Professor of Emergency Care Dr Julia Crilly, has been awarded an Order of Australia Medal for her service to emergency care nursing. 

Prof Crilly OAM leads and supports research in Gold Coast Health’s emergency department, and has a special research interest in the improvement of emergency care for vulnerable population groups.

Dr Crilly has independently and jointly been involved in gaining more than $6 million in grants to fund research projects that enable clinicians and students to be mentored. 

Crazy Socks 4 Docs Day looks a little different at Gold Coast Health this year, but the national initiative’s message is the same, and it’s more vital than ever. 

Held on the first Friday of June, Crazy Socks 4 Docs Day acknowledges all those in the medical workforce who are twice as likely to suicide compared to the broader community. Research shows doctors are at higher risk of suicide, suicidal thinking, and psychological distress. 

Have you heard of The Pandemic Kindness Movement? As the name suggests, the intention of the clinician-led project is to ‘spread only kindness’ and support the wellbeing of the health workforce. In this article, we learn about the PKM, and how Gold Coast Health’s home-grown version of the gratitude movement rose to the surface during the swell of COVID-19. 

Gold Coast Health has received international recognition for nursing and midwifery by becoming the first full health service in Australia to receive the prestigious Magnet Recognition. 

Gold Coast Health is delivering patient care in the comfort of home for paediatric patients who are at greater risk of infection, reducing hospital trips and anxiety during COVID-19.

Increasing the scope of care the Children’s Hospital in the Home (CHITH) service can provide during the pandemic has made the world of difference to immunocompromised patients undergoing cancer treatment like four-year-old Scout Pederson.

In the past month, Gold Coast Health has completed more than 250 simulations of medical procedures, to prepare clinicians to treat patients with various medical conditions combined with suspected or confirmed COVID-19.

Gold Coast Health is urging people who are experiencing a medical emergency during the COVID-19 pandemic not to hesitate to call 000 or present to an emergency department.

Director of Emergency Medicine Associate Professor David Green said emergency departments were ready to care for patients 24-hours-a-day, whether they have suspected COVID-19 or not. 

“Our hospitals are safe to attend, and we have gone above and beyond to take all necessary measures to protect staff and patients from any risk of infection,” Dr Green said. 

Many Gold Coasters may be concerned that will be diagnosed with coronavirus (COVID-19). But what actually happens when you contract the virus?

It’s important to remember that everyone diagnosed with COVID-19 will experience it a little differently, because their bodies will respond to the virus in a different way.

Treating mild illness at home

It’s important to look after your mental wellbeing during these challenging times.

A successful community partnership is making a difference to hundreds of families as they deal with the stress of being away from home when they have a loved one in hospital with life-threatening illness or injury.

Gold Coast Health and The Mooring, a not-for-profit service coordinated through the Southport Church of Christ, link families of patients in Intensive Care Units with practical support such as accommodation, transport, meals, care packages and more.