Queensland Health

'You never know what you're going to get in the day, which is sometimes a bit exciting. It's very fast paced, so you're on your feet, constantly moving and thinking critically.' Spend an hour with clinical nurse Izzy and follow her on shift at Rockhampton Hospital's emergency department (ED). 🏨 In an ED, no two days are the same, and Izzy enjoys even more variety, by working in different nursing roles each shift. 'Today, I'm a shift coordinator, so I'm getting patients up to the ward, listening to the concerns of our staff members about patients who are critically unwell, moving patients into a resus bay and getting patients off ambulances and into rooms,' she said. 'Other days, I might be working in resus doing one-to-one nursing and taking care of people when they're sickest and most vulnerable, or at the front window, triaging patients to determine when they get seen.' Izzy is a born and bred Rocky girl. She studied at university locally, graduated and started work at Rockhampton's ED the next day. 🏃♀️➡️ 'It was always Rocky. My family's here and I get to work at a great hospital where we get a good mix of patients, diversity and trauma. 'I love the ED team. If one of us is a bit bogged down, we work as a team, help each other out and make sure we go for breaks.' Thank you, Izzy, and all our ED staff, for all you do to care for Queenslanders when they’re at their most vulnerable. ❤️

*Sun of a* ... we whisper as we realise all the ways you can be exposed to the sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays. 😅 Being sun safe isn't just for beach trips; you should practise it every day. Walking to work from the train, sitting near a window, driving your car, walking on a cloudy day—these are all ways you can be exposed to the sun's UV rays. Especially in Queensland, where the UV Index reaches 3 or higher year-round. ☀️ Skin is generally at risk of damage after 10 minutes outdoors when the UV Index is 3 or above. Reducing your exposure to UV is the most effective way to prevent all types of skin cancer. So, make sun safety a daily habit, not just something you think about in summer. Here's how: > apply SPF50+ sunscreen in the morning before you leave the house > choose to wear loose, long-sleeved clothing > wear a hat and slide on some sunnies if you go for a walk outdoors > seek shade where you can. ℹ️ Sources: Cancer Council | University of Wollongong

'I love seeing the spark in young people when they feel heard, supported and proud of themselves.' 🌟 Meet Jenny—she's the community program coordinator for the HOPE program at South West Hospital and Health Service. 👋 Not originally from Charleville, she has lived and worked in the small rural town for several years. Like many who come to the outback, she quickly felt connected to the people and the area. 'I’ve always been passionate about working with young people and supporting regional communities. When the opportunity came up to join the HOPE Program, it felt like the perfect fit,' Jenny said. The HOPE Program works with children and young people up to the age of 25 years in the Charleville and Cunnamulla area to improve their health and social outcomes. The program's overall goal is to help address deep and persistent disadvantage, and its impact on young people’s development pathways. In her role, Jenny brings community members and services together to support young people. Her work involves organising events at schools, running leadership programs, coordinating youth activities, and working with service providers. 'My job is really about making sure young people have the support, opportunities and connections they need to thrive,' Jenny said. 'Whether it’s connecting them to mentors, building resilience or helping them realise they have options. There’s real impact in what we do.' As for working in a rural town, Jenny encourages anyone considering it to go for it. 🙌 'The sense of community, the chance to make a real difference and the lifestyle are all huge positives. Out here, your work doesn’t just blend into the background; it’s seen, it’s valued and it genuinely matters,' she said. We agree Jenny! Thanks for sharing your story. 🙂 Does a move to a rural health career sound like your jam? Discover your next opportunity at https://lnkd.in/gxdyG523 #RuralHealth #QHCareers #YouthHealth

