Mackay Hospital and Health Service, 475 Bridge Road (2025)

01/08/2025

A 25-year career in cardiac nursing is evidence of Margaret Bazley’s deep dedication to heart health and patient care.

During this time, she has witnessed significant changes in technology and pharmacology, an incredible expansion of surgical and intervention techniques and the shift in focus to preventative care and lifestyle management of cardiac patients.

As a clinical nurse consultant, it is ironic that she considers herself more of a ‘heart recovery nurse’ than her actual specialised role of a Heart Failure Nurse in cardiac services at Mackay Base Hospital.

“I’ve worked in the clinical area of cardiology most of my nursing career; it’s been a passion from the very start,” Margaret said.

“I’ve worked in inpatients looking after people with cardiac conditions, to being involved in patient transfers to tertiary hospitals for cardiac procedures as well as new procedures being done locally.

“Now I’m working in the speciality field of heart failure focussing on inpatient education and follow-up with people in the outpatient department to help with the optimisation of their medication.”

Margaret was honoured to be presented with the 2025 Clinical Nurse Speciality Award at the International Nurses Day Awards at the hospital recently.

The evolution of nursing specialities was one of the biggest changes she had seen in her career in addition to the continual advancement of digital technology.

“Nursing has branched into so many speciality areas beginning with changing from being hospital-trained to university-trained,” she said.

“There are so many new pathways for nurses today to expand their careers into speciality areas such as cardiology, diabetes, gastroenterology, wound management, liver diseases and even clinical measurements or nurse practitioners.

“Your horizons in nursing today are not limited to any one field.”

Margaret did her nursing training at the Mater Private Hospital Mackay and has furthered her coronary care training at the Prince Charles Hospital, Royal Brisbane Women’s Hospital and St Andrew’s Hospital in Brisbane. She started work at Mackay Base Hospital in 2000 in the intensive care and coronary care unit.

Read more of Margaret's story here https://www.mackay.health.qld.gov.au/about-us/news/nurses-a-key-link-in-evolving-chain-of-cardiac-care

30/07/2025

Kerryn Grieve spent six years on dialysis before he received a life-changing kidney transplant earlier this year.

The Mackay father of three had been spending five hours at a time, three days a week at Mackay Base Hospital on haemodialysis after dialysing at home was no longer an option.

Kerryn was diagnosed with end stage kidney disease in 2018 which was secondary to his lupus diagnosis 10 years earlier.

“You are placed on the kidney transplant waitlist when you first start on dialysis,” Kerryn said.

“I started peritoneal dialysis in July 2018 so that I had freedom to continue working and do it at home. I became active on the transplant wait list in November 2024.”

On 7 February this year, Kerryn received a call from the Princess Alexandra Hospital in Brisbane which would change his life; he had progressed up to fourth on the transplant waitlist.

“At 1.30am on 10 February, I received a call that a kidney was available and was advised that the Mackay hospital would contact us with the flight details,” Kerryn said.

“I felt overwhelmed and excited about the news. We had a plan in place beforehand and I had been very open with work, so everyone knew we were waiting for that call at any moment.

“From 1.30am we were organising the kids and dropping them to their nan’s house. We were then at the airport at 5.30am for the 6am flight.”

Kerryn’s kidney transplant took place that same day. He was incredibly grateful for the lifesaving operation and new kidney, but it wasn’t easy recovering from major surgery so far from home.

“It was very difficult to be away from the kids and family for six weeks,” Kerryn said.

“My wife was able to be with me in Brisbane for three weeks and then returned home to be with the kids because it was the first time we had spent more than four days away from them.”

Read more of Kerryn's story here https://www.mackay.health.qld.gov.au/about-us/news/lifesaving-transplant-gifts-kerryn-more-time-with-family

29/07/2025

📣 Working with Mackay Hospital and Health Service (HHS) is an opportunity to proudly contribute to the health care of people living across the Mackay, Isacc and Whitsunday regions.

Right now there are a range of careers available within our hospitals and community health facilities.

