Gold Coast Health

27/01/2026

Little miss Immogen presented to the Children's Emergency Department with floppiness, limp, a high temperature and breathing struggles.

The results revealed respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and she spent two days recovering in our Children's Inpatients ward.

"It was an incredibly scary and overwhelming time for our family," her mum said.

"But the professionalism, compassion, and genuine care shown to our daughter and to us was nothing short of amazing.

"We are so grateful for the dedication, kindness, and exceptional care provided, and we will never forget the impact it had on our family."

We are happy to report Immogen is feeling much better. ⭐ Thank you so much to our amazing ED and paediatrics teams for your amazing support! 💖

27/01/2026

It is said that it takes a village to raise a child, and it’s the same for doctors. 🩺

That’s the reflection of Dr Dilpreet Moti, who was recently voted by her peers as the People’s Choice Intern of the Year. ⭐

“We’re a great bunch of interns who have been highly supportive of each other,” she said.

“And we wouldn’t be where we are today without the support of our mentors and the residents, registrars and seniors. It is definitely a community effort.”

Dr Moti hails from Canada 🍁 and took a fascinating educational journey towards becoming a doctor.

Before completing medical school at Griffith University, she had already earned degrees in neuroscience, physiology and forest conservation science as well as a Bachelor of Education and a Master of Educational Leadership and Policy. (🤯)

Dilpreet said she found a ‘surprising’ interest in orthopaedics and rehabilitation in her first year as a doctor, but looking forward, her number one aim is to be kind.

“A theme that prevails throughout my entire experience, and I think one of the strengths that I hope to continue to carry, is just spreading kindness. It goes a long way, as simple as it is.”

Congratulations Dr Moti on being the People’s Choice Intern of the Year! 👏

27/01/2026

Meet our newest medical interns! 👋

One third of this year's 91 interns come from outside the Gold Coast region, so we decided to ask them where abouts they've travelled from to work with us. ✈️

Following orientation, interns will begin clinical rotations next week across Emergency Medicine, Surgery, Mental Health, Obstetrics, Paediatrics, and other specialties, gaining hands-on experience to care for the community. 🩺🥼

25/01/2026

Heading to the beach today?

It's set to be a hot one, and the Gold Coast Health Public Health Unit (PHU) is encouraging everyone to take up all five sun protection habits - Slip, Slop, Slap, Seek and Slide:

👖Slip on sun protective clothing
🧴Slop on SPF50 sunscreen
👒Slap on a broad-brimmed hat
🏖️Seek shade
😎Slide on some sunglasses

Did you know that your skin can be damaged in as little as 10 minutes without protection when the UV Index is high?

In Queensland the UV index is moderate to extreme all year round and the use of sun safe behaviours is required everyday - not just in the summer months.

"It's all about creating healthy sun-smart habits," Senior Health promotion Officer Kat Cacavas said.

"We live in the skin cancer capital of the world, so it's vital our young people know the risks and the right protections to take".

Visit the Cancer Council website and make sure you're staying sun-smart: https://bit.ly/4fP1sjt

24/01/2026

Two babies = double the fun!👶👶

Connor and Colby were born at 26+4 weeks their birthday present was taking a helicopter from Lismore to GCUH (not for the most fun reason but they said they still enjoyed it). 🚁

Mum Bridie said they're doing so well and today is their 100-day birthday. 🥳🎈

"The staff have made the experience so much better, they're really fun," Bridie said.

"Their personalities are starting to show - Connor is the noisy one and Colby is the chill one," she said. 🤭

Fun fact: twins run in both mum and dad's family - that's one big Christmas gathering they'd have!

Happy 100 days, boys. 💖

23/01/2026

We heard from a former patient that Emergency Nurse Hayley is a five-star team member, so we had to check it out for ourselves (and we can confirm she is 5⭐).

Hayley has been an Enrolled Nurse with us for 12 years and will soon graduate as a Registered Nurse! 👩‍⚕️

"I love working in a fast-paced environment as it brings challenges and always opportunities to grow," she said.

"I love making a difference and making people smile." ❤️

And she's definitely done just that for this patient, who said Hayley always puts her patients first and her devotion and commitment to her work is evident in the incredible care she provides. 🙌

"Receiving this feedback is so rewarding, knowing my care has made a positive impact on someone’s day," she said.

We completely agree that Hayley is a massive asset to our team, and are so proud of her. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

23/01/2026

Did you know BreastScreen Qld Gold Coast Service saw over 34,600 clients last year? That’s over double the capacity of Rod Laver Arena!

Screening is recommended for women 50 to 74 who have no symptoms of breast cancer, and is available for clients from 40 years of age.

BreastScreen is a high quality, nationally accredited program, with clinics located at West Burleigh, Helensvale, Robina and Southport.

To book your appointment online visit https://bit.ly/39NvcgX or phone 13 20 50.