'My role is exciting because it’s always future-focused. I get to think about how we can innovate and change to better meet the needs of our Queensland communities.' Meet Paula—she's an economist in our System Planning Branch and Workforce Strategy Branch. 🌟 While attending medical school, Paula decided on a career change to health analytics. For almost ten years, health forecasting, modelling and service planning have been her passion. 🔎 'Planning is focused on making sure the health system is prepared for the future,' Paula said. 'We use economic and mathematical techniques to analyse the current health system and workforce. This helps us predict where the system is headed and what we need to do now to prepare.' Paula and her team have been involved in developing the Workforce Gap Analysis. This is a report that highlights where the most critical workforce shortages and challenges exist, now and into the future. 'Developing the gap analysis was a collaborative effort across Queensland Health. We worked across the system to inform our analysis approach,' Paula said. 'We’re now seeking feedback to continue that collaboration with the broader health sector.' The Workforce Gap Analysis Survey is now open for you to have your say. 💻 Your feedback, combined with the analytical work, will directly inform the development of a new system-wide workforce plan for release next year. To read the reports and provide feedback via the online survey, visit ➡️ https://lnkd.in/g_zq5wtc The survey will close at 11.59pm on 10 December 2025. #GapAnalysis #Workforce #Health #Survey

Meet Arica—she's an environmental health officer at West Moreton Hospital and Health Service.👋 We spent a day with her to find out what it's like to be an EHO. And let's just say, she kept us on our toes! As an EHO, Arica's passionate about protecting the health of the community. She and her team monitor and manage environmental health risks that could cause illness or injury. These risks include: > food and water > mosquitoes, insects and other pests > disasters and incidents > disease outbreaks > harmful substances > chemicals and radiation. Thanks for letting us tag along, Arica! 🫶 This is just one of the many amazing careers available at Queensland Health. If you're interested in working with us, search 'QH careers' now! 📱 #EnvironmentalHealth #PublicHealth #QHCareers #HealthJobs

Meet Meeya—the singing nurse! 🎤 She's a clinical nurse in Logan Hospital's Paediatric Emergency Department (ED), mum of five, singer/songwriter and studying to become a nurse practitioner. 🌟 'As a senior paediatric nurse, I'm often the shift manager in the department,' Meeya said. 'I support junior staff, help with audits to improve our healthcare delivery and promote a positive working culture. I also get to know the families and help their children feel at ease about being in hospital.' Meeya grew up in Brisbane before moving to Melbourne, where she lived for 15 years. There, she was a graphic designer, singer and musician until a serious illness changed her life in 2009. While being treated for swine flu in the intensive care unit (ICU), Meeya realised nursing was her calling. 'I loved my nurses so much I wanted to be one!' she said. After getting her nursing degree in Melbourne, Meeya returned to Queensland and worked for a nursing agency for a few months. She applied for a permanent position in the Logan Hospital ED, and the rest is history. 'It was the best decision ever,' she said. 'I love how the team on shift (nurses, doctors, social workers, mental health) all work together for the good of the children. Everything we do is for them (and their families)—making it safe for them, helping them to feel at ease and bringing joy. 'Having that shared goal is fundamental for positive outcomes and the team at Logan brings that every single shift.' Meeya is passionate about helping families from different cultures to learn and feel empowered about their child's health. She also has a special spot in her heart for the parents who bring their sick children into the ED. 🥰 'I was a mum before I was a nurse and will never forget how difficult it was being in hospital with my children, not understanding what was going on sometimes,' she said. Outside of work, Meeya still loves to write songs and sing. She has her own YouTube channel, 'Musical Medicine with Nurse Meeya', where she performs her original songs to help children learn about their bodies and feel brave about hospital visits. 🎶 Thanks for sharing your incredible story with us, Meeya. 🤩 Has Meeya's story inspired you? Learn about career pathways, like nursing, visit https://lnkd.in/gxdyG523 💻 #Nursing #Paediatrics #EmergencyDepartment

Ever thought about moving to a small town? Jess is a physiotherapist at Charleville Hospital, where no two days are ever the same. 🫶 From helping patients recover from injuries to supporting older adults in fun exercise classes, her role is all about keeping people moving and feeling their best. As a physio in a rural hospital, Jess gets to work across a wide range of areas including: 💪 musculoskeletal injuries and chronic pain 👶 paediatrics 💃 women’s health 👵 aged care and falls prevention ✈️ outreach clinics in remote communities. One of Jess’s favourite parts of working rural is being part of her local community. Whether it’s joining the local run club, flying with the Royal Flying Doctor Service (Queensland Section) to smaller towns, or teaching classes at the aged care centre, she loves the variety and connection her role brings. Interested in a career with us? Learn more about career pathways at ➡️ https://lnkd.in/gxdyG523 #RuralHealth #HealthJobs #Physio

