOSPITAL

TWO SWEDISH MIDWIFERY ACADEMICS HAVE VISITED LOGAN HOSPITAL AND ITS MIDWIFERY DIRECTORS IN AN EFFORT TO OBSERVE THE BMID PROGRAM PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN GRIFFITH UNIVERSITY AND LOGAN HOSPITAL AT WORK.

LBHN Director of Nursing and Midwifery Services Lorraine Stevenson, Nursing Director Women’s and Children’s Services Mellissa Knox, Midwifery Educator Jodi Bunn and Clinical Midwife Amanda Spiers said the visit by Professors Ingegerd Hildingsson and Dr Christine Rubertsson from Mid Sweden University and Uppsala University was a wonderful learning tool for everyone involved.

“It was interesting to find out that despite being on opposite sides of the world we are extremely similar in how we provide birthing, ante natal and post natal services,” Ms Stevenson said.

“We face many of the same challenges.”

Ms Stevenson said she was proud to share Logan Hospital’s culture of education and its commitment to developing learning contracts between students, Griffith University and Logan Hospital.

“We have the capability to support students to have a great learning experience,” Ms Stevenson said.

WHILE BIRTHDAYS ARE JUST ANOTHER DAY IN THE YEAR FOR MANY OF US, FOR LOGAN’S JOSHUA LANG IT’S A CELEBRATION OF HOW FAR HE HAS COME SINCE CLINGING TO LIFE AS A PRE-TERM BABY AT LOGAN HOSPITAL IN 1995.

Born at just 27.5 weeks gestation and weighing 1420 grams on 22 July 1995, Joshua was one of the first pre-term baby to be treated by the amazing team of doctors and nurses in the Hospital’s new Special Care Nursery.

The SCN first opened just days before Joshua entered the world and given just a 30 per cent chance of survival. He said he credited the nursery with saving his life.

He returned this year to celebrate his 21st birthday and to provide gifts and hope to parents whose babies were being cared for in the nursery.

While celebrating his own birthday there, Joshua met Mandy Groves whose baby Hudson was spending time in the SCN after his birth at 33 weeks gestation.

“I love coming back to the nursery and it’s nice to let the parents of these babies know that there is light at the end of the tunnel,” Joshua said.

JOSH CELEBRATES 21 YEARS AFTER SPECIAL CARE BIRTH

WHAT’S NEWS 8

LOGAN HOSPITAL’S FIRST SCHOOL BASED TRAINEES SINCE THE 1990s CELEBRATED THEIR GRADUATION AFTER 12 MONTHS GAINING CLINICAL EXPERIENCE AND THEIR CERTIFICATE III IN AGED CARE.

Health Minister and Member for Woodridge Cameron Dick congratulated Yean Te, T’nyshe Fa’agase, Ella Firth, Lydia Benea, Alex Berry, Kloe Schakow and Mikayla Holyoake and said their graduation marked the end of a successful and innovative program looking to future proof the region against an expected shortage of nurses in the years to come.

He said the Queensland Government was working hard to address the expected shortage, investing in Queensland’s graduate nurse programs and committing up to 1000 additional nurse graduates every year for four years.

Mr Dick said he was pleased to hear the second intake of school based trainees had begun work at Logan Hospital as well as Redland Hospital for the first time.

He said thanks to the support of Metro South Health and the Department of Education and Training, many more students now had the opportunity to pursue their own journey to a rewarding career in health.

“Indeed, the demand from students wanting to get on board

HOSPITAL’S SCHOOL BASED TRAINEES CELEBRATE GRADUATION

and participate is significantly outstripping the number of positions on offer.

“As the Health Minister, and as the son of a great nurse, it’s really wonderful to know that so many students are choosing a career in health and, in particular, in nursing.

“Nurses are vital to delivering high-quality health care and the interest you have all shown in nursing bodes well for

Queensland Health in terms of meeting future workforce needs,” Mr Dick said.

Assistant Director of Nursing and School Based Trainee Co-ordinator Karen Webster

said the seven students from schools throughout Logan City began the program in July last year after successfully being chosen from 130 students who applied for a position.

She said of the 130 students who applied, 32 were chosen to attend a

Health Inspiration Day from which 16 were interviewed and seven chosen to take part in

the program.