Queensland Government acknowledges the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the land and pays respect to Elders past, present and future.

22/01/2026

'After years of infertility and four rounds of IVF, we finally got to welcome Henry into our family.'

New parents, Jess and Aaron, said they'll be 'forever grateful' to Gold Coast University Hospital (GCUH) for the support they were given before, during and after baby Henry's birth. 🤗

While pregnant with Henry, Jess developed gestational diabetes. This affects about 5-10% of pregnancies and usually goes away after the baby is born. It happens when pregnancy hormones make it harder for the body to manage sugar, causing blood sugar levels to rise.

Due to having gestational diabetes, as well as going through IVF and some other high-risk factors, Jess had planned for an induction.

However, after 12 hours of labour, she needed an emergency C-section.

'The transition from the calm birthing room with two midwives and dull lighting with fairy lights and soft music, into the operating theatre with bright lights, about 15 medical professionals and all the beeps and sounds, could have been so overwhelming and terrifying,' Jess said.

'But at no point did anyone make it feel scary or rushed. Aaron and I felt completely safe, and it was an incredible experience.'

Jess even credits the GCUH team for helping them with those first few moments of new parenthood. 🥰

'They took their time to show Aaron how to hold his own baby as he had never held one before! They looked after not just me but both of us and we will never forget it.'

We're sure Aaron is an expert at holding bub now! Congratulations on Henry's arrival and thank you for sharing your story with us. ❤️

ℹ️ Source: Healthdirect
📷♻️ Queensland Health

20/01/2026

Helping patients avoid surgery and improve their pain – that’s what drives pharmacist Debbie Laidley every day. ✨

As a member of our Neurosurgical and Orthopaedic Physiotherapy Screening Clinic (NOPSC), Debbie is part of a multidisciplinary team that helps patients manage persistent pain.

Since 2009, this approach has improved quality of life for countless people on neuro and orthopaedic surgery waiting lists; many of the patients no longer need surgery after treatment by NOPSC.

“There is very good evidence to show that a multidisciplinary approach is the best way to manage chronic, persistent pain,” Debbie said.

“Pain management is all about the whole person – their psychological, social and biomedical presentation.”

Debbie recently celebrated the milestone of 20 years working with Gold Coast Health. Her inspiring career journey includes time working in London in the 1970s and two specialisations (oncology and analgesia).

She spent 17 years raising a family before re-sitting her pharmacy exams to return to the profession she loves.

Thank you, Debbie, for your dedication and passion for patient care! 🫶

20/01/2026

Gold Coast Health Clinical Nurse (Geriatric Emergency Department Intervention) Andrea Lancuba has spent 35 years caring for older adults.

“I’ve always loved caring for the elderly,” Andrea explained.

“The knowledge they have, their stories and experiences are just amazing.”

Starting as an Enrolled Nurse and now working in the Community Frailty Service, Andrea supports patients over 65 who present to the Emergency Department – always working towards the goal of a safe and timely return home, with the right care and support in place.

“Technology has changed dramatically since I started – from paper charts to everything being computer-based,” Andrea said.

“But what hasn’t changed is the compassion.

“Looking after people at their most vulnerable has always stayed the same.”

For Andrea, every day still brings something new.

“After all these years, I’m still learning and I still get so much joy out of keeping patients supported at home,” Andrea said.

“That’s what keeps me coming back.”

We’re lucky to have you, Andrea! Thank you for your incredible dedication and care. 💚

19/01/2026

For Art Therapist, Lani, drawing allows her to transform complex psychological experiences into colourful visual narratives.

A new exhibition at Gold Coast University Hospital (GCUH) - Diary of an Art Therapist II: A playful exploration of mental health and wellbeing - showcases Lani's work, exploring conditions such as dementia, post-traumatic stress disorder, schizophrenia and anxiety and depression.

Alongside her clinical insights, Lani’s exhibition shares aspects of her own lived experience with synaesthesia, a neurological condition in which sensory pathways cross. For Lani, this means days, numbers and words are intrinsically linked to colour.

“To a lot of people, it sounds odd, but days of the week and months all have a colour attached to them. For me, it’s a very permanent, visual and sensory sensitivity that falls on the spectrum of neurodivergent (I thought everyone was like this).”

Join us in the GCUH foyer on Wednesday 21 January, 3pm, for an artist talk where Alana will discuss the ideas behind her creative works.

You can read more about the exhibition on our website 👉 https://bit.ly/49rMKhE

18/01/2026

BreastScreen Qld at North Tamborine. 🏔🌄

The BreastScreen Queensland mobile van is screening now at the Vonda Youngman Community Centre until 5 February 2026.

The mobile visits once a year, so book in now while it’s in town.

Women aged 50 to 74 are strongly encouraged to attend, as this is the age where the evidence of screening effectiveness is strongest, and available from 40.

To book call 13 20 50 or visit www.breastscreen.qld.gov.au