Greenslopes Private Hospital Archives - Page 2 of 3

Greenslopes Stormwater Drainage Undergoes Upgrade

The Greenslopes stormwater drainage system is set to get an upgrade. The project encompasses streets around the Greenslopes Private Hospital including Denman Street, Hunter Street and Newdegate Street.

Council is undertaking an upgrade of the Greenslopes stormwater drainage which will involve replacing the existing stormwater pipes that run along the centre of Denman, Hunter and Newdegate Streets. The project will also see the upgrading of the gully that connects the stormwater in Hunter Street as well as providing connections to the existing stormwater pipes and drainage.

Sections of the road will be closed to traffic to make way for the construction which is expected to be completed by mid-April 2023.

Details of the construction works which will be conducted Monday to Friday between 7 am and 5 pm are as follows:

Denman Street, between Henry Street and Newdegate Street

This first location will have works starting on Monday 17 October and will require a full road closure. Completion of this part of the project is expected to be by end of November (weather permitting).
Residents will be able to access their property from Henry Street via traffic control during work hours.

Denman Street, between Thomas Street and Newdegate Street

Works on this section will commence in late October and are expected to be completed by early December (weather permitting).
Residents will be able to access their property from Thomas Street via traffic control during work hours.

Newdegate Street, between Denman Street and Hunter Street

Work will begin in this stage in early December 2022 and be completed by late January 2023. Work, however, will pause during the Christmas shutdown period.
This project will require single-lane closures with traffic controllers on site.

Hunter Street, between Newdegate Street and Nicholson Street

This project will start in early February 2023 and be completed by mid-April (weather permitting).
This street will be closed to traffic throughout construction. Residents will be able to access their properties via traffic control.

The Greenslopes stormwater drainage upgrade project is among the Flood Resilience Projects currently being undertaken by Brisbane City Council which has so far completed stormwater drainage upgrades on Ann Street and James Street in Fortitude Valley; Chermside and Helen Streets in Teneriffe; and Ipswich Road in Woolloongabba.

No Out-of-Pocket Costs for Participants of New Lung Cancer Program at Greenslopes Private Hospital

Photo Credit: Eddie K/Pixabay

A new program with no out-of-pocket costs aimed at supporting lung cancer patients who are undergoing both chemotherapy and radiotherapy has been launched at the Greenslopes Private Hospital and seven other Ramsay Health Care facilities.

The Ramsay Lung Cancer Rehabilitation Pilot Program is a six-month program that delivers rehabilitation, physiotherapy, and nutrition support to patients with unresectable stage 3 non-small-cell lung cancer, the most common type of lung cancer.

With support from AstraZeneca Australia & New Zealand, the program provides patients access to a Cancer Care Navigator who will work with an allied health team during chemotherapy and radiotherapy in supporting the patients when it comes to their nutrition and physiotherapy to regain their strength, mobility, and function.

Ramsay Health Plus and its facilities will provide qualified physiotherapists, exercise physiologists, and dieticians.

Greenslopes Private Hospital Ramsay Lung Cancer Rehabilitation Pilot Program — Photo Credit: Greenslopes Private Hospital

Aside from Greenslopes Private Hospital, the Ramsay Lung Cancer Rehabilitation Pilot Program is also available at St George Private Hospital, Hollywood Private Hospital, John Flynn Private Hospital, Warringal Private Hospital, Wollongong Private Hospital, Lake Macquarie Private Hospital, and The Border Cancer Hospital. AstraZeneca Australia & New Zealand will pay for any cost that will not be covered by the patient’s health insurance.

“The Ramsay Lung Cancer Rehabilitation Pilot Program will provide patients with appropriate exercise and nutrition plans to put them in the best health to undergo their cancer treatment,” Physiotherapist and National Manager of Ramsay Health Plus, Dylan Rowley, said.

“Eating well and feeling strong and fit can have a big impact on your mental health, reduce the side effects of treatment and optimise your treatment outcomes.”

Greenslopes Private Hospital Orthopaedic Surgeon Trains Future Shoulder Surgeons From Around the World

Three surgeons from around the world are set to train under Professor Ashish Gupta, a renowned orthopaedic surgeon at the Greenslopes Private Hospital who has also previously trained nine other international orthopaedic surgeons to become experts in orthopaedic shoulder surgery.

Read: Greenslopes Private Hospital Celebrates 80th Anniversary With $72-M Expansion

This comes after the Australian Shoulder Research Institute has awarded fellowships to the surgeons, who came all the way from Nepal, Lebanon, and the Netherlands.

Professor Gupta said the fellowship program aims to promote shoulder training and knowledge globally and to provide equal opportunity to orthopaedic surgeons from around the world who are interested in shoulder subspeciality training.

According to Professor Gupta, the shoulder subspeciality fellowship is a voluntary program which orthopaedic surgeons undertake to further promote their skills and education.