She said the students had not only gained their Certificate III in Aged Care but in doing so, had gained experience in a clinical setting, experienced working within a health care team, built relationships and friendships and developed people skills.

WHAT’S NEWS 9

LOGAN HOSPITAL STAFF REUNITE BOY AND HIS DOGWHO DOESN’T LOVE A GOOD REUNITE STORY? LOGAN HOSPITAL STAFF WERE VERY PLEASED TO SEE MARSHALL THE PAW PATROL DOG RETURNED TO HIS OWNER THREE-YEAR-OLD ALEX MADELAINE IN JUNE.

Young Alex and Marshall were separated during Alex’s stay in the paediatrics ward when Marshall headed off on an adventure of his own, trying to escape the Hospital via the linen bag.

A Logan Hospital spokesperson said staff saw a Facebook post from Alex’s mum Gina, explaining that Alex had returned home without Marshall and was now asking for him.

“So, the call went out late last night for staff to keep a lookout for Marshall, who was found by our wonderful Environmental Services team in the linen basket.

“Hospital stays can be tough at the best of times for little people, so everyone was committed to getting Marshall home.

“When Alex came to collect Marshall this morning, we sent him home with a little gift for he and his brother to share and hope this makes up for missing his little friend overnight.”

A SCHOOL BASED AT LOGAN HOSPITAL IS SUPPORTING VULNERABLE YOUNG PEOPLE WITH COMPLEX MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEMS BY ENSURING THEY CAN CONTINUE THEIR EDUCATION WHILE THEY RECOVER IN HOSPITAL.

Located in the Adolescent Mental Health Inpatient Unit, the Logan Hospital School first opened in 2001, teaching students from years seven to 12 requiring admission to the acute Adolescent Mental Health Inpatient Unit.

Logan Hospital School teacher Ranji Goundar said the facility was funded and supported by Marsden State High School and operated under Metro South Health’s Mental Health and Addiction Services.

Ms Goundar, a teacher at the school since 2009, said she was committed to creating a safe and caring environment for the students.

“All patients are welcomed into the school environment regardless of whether they are currently enrolled in school,” she said.

“It is a well-structured, safe and peaceful learning environment.

“The ward classroom is well resourced, existing as an external classroom of Marsden State High School, and flexibility is emphasized to incorporate a diverse range of students of varying ages, year levels, educational needs, socio-economic backgrounds, cultures and stages of mental health recovery.”

She said she believed every child had the right to an education and that the Logan Hospital School ensured adolescents with severe and complex mental health problems had that opportunity while undergoing hospital treatment.

Ms Goundar said research suggested around 75 per cent of mental health problems began in adolescence, between 15 – 25 years of age, and that one in four people experienced mental health concerns during their lifetime.

“My vision is to connect students back to their family, school and the community,” she said.

LOGAN HOSPITAL SCHOOL SUPPORTS SPECIAL STUDENTS

WHAT’S NEWS 10

LOGAN AND BEAUDESERT HOSPITALS’ VOLUNTEERS TOOK TIME OUT IN MAY TO CELEBRATE NATIONAL VOLUNTEER WEEK.

Consumer Liaison Officer Kathy King said the Hospital relied on and was extremely grateful for the dedication and commitment of all the volunteers who gave their time every week to assist the patients, families and visitors of Logan and Beaudesert hospitals.

She said volunteers were the lifeblood of the Hospital with 80 St John Ambulance volunteers, 38 in the Logan Auxiliary, 29 Chaplains, 15 from the Red Cross, 3 from Meal Times, 13 from Radio Lollipop, 2 in speech therapy, 4 Glen Quilters and 69 giving their time to Beaudesert Hospital.

“Our St John Ambulance volunteers have been at Logan Hospital for more than 20 years providing a variety of services including NannaCare, Friends in Emergency and Playtime Pals.”

LOGAN AND BEAUDESERT VOLUNTEERS CELEBRATE NATIONAL VOLUNTEER WEEK

MORE THAN 145 JUNIOR DOCTORS FROM LOGAN, REDLAND AND THE PRINCESS ALEXANDRA HOSPITALS TOOK PART IN THE AMA QUEENSLAND’S RESILIENCE ON THE RUN PROGRAM EARLIER THIS YEAR.