If you would like to be part of a dynamic, multidisciplinary team, check the listing below for a role that’s suitable for you:

📌 General Medicine Physician (Staff Specialist or Senior Staff Specialist) – Mackay
https://smartjobs.qld.gov.au/jobs/QLD-MK650563

📌 Senior Occupational Therapist – Proserpine
https://smartjobs.qld.gov.au/jobs/QLD-650429

📌 Senior Medical Officer (General Practitioner/Rural Generalist) – Moranbah
https://smartjobs.qld.gov.au/jobs/QLD-MK640625

📌 Enrolled Nurses – Various locations across Mackay HHS
https://smartjobs.qld.gov.au/jobs/QLD-573065

📌 Operational Security and Fire Officer - Mackay
https://smartjobs.qld.gov.au/jobs/QLD-651338

📌 Manager Work Health and Safety – Mackay
https://smartjobs.qld.gov.au/jobs/QLD-650359

📌 Administration Officer (Reliever) – Mackay
https://smartjobs.qld.gov.au/jobs/QLD-650346

📌 Revenue Officer (Finance Management) – Mackay
https://smartjobs.qld.gov.au/jobs/QLD-650123

📌 Travel Officer - Mackay
https://smartjobs.qld.gov.au/jobs/QLD-650114

📌 Care Support Officer – Mackay
https://smartjobs.qld.gov.au/jobs/QLD-639517-OP

📌 Speech Pathologist – Mackay
https://smartjobs.qld.gov.au/jobs/QLD-650083

📌 Senior Employment Relations Consultant – Mackay
https://smartjobs.qld.gov.au/jobs/QLD-648447

View all our current vacancies via SmartJobs: https://bit.ly/4hEakbT

28/07/2025

Her unwavering dedication across multiple roles earned Natalie Williams the Non-Clinical Excellence Award at the 2025 Let’s Celebrate Mackay HHS People Awards.

Natalie has been an indispensable part of the Mackay HHS for many years. She has served as the Director of Strategy and Planning and now as Director of Infrastructure Delivery and leads with a rare combination of vision, compassion and practical wisdom.

Her open-door policy and genuine approach to mentorship create a workplace where staff feel valued, heard and empowered. Natalie consistently goes above and beyond, working tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure projects run smoothly and organisational goals are not just met, but exceeded.

Her ability to foster strong collaboration across departments, combined with her solutions-focused mindset, means she is always looking for smarter ways to improve processes and support her colleagues. Her warm and supportive nature helps build a positive work environment where innovation and teamwork thrive.

Congratulations and thank you to Natalie for your leadership and dedication. ⭐

27/07/2025

💗 Did you know one organ donor can save up to seven lives and help many more through eye and tissue donation?

This week marks DonateLife Week (27 July to 3 August), a national awareness week dedicated to encouraging more people to register and support organ and tissue donation.

Registering with the Australian Organ Donor Register gives hope to around 1,800 Australians and their families currently waiting for the call that a lifesaving organ has become available.

It doesn’t matter how healthy or old you are, everyone over the age of 16 can register. You could one day be the reason someone else gets a second chance at life.

Registration takes just one minute at www.donatelife.gov.au or your Medicare app. You can also use these channels to check and make sure you’re registered.

Finally, make sure you talk to your family about your decision, and that you’ve said “yes” to one day possibly saving lives.

📸 Mackay HHS donation specialist nurse coordinator Donna Contor

25/07/2025

🎉 Congratulations to Collinsville wards person Breen Austin, who won the Golden Boot Award at the Let's Celebrate Mackay HHS People Awards.

Breen has been a pillar of the Collinsville community for more than 30 years. He also serves as the local X-ray operator, ensuring residents have access to vital imaging services in their hometown.

Beyond his usual duties, Breen also leads patient handling training for staff, sharing his expertise with a positive attitude and unwavering commitment.

Breen is well-respected team player and a dependable presence who has given outstanding service to the Collinsville community for three decades.
Congratulations Breen! ⭐

23/07/2025

Due to a high number of respiratory virus cases across the Mackay Base Hospital and Collinsville, Dysart and Clermont hospitals, we ask visitors to wear a mask on entry to these facilities.

Masks are available at our hospitals if you do not have one.

We ask visitors to utilise alcohol-based hand rub on entry and exit to the hospital and wards.

Importantly, please reconsider your need to visit if you are unwell.

We are closely monitoring the current situation and will advise of any changes to the ongoing need for masks.

23/07/2025

Mackay Base Hospital’s main car park access road will be temporarily reduced to one lane tomorrow, Thursday 24 July, from 5.30pm to 6.30pm while underground cable investigation works are carried out.

The hospital and main car park will still be accessible with signage and traffic control in place to manage the work area.

People accessing this entry to the hospital are advised to follow directions and take care if driving or walking nearby.

These works have been planned for a later time in the day to reduce any potential impacts to car park users.

Thank you for your patience while these works take place.

22/07/2025

📣 Working with Mackay Hospital and Health Service (HHS) is an opportunity to proudly contribute to the health care of people living across the Mackay, Isacc and Whitsunday regions.

Right now there are a range of careers available within our hospitals and community health facilities.