They have trained fellows from all over the world who have gone back to their individual countries and are working as subspeciality orthopaedic shoulder surgeons.

greenslopes — Photo credit: Greenslopes Private Hospital/Google Maps

“Over the course of the last few years, we have established an international reputation as a centre of excellence for shoulder training in Brisbane,” he said.

“The fellows come here to learn advanced skills in arthroscopic techniques along with gaining exposure to shoulder arthroplasty, especially revision shoulder arthroplasty,” Professor Gupta added.

He said the fellows were also given a phenomenal opportunity of research through the Queensland Unit for Advanced Shoulder Research for projects leading to publications.

prof gupta — Professor Gupta (Photo credit: Greenslopes Private Hospital/Facebook)

The fellowship, which is a recurring program, usually receives applications two to three years in advance.

Dr Nagmani Singh, one of his trainees who was from Nepal, said Professor Gupta’s experience and reputation is what drew him to the fellowship.

“Also, Professor Gupta’s consultation demeanour with patients is detailed and friendly and I am extremely impressed by it,” Dr Singh said.

Aside from using his new skills to treat patients in his home country, Dr Singh will also move into the role of teacher, educating future shoulder surgeons when he returns home in Nepal.

Greenslopes Private Hospital Celebrates 80th Anniversary With $72-M Expansion

Photo Credit: Greenslopes Private Hospital / Google Maps

To mark Greenslopes Private Hospital’s 80th anniversary, Ramsay Health Care hospital has unveiled a $72-million expansion, boosting the medical facility’s ability to deliver the best possible health care treatments for the best patient outcomes.

The expansion which began construction in 2020 includes a three-story infill building that houses new rooms for day surgery procedures. There are also additional operating theatres and an expanded Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

Meanwhile, the newly constructed two-storey building adds 64 private en-suite rooms across two levels whilst the existing emergency department that has been refurbished now contains an additional seven beds, offering patients more space and privacy.

Greenslopes Private Hospital CEO, Chris Went, said that with the expansion, the hospital now has “22 operating theatres, including a hybrid theatre equipped with medical imaging equipment which will allow the facility to perform both open and minimally invasive procedures.

“There is currently a high demand for inpatient beds, and with both the expansion of the emergency department and the additional operating theatres, the 64 new beds will allow us to service this increased capacity,” she said

Originally built as a military hospital, the facility currently employs about 2,500 staff and admits approximately 91,500 patients each year, contributing to almost $200 million in economic contributions annually.

“We began as a military hospital and still have strong ties to the military today. We have our wonderful Diggers Dozen, who since 1990 have dedicated so much time to volunteering to help our patients and our community,” Ms Went said.

“The Gallipoli Medical Research Foundation (GMRF) is also based at Greenslopes Private Hospital. Greenslopes Private provides in-kind support allowing them to invest every cent donated to them into supporting current and ex-serving Australia Defence Force personnel, their families and the Australian community through medical research.”

Greenslopes Private Hospital is also a world-renowned tertiary medical facility with an integrated clinical school, the Greenslopes University of Queensland Medical School.

“Greenslopes Private Hospital is Australia’s largest private teaching hospital and has been training the next generation of healthcare workers since 1970,” she said.

“While we don’t receive the same government grants as public hospitals to undertake this teaching, we feel it’s an important service we can offer our community and helps prepare us for generations to come.”

The expanded medical facility offers 694 in-patient beds, 32 speciality units, and a 24-hour Pharmacy and Emergency department.

Greenslopes Private Hospital Unveils New $3-Million Hybrid Theatre

Photo credit: https://www.greenslopesprivate.com.au/

Queensland’s largest private hospital, Greenslopes Private Hospital celebrated a new milestone with the launch of its $3-million hybrid theatre, a combined cardiac cath lab and operating theatre specifically designed for vascular surgeons and cardiology.

Read: Australian Red Cross Centre in Greenslopes Up for Demolition

The cardiac team tested the new facility in its 250th Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI), under the supervision of Cardiothoracic surgeon Dr Christopher Smith and Interventional Cardiologist Dr Karl Poon.

The TAVI procedure is a minimally invasive alternative to open-heart surgery for patients suffering from severe aortic stenosis. The narrowed aortic valve is replaced using an artificial valve delivered via a catheter placed through the femoral artery in the groin.

Dr Smith, who helped establish the TAVI program at Greenslopes Private Hospital, said TAVI is not for everyone but is an important part of the treatment modalities that they have available for severe aortic stenosis.

“Initially it was used for patients who weren’t suitable for surgery and were otherwise destined for palliative care. But the indications have now progressed and in the coming years, I am sure we will be offering TAVI to more and more patients,” he said.

Emma Neylan, Greenslopes Private Hospital’s Nurse Unit Manager of cardiac suites said the custom-built hybrid theatre is larger than a usual cath lab and allows for more specialised equipment.

