As refurbishment works continue at H2 East at Robina Hospital, selected staff artwork will soon add to a calming, familiar and supportive environment for older adults receiving care in the future Acute Cognitive Unit (ACU) and Acute Geriatric Unit (AGU).
Following a staff photography competition led by Gold Coast Health’s Creative Health Hub, eight staff photographs have been selected for permanent display throughout the ward.
The photographs include coastal scenes, waterways, wildlife and local landmarks captured by staff from across the organisation, from clinicians to administration staff and food services teams.
The successful contributors include Robina Hospital Retail Food Supervisor Phisit (Wow) Phochiangrak, Infection Control Clinical Nurse Simon Leonard, Emergency Department Senior House Officer Ryan Churchill, Brooke Randall from Cancer, Blood Disorders and Respiratory Services, Independent Patient Rights Advisor Kelli Hazard and Women, Newborn and Children’s Services Referral Hub Administration Officer Jamie Bleakley.
Gold Coast Health Nurse Unit Manager Tracey Miller said the artwork will reinforce the ward’s focus on comfort, familiarity and connection for older adults.
“Artwork and familiar imagery can play a really important role in helping people feel more connected and grounded during their care. The art also serves as a valuable tool for orientation and wayfinding, particularly for people living with dementia.” Tracey said.
“We want H2 East to feel welcoming and supportive, with spaces that promote dignity, comfort and emotional wellbeing for patients and their families.”
Women, Newborn and Children’s Services Referral Hub Administration Officer Jamie Bleakley, whose photograph captures a sunset over Kirra Beach, said the competition gave him an opportunity to showcase photography from a different perspective.
“As a vision impaired photographer, I wanted to show what photography looks like through my eyes and what someone with limited vision is capable of,” Jamie said.
“It makes me feel really proud to have my work displayed in a hospital setting and I hope the photograph helps patients, families and staff feel relaxed and calm.”
Robina Hospital Retail Food Supervisor Phisit (Wow) Phochiangrak said the opportunity to contribute was deeply meaningful.
“Having my artwork featured in a healthcare environment means so much to me, as this is the first time my photography has ever been displayed publicly,” Phisit said.
“By bringing this photo into the hospital, I hope to give patients, families, friends and staff a brief escape – offering them a moment to just breathe and relax.”
Infection Control Clinical Nurse Simon Leonard said he was proud to contribute to the project.
“I understand the importance of art and the environment in creating a healing space, so I am deeply proud to have my artwork selected,” Simon said.
“I hope the photograph helps create a sense of calm and comfort for patients, families and staff, even if it’s just for a moment during their day.”
Gold Coast Health Creative Health Hub Manager Laura Strange said the competition highlights the incredible talent that exists across the organisation while also supporting dementia design principles.
“It’s really special that the artworks selected for H2 East have been captured by our own staff,” Laura said.
“The photographs reflect familiar Gold Coast environments and calming natural settings, helping create moments of recognition, connection and comfort for people moving through the space.”
The artwork program builds on the success of the “Spark a Conversation” initiative introduced at H Block at Gold Coast University Hospital in 2025, where familiar imagery and local landscapes were carefully integrated into the environment to support comfort, connection and wellbeing for patients and families.
Works across H2 East continue to progress, with upgraded patient rooms, refreshed corridors, enhanced wayfinding and contemporary therapeutic design features now taking shape ahead of the ward reopening.
The refreshed ward will include 20 beds across the Acute Cognitive Unit and Acute Geriatric Unit, designed to support older adults and patients experiencing cognitive impairment and Behavioural and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia (BPSD).
The H2 East refurbishment continues to bring together clinical, operational, infrastructure and creative teams to shape a contemporary care environment focused on wellbeing for older adults and their families, and expects to welcome its first patients from late July.
The successful contributors include Robina Hospital Retail Food Supervisor Phisit (Wow) Phochiangrak, Infection Control Clinical Nurse Simon Leonard, Emergency Department Senior House Officer Ryan Churchill, Brooke Randall from Cancer, Blood Disorders and Respiratory Services, Independent Patient Rights Advisor Kelli Hazard and Women, Newborn and Children’s Services Referral Hub Administration Officer Jamie Bleakley.