If you would like to be part of a dynamic, multidisciplinary team, check the listing below for a role that’s suitable for you:

📌 Allied Health Rural Generalist (Occupational Therapist or Physiotherapist) – Clermont, Dysart or Moranbah
https://smartjobs.qld.gov.au/jobs/QLD-649796

📌 Nurse Navigator – Mackay
https://smartjobs.qld.gov.au/jobs/QLD-649997

📌 Administration Officer (Hinterland Mental Health Service) – Moranbah
https://smartjobs.qld.gov.au/jobs/QLD-646469

📌 Data Quality Officer (Health Information Services) – Mackay
https://smartjobs.qld.gov.au/jobs/QLD-649714

📌 Groundsperson – Dysart
https://smartjobs.qld.gov.au/jobs/QLD-648233

📌 Senior Physiotherapist – Bowen
https://smartjobs.qld.gov.au/jobs/QLD-649336

📌 Allied Health Team Leader - Clermont, Dysart or Moranbah
https://smartjobs.qld.gov.au/jobs/QLD-648823

📌 Treasury Accountant – Mackay
https://smartjobs.qld.gov.au/jobs/QLD-648810

📌 Clinical Nurse – Collinsville
https://smartjobs.qld.gov.au/jobs/QLD-649150

📌 Administration Officer (Women's & Children's Services) – Mackay
https://smartjobs.qld.gov.au/jobs/QLD-649125

📌 Assistant Director of Nursing (Division of Medical Services) – Mackay
https://smartjobs.qld.gov.au/jobs/QLD-648722

📌 Senior Business Analyst – Mackay
https://smartjobs.qld.gov.au/jobs/QLD-648568

View all our current vacancies via SmartJobs: https://bit.ly/4hEakbT

22/07/2025

🎉 Congratulations to our 2025 Innovation and Productivity award winner Emma Hess. She was presented her award at the Let’s Celebrate Mackay HHS People Awards on Friday 11 July.

Emma has played a critical role in improving hospital flow and capacity with a relentless focus on innovation and collaboration, in her role as Nursing Director Patient Flow.

She is the driving force behind the Patient Access and Coordination Hub and has built strong, collaborative relationships with private facilities across the Mackay region, helping relieve pressure and improve patient care across the entire HHS.

She’s not only deeply involved in big-picture strategy – she also ensures the voices of staff are heard and respected. She brings a positive energy to every challenge, blending innovation with thoughtful change management to ensure that new ideas are not just introduced, but embraced.

Emma, your dedication, creativity, and impact are truly inspiring. Congratulations on this well-deserved recognition! ⭐

18/07/2025

The 2025 People’s Choice Award went to a team whose compassion, dedication and unwavering support have touched the lives of so many in our community, the Palliative Care Team. ⭐

The Mackay Base Hospital team was presented with this award at the Let’s Celebrate Mackay HHS People Awards on Friday 11 July.

The Palliative Care team has been described as true pillars of comfort and hope, offering genuine care and empathy not only for the patient but for families navigating incredibly difficult journeys.

The Palliative Care team is a steadfast lifeline, providing reassurance, expert support and kindness in moments filled with fear and uncertainty.

This team’s work goes far beyond medicine. They bring confidence and peace of mind to families when it is needed most. Their dedication to walking alongside patients and their loved ones through the hardest of times is truly inspiring.

Congratulations to the Palliative Care team on this wonderful recognition of their compassion and commitment to care. 🏆

17/07/2025

🎉 Congratulations to our 2025 Chief Executive Values Award winner Dr Wojciech Szubert. ⭐

The Mackay Base Hospital obstetric and gynaecology staff specialist was presented with his award at the Let’s Celebrate Mackay HHS People Awards on Friday 11 July.

Dr Szubert is well-known for his tireless work in advancing care for women with chronic pelvic pain and endometriosis. Since joining Mackay HHS, he has been the driving force behind the establishment of the Mackay Endometriosis and Pelvic Pain Service (MEPPS), delivering care which previously required women to travel to Brisbane or Townsville.

He has developed multidisciplinary collaborations across departments and specialties, advocating for improved service delivery both locally and at the national level. His patients feel heard, valued and supported and his colleagues describe him as kind, humble and an inspiring mentor.

Whether it is in surgery, consultation, education, or system redesign, Dr Szubert consistently leads with integrity, respect and teamwork. His impact on healthcare is already profound and his vision continues to shape a stronger, more inclusive health service for women in our region.

Congratulations Dr Szubert! 🏆

Mackay Hospital and Health Service

01/08/2025

30/07/2025

29/07/2025

28/07/2025

27/07/2025

25/07/2025

23/07/2025

23/07/2025

22/07/2025

22/07/2025

18/07/2025

17/07/2025

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