Mater

In the last 20 years, Venus Thromboembolism (VTE) continues to be the leading cause of maternal death, with 30% of women not having any traditional risk factors. In the latest episode of sMater, Dr Caroline Wilson discusses VTE and how GPs can help prevent and treat the condition. Tune in today! 🎧 Watch: https://lnkd.in/guCPSibR Listen: https://lnkd.in/g9WCc2Wx

Today is R U OK? Day – the time to ask a simple question that can make a world of difference. At Mater, we're taking this opportunity to reach out to friends, family, and colleagues. Let's pause, connect, and check in on each other, because a conversation could change a life. #RUOKDay #MentalHealthMatters #Mater

Mater Private Hospital Townsville has begun a new era of collaboration with the Townsville Hospital and Health Service to further strengthen healthcare for the North Queensland community. A historic meeting of the Mater and Townsville Hospital and Health boards committed to working together to reduce elective surgery waits and to developing the city’s clinical workforce. Mater Board Chair Patrick Brady said Mater and THHS already collaborated closely, but there was more to be done. “Combining expertise and sharing new technologies across the private and public healthcare sectors will ensure the people of North Queensland have greater access to services and care in their own community,” Mr Brady said. The two healthcare providers came together in 2021 to support a $3.3 million joint investment in the Da Vinci robotic surgery system. More than 960 Mater and THHS patients have since undergone surgery using the robot. Townsville Hospital and Health Board Chair Tony Mooney said key aims would include leasing additional operating theatre capacity from Mater and creating opportunities to build a shared clinical workforce. “We all know that health services across the country are challenged by an increase in demand for services driven by a growing and ageing population and a higher prevalence of chronic disease,” Mr Mooney said. 

National Child Protection week is an opportunity to highlight the important role we all have in keeping children safe 💕 Mater’s dedicated social work team work with patients everyday to make sure every family and community has what kids need to thrive and be healthy. This year’s themes from the National Association for Prevention of Child abuse and Neglect (NAPCAN) highlights the message that ‘Every conversation matters’ which aims to promote a safe and supported life for every child, now and beyond. #ChildProtectionWeek #EveryConversationMatters #Healthcare #prevention #Protection

Generous community donations to this year’s Kalbar Sunflower Festival have been channeled into improving cancer care for people living in the Springfield region. Ninetta Stockwell has been appointed the inaugural Mater Cancer Care Coordinator at Mater Private Hospital Springfield with the new position created from the festival’s fundraising efforts. “I am deeply honoured to step into this role and will be helping to empower patients to make informed decisions about their care by understanding their diagnosis, treatment pathways and how to manage side effects,” Ninetta said. The Kalbar Sunflower Festival is coordinated by Jenny Jenner who was inspired by the compassion and care for her late husband Russell when he was a patient at Mater Cancer Care Springfield. “It’s a way to honour his memory and help others going through similar battles,” Jenny said. The next Kalbar Sunflower Festival will be held 2 – 4 May 2025 with proceeds once again going to fund vital services and equipment at Mater Cancer Care Centre at Springfield. To find out more or to become a corporate sponsor, visit kalbarsunflowers.com.au, or email [email protected]. #sunflowers #cancercare #fundraising

Did you know reported cases of Syphilis in Queensland have increased nine-fold over the past two decades? As we head into Women’s Health Week, Dr Maggie Robin speaks with Dr Jill Parkes-Smith about the risks of the infection for pregnant mothers when left untreated and the referral regime for GPs. Check it out! Watch 🎥 mater.li/sMaterVideo Listen 🎧 mater.li/sMaterAudio

Meet Kate, our lactation consultant at Mater Health Hub Springfield 👋 Kate has extensive experience as a registered nurse and clinical midwife, and offers a range of baby-feeding support both at the hub and through home visits. "Breastfeeding is a personal journey, and there are many ways to support parents and carers while navigating baby feeding." "Whether it's positioning and attachment, sore or damaged nipples, low milk supply or supplemental feeding, many options are available to support new parents." Kate also provides assistance with engorgement and mastitis for mums, as well as helping babies with tongue-ties or oral restrictions. Learn more about our specialised women’s health services at 👉https://bit.ly/3yFODb5

After the care she received during the birth of her child at Mater Mothers’ Hospital, Mikayla decided a healthcare career was in her future. She has just finished her Certificate III in Pathology Collection with Mater Education and has already landed a job as a phlebotomist at Sullivan Nicolaides! Congratulations to Mikayla and all of Mater Education's August Certificate III in Pathology Collection graduates! Read more about Mikayla's journey here 👉 mater.li/Mikayla

Huge congratulations to Mater’s Donata Sackey, who has been named winner of the Lifetime Achiever award at the Multicultural Queensland Awards 2024.   Donata is our Director, Multicultural and Refugee Health and has worked to improve the health and wellbeing of newly-arrived refugees and people seeking asylum for more than 30 years. The award recognises extraordinary individuals who have demonstrated an outstanding long-term commitment to supporting and promoting and inclusive multicultural Queensland – and Donata is a worthy winner!   We are incredibly proud of Donata and the difference she has made to some of Queensland’s most vulnerable people.

Mater was thrilled to be at the launch of the 2024 The Courier-Mail Bush Summit in Townsville this morning, which brought together leaders from all industries to discuss the opportunities and issues facing regional areas of Australia today and into the future. The conversation will continue next week, with the Bush Summit travelling to regional centres in other states. We are leading the national conversation around regional health, ensuring the highest quality care at all of our 11 hospitals and across our other three ministries Mater Education, Mater Research and Mater Foundation.