The new program in Queensland hospitals aims to help junior doctors deal with making daily life or death decisions, sleep deprivation and other workplace pressures.

AMA Queensland President Dr Chris Zappala said there was nothing quite like the demands of working in a busy hospital.

“Interns and junior doctors work long, erratic hours in high pressure environments and although they are dedicated, sometimes they need help dealing with the emotional challenges,” he said.

“We want them to have the skills to thrive and give their patients the best possible care.”

He said the program aimed to help interns build resilience, manage relationships and deal with difficult situations.

Logan Hospital Intern Dr Ben Cahill (pictured) said the Resilience on the Run program was extremely useful.

“It’s an important part of caring for yourself so you can care for your patients as well,” Dr Cahill said.

“Different aspects of the job but also being a young person in a new career as well — that stress and change in lifestyle does have a big impact on how you feel and how you can function.

MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAM ‘JUST WHAT THE DOCTOR ORDERED’

“It’s been a big change this year but it’s been very well supported and programs like this are really valuable because they certainly didn’t exist in the past,” he said.

Executive Director Medical Services at Metro South Health Dr Susan O’Dwyer said she was pleased to be working with AMA Queensland to offer Resilience on the Run in Metro South Health hospitals.

“The health and safety of doctors is just as important as patient care,” Dr O’Dwyer said.

“We recognise that our staff are our most valuable asset in caring for patients, so we are always keen to pursue opportunities to better support their physical and emotional wellbeing. We encourage all of our junior doctors to get involved,” she said.

Resilience on the Run was created by the AMA Queensland Council of Doctors in Training in response to a 2013 report into the mental health of medical professionals that showed doctors experienced higher rates of psychological distress, anxiety and burnout than the general population.

Pictured: Dr Ben Cahill.

WHAT’S NEWS 11

MUTLEY LIGHTS UP LIVES OF REHAB UNIT PATIENTSTHERE IS NOTHING QUITE LIKE THE UNCONDITIONAL LOVE OF A PET SO FOR PATIENTS IN LOGAN HOSPITAL’S REHABILITATION UNIT, MUTLEY THE THERAPY DOG HAS BECOME A HAPPY DISTRACTION FROM THE EVERYDAY STRESSES OF A LENGTHY HOSPITAL STAY.

Acting Nurse Unit Manager Veronica Venville said patients in the unit were often in hospital for long periods of time and had left their own pets at home while they received treatment.

“Having the visits from Mutley allows them to have a pat and a cuddle and just that interaction lifts the spirits of many patients who are missing their own dogs at home,” she said.

Mutley’s owner and Delta Therapy Dog Volunteer Naomi Andrew said she thoroughly enjoyed her visits to Logan Hospital and watching the faces of patients light up when they saw him arrive.

“We have been visiting children in the Mental Health Unit since July last year and began coming up to the Rehabilitation Unit this January,” Naomi said.

“I wanted to give something back to the local community; it can be stressful and lonely to be in hospital.

“Logan Hospital is Mutley’s first placement since he completed his Delta training and it has been so rewarding so far.”

Naomi said Mutley, a mini Foxy cross Chihuahua, had undergone temperament testing as part of his training to ensure

Pictured: (from left) David Walton, Mutley the Dog and Naomi Andrew.

he had “good manners” and would cope well around groups of people.

“We visit everyone in the Unit once a fortnight, have a chat about Mutley and the patients’ own pets at home.

“It’s so encouraging to see patients try and interact with him, to stretch out and touch him; they are so happy to see him and it brightens their day.”

Ms Venville said staff in the Rehabilitation Unit had also embraced Mutley and that they too very much looked forward to his fortnightly visits.

Rehabilitation Unit patient David Walton said he had been away from his own dog at home for six weeks while he received treatment and loved his visits with Mutley.

“I didn’t know hospitals did this,” the Tamborine Mountain resident said. “I look forward to his visits and to having a cuddle.”

The Delta Therapy Dogs program is the largest of its kind in Australia with more than 1000 volunteers across the country visiting hospitals, nursing homes and schools.

