Gold Coast Health Cardiac Scientist Braden Dinham has been actively providing input on the development of the new Coomera Hospital as a member of the Project User Group. His involvement highlights the importance of clinician consultation in creating effective health care facilities.
What is your current role at Gold Coast Health?
We provide comprehensive diagnostic testing and management for a wide range of heart conditions, not only aiding in an accurate diagnosis but also optimising treatment to help patients feel better and return to the activities they love.
In lay terms, our key services include pacemaker and defibrillator management, heart ultrasounds, support for blocked coronary arteries and structural heart procedures, cardiac device implantation and testing, as well as irregular heart rhythm checks and advice.
What has been your involvement or function at Coomera Hospital?
Our service, like others, has its own unique requirements. During the consultation phase, there were certainly some raised eyebrows when we first brought up the idea of installing treadmills in a hospital! But, in all seriousness, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed having input into the floor plan, room layout and selecting the fittings and equipment for the unit.
What is the significance of clinicians having input in the development of this prospective facility?
I’ve personally witnessed interstate facilities where the lack of clinical input has led to critical deficiencies, ultimately compromising the ability to serve the community safely and effectively.
Having clinician involvement not only fulfills the desire to be engaged and ensure essential elements are incorporated, but it also fosters valuable dialogue on how the service can be improved. This collaboration often brings fresh perspectives on how care can be delivered more effectively.
Do you have a triumph as a member of the Project User Group?
With such an engaging and accommodating project team, it's hard to imagine the finished result being anything but successful. The thought-provoking discussions on how we can operate in the new facility have been truly inspiring and positive.
What do you hope the Coomera Hospital will be?
I hope it will not only establish its own identity as a success story serving the northern Gold Coast but also become an integral part of the growing Gold Coast Health family.
Finally, how do you maintain your health?
Any movement is good for your health, so I ride to work whenever I can and focus on eating healthily. While the southern Gold Coast is known for its surf beaches, we're equally fortunate on the northern Gold Coast with the beautiful Broadwater. I love kite-foiling when the wind is up and kayaking when it's calm.