'The reality is, as a regional surgeon and an international medical graduate, I am just really grateful to have the opportunity to treat patients in Queensland. It sounds a little cringe, probably because it is, but it's glorious to drive to work in the sunshine, help people get the use of their hands back, and spend my weekends in beautiful surrounds, with welcoming folk and a little community I have become a part of.' ❤️ Originally from the UK, hand and wrist orthopaedic surgeon Dr Simon always knew he would make a permanent move to Australia and started the process while completing a fellowship in Sydney. 'A big part of me wanting to stay in Australia was finding a “unicorn” unit—one that I want to work in, one that wants me to work there, one that will support an international medical graduate going through the process, one that wants someone with a niche skill set—and all of a sudden, I found one. Very much right place, right time vibes,' he said. 🙌 He found that 'unicorn' unit at Rockhampton Hospital, where Dr Simon and the incredible orthopaedics team treat problems of the musculoskeletal system: the bones, joints, muscles, tendons, ligaments and nerves. 🦴 'Day to day, I work alongside junior doctors who it is my absolute privilege to train and support when I can, other consultants, nurses, hand therapists and about a dozen other teams and specialists to treat patients with emergency-type problems as well as those that might be chronic, that have been lingering around. 'My job is to improve people’s function and quality of life and reduce their pain. Basically, my job is to fix stuff, so it works better, or at least, doesn't cause as much of a problem.' Dr Simon says he feels 'unashamedly lucky' to work in such a close-knit, supportive team. 👯♂️ 'There’s this saying, “if you want to go fast, go alone. But if you want to go far, go together”. Well, that’s us,' he said. 'There’s a really respectful and supportive culture in the orthopaedic surgery unit here. Not just among the surgeons, but also the nurses, anaesthetists, podiatrists, hand therapists, physios, the list goes on. It’s knowing that I can ask for help, and it will always be given. It’s knowing that someone is always looking out for you.' Thank you, Dr Simon, and all our orthopaedics staff, for all you do to keep Queenslanders healthy and moving. 💙

Meet Hannah and Sophie—two of the newest midwives at RBWH. 👋 The new graduates (pictured wearing purple scrubs) were welcome additions to the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital maternity ward team due to the recently adjusted midwife-to-patient ratios. The new ratios mean that midwives will have no more than six patients in their care on each shift. Newborn babies are now counted as separate patients to their mums. 👶 This change enables midwives to provide more personalised care to mothers and babies during those crucial hours following birth. It will also help to ease the midwives' workloads. 🤗 'It means more time, more support and more personalised care for families,' RBWH Midwifery Unit Manager, Sandra said. 'Our amazing midwives can focus on what truly matters: helping parents feel confident, safe and supported as they welcome their little ones into the world.' It's great to have you aboard, Hannah and Sophie! 🙌 Via Metro North Health #Midwife #NewGrads #Ratios

They're not twins, but baby Benji and his older brother Beauden have matching birth stories. ❤️❤️ Both brothers were born early at 35 weeks after mum, Britt, experienced preterm pre-labour rupture of membranes (PPROM). This is when the amniotic sac spontaneously breaks before 37 weeks of pregnancy and the amniotic fluid leaks out. This puts mother and baby at greater risk of infection. 'Because Benji was premature, he had a 12-day stay in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) where he had oxygen and feeding support,' Britt said. 'Throughout my pregnancy I was also sent for additional scans and an MRI which picked up some brain abnormalities. These were monitored by the maternal foetal medicine team, but were cleared upon reviewing at birth.' While it was the second time Britt and husband Kyle found themselves with a newborn in the NICU, they were glad to be in the capable hands of Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital (RBWH) staff. 🙌 'I was supported during my pregnancy by my lovely midwife, Sheree. I was so thankful to be accepted into the Midwifery Group Practice (MGP) so Sheree could be my midwife throughout,' Britt said. 'Kyle and I can't express how thankful we are for the care of all the team in the Special Care Nursery. From the lactation consultants to the physiotherapists to the doctors overseeing Benji's care; thank you!' We're glad Benji is home now where he's getting lots of cuddles from big brother Beauden. 🤗