Anyone interested in becoming a Delta Therapy Dog volunteer can contact Margot Logan on 0466 244 408 or email brisbane@deltasociety.com.au

GRIFFITH UNIVERSITY STUDENTS LAUREN WHYATT AND AMELIA MACDADE HAVE BEEN AWARDED THE METRO SOUTH HEALTH MIDWIFERY UNDERGRADUATE RECOGNITION AND ENCOURAGEMENT AWARD (LOGAN HOSPITAL AND REDLAND HOSPITAL) AT AN ACADEMIC AWARDS PRESENTATION CEREMONY.

Nursing Director Women’s and Children’s Services Mellissa Knox said the award was a reflection of the partnership Logan Hospital and Redland Hospital had with Griffith University Logan Campus.

“This is the second year these awards have been sponsored for both Logan and Redland hospitals,” she said.

STUDENTS RECEIVE MIDWIFERY ENCOURAGEMENT AWARD

“The award recipients are nominated by the midwives working with them at each hospital and is presented to the first year midwifery student at both Hospital’s Women’s and Children’s Services who demonstrates the personal and professional attributes of a professional midwife.”

Pictured: (from left) Lauren Whyatt, Nursing Director Women’s and Children’s Services Mellissa Knox and Amelia Macdade.

WHAT’S NEWS 12

PROGRAM LIFTS LIP ON CHILD DENTAL HEALTHA CHILD ORAL HEALTH AND AWARENESS PREVENTION PROGRAM HAS BEEN LAUNCHED TO GIVE QUEENSLAND CHILDREN A HEALTHIER START BY REDUCING TOOTH DECAY THROUGH EARLY INTERVENTION.

Speaking at the launch of the Lift the Lip program at Browns Plains Community Centre, Queensland’s Chief Dental Officer Mark Brown said the program addressed levels of early childhood tooth decay in Queensland children which were among the worst in the country.

He said recent research showed that just over half (53 per cent) or around 340,000 of Queensland children aged five to 15 years had some tooth decay, and almost a quarter (23 per cent) had four or more teeth affected by decay.

“These figures are far too high, especially when tooth decay is preventable and dental care is free for all eligible children,” Dr Brown said.

He said tooth decay in young children was easy to identify as it usually started in the outer surfaces of the top front teeth.

Dr Brown said child health nurses would enhance their skills to recognise dental disease, refer appropriately to dental practitioners and be equipped with new resources to support families with preventive oral health advice.

“Screening for decay involves simply lifting the top lip and checking the outer surface of the top front teeth,” Dr Brown said.

“If we can identify tooth decay early, preventative measures can be taken to stop this decay progressing.

“This early intervention has the potential not only to save

our kids’ teeth, but also reduce the need for additional and sometimes costly and complex dental procedures.

“Tooth brushing, a healthy diet and regular dental check-ups are three simple ways to avoid problems.

“The establishment of good oral hygiene and dietary habits is essential to achieving and maintaining overall physical and emotional well-being throughout life.

“The Lift the Lip program is an excellent example of a collaborative initiative, which brings oral health and general health together to give our youngest Queenslanders a great start in life,” he said.

Lift the Lip is a partnership between Metro North and Metro South Oral Health Services and Child and Youth Community Health Service. It will be introduced progressively in metropolitan areas during 2016.

Pictured: (from left) State Member for Logan Linus Power, Kathryn Peters and one-year-old Isla Scoringe and Director Metro South Health Oral Health Service Dr Helen Boocock.

LOGAN HOSPITAL HAS WELCOMED THE CITY’S NEW MAYOR LUKE SMITH AND DIVISION 6 COUNCILLOR STACEY MCINTOSH.

Logan Bayside Health Network Executive Director Brett Bricknell said it was a pleasure to discuss issues affecting both Logan City and Logan Hospital with Mr Smith and Cr McIntosh including City of Choice, the role of Logan Hospital as an employer in the healthcare industry into the future, school based trainees and the development of the Meadowbrook precinct.

The Mayor and Councillor, elected in March this year, also took time to meet with staff in Ward 3C and the Coronary Care Unit.

LOGAN HOSPITAL WELCOMES NEW CITY MAYOR

Pictured: (from left) Logan Bayside Health Network Executive Director Brett Bricknell, Mayor Luke Smith, Director Nursing and Midwifery Services Lorraine Stevenson and Division 6 Councillor Stacey McIntosh.

Published by Logan Bayside Health Network Media and Communications Unit

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