“For example, we can abort a strict cath lab procedure and progress to a bypass operation without needing to switch theatres or have the patient return for surgery on another day,” Ms Neylan said.

Dr Smith shared he was so excited to be involved with the TAVI program at Greenslopes because it represents a new era in cardiac services utilising a specific ‘heart team’ approach. It’s a collaboration of the two specialities – interventional cardiology and cardiac surgery.

Greenslopes Private Hospital Oncologist Reveals New Immunotherapy for Rare Lung Cancer

An oncologist working at the Greenslopes Private Hospital has revealed that Australians now have access to new immunotherapy to manage an inoperable and malignant type of lung cancer.

Beginning 1 July 2021, patients with mesothelioma due to asbestos exposure may find treatments like Opdivo (nivolumab) and Yervoy (ipilimumab) listed via the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). Dr Keith Horwood of the Greenslopes Private Hospital said that patients may begin availing and receiving their reimbursements for these treatments.

He also said that between 700 to 800 Australians are diagnosed with mesothelioma every year, one of the highest numbers around the world. This rare but aggressive cancer has poor survival rates due to the lack of access to timely and innovative treatments thus the Australian medical community welcomes the new scheme with PBS.

The new immunotherapy helps fight cancer of the lungs by combining two medications that work differently but complementary. OPDIVO and YERVOY help the patient’s immune system and improves their life expectancy. Before the release of this immunotherapy, the five-year survival rate for mesothelioma patients was at 10 percent.

“These results build upon our decade-long legacy in treating melanoma, which began when the average life expectancy following a diagnosis of metastatic melanoma was roughly six months and less than 10% of patients survived beyond five years,” Gina Fusaro of Bristol Myers Squibb said. “With some of the longest follow-up with immunotherapies to date, Opdivo and Yervoy have consistently demonstrated durable, long-term survival benefits for patients diagnosed with advanced melanoma.”

According to experts from the Lung Foundation of Australia, mesothelioma takes 20 to 60 years to progress with most patients presenting an advanced and inoperable disease. Early diagnosis, as well as access to the medications, are crucial to improving the outcomes of patients with this type of cancer.

New Jean Pockett Cancer Wing at Greenslopes Private Hospital in Full Swing

Two months after it officially opened, the Jean Pockett cancer wing at Greenslopes Private Hospital is now full swing.

Named after wartime widow Jean Pockett, the wing is part of Greenslopes Private Hospital‘s $72 million expansion, which also features oncology and haematology services, 64 rooms and two wards.

Known for her resilience, determination, dry sense of humour, Mrs Pockett, a Coorparoo resident, was a familiar fixture at the Greenslopes Private Hospital as a volunteer for more than 40 years.

Jean Pocket with former Governor-General of Australia Quentin Bryce | Photo Credit: Supplied

Mrs Pockett founded the Gallipoli Medical Research Foundation (GMRF), which aims to study and find cures for the most devastating illnesses affecting men and women. The GMRF’s headquarters is also at the Greenslopes Private Hospital.

The widow was 96 years old when she passed away after a year of living in care. She left most of her estate to the foundation, enabling the organisation to thrive despite losing its founder.

“Jean would be looking down with a big smile on her face and I know she would be absolutely thrilled. She was a big supporter of cancer research so I think this link is very special,” GMRF Chief Executive Officer Miriam Dwyer and Mrs Pockett’s close friend said of The Jean Pockett wing.

Ms Dwyer described her friend as an institution and was regarded as royalty.

“The chef would make her favourite meals and she was definitely spoilt and if she wasn’t, she’d make sure we heard about it,” her friend said with amusement.

Ms Dwyer recalled joining Mrs Pockett for the ANZAC centenary in Gallipoli in 2015, upon the invitation of the Australian Government.

“Jean absolutely loved it. She was one of 10 war widows who were invited as guests of the Australian Government and she was the oldest at 91, so she loved all the attention.”

Mrs Jean Pockett with Gallipoli Medical Research Foundation CEO Miriam Dwyer at previous Anzac Day services at Greenslopes Private Hospital | Photo Credit: Supplied

“She was a really fabulous person and would love the fact that her legacy is continuing on at Greenslopes Private Hospital.”

Woman Successfully Conceived After Robotic Surgery At Greenslopes Private Hospital

Dr Clare Boothroyd with Atia Ali, husband Kiba Aoci, and their daughter Afsa Rahima (Photo credit: Australian Private Hospitals Association)

Atia Ali, a Logan resident, successfully conceived and gave birth to her first child after more than five years of trying multiple fertility treatments, thanks to a successful robot-assisted operation at Greenslopes Private Hospital.

The surgery, recommended by fertility specialist Dr Clare Boothroyd, involved the use of state-of-the-art da Vinci robotic surgical system to remove the painful fibroids that affect Atia’s fertility. It comes with robotic arms that hold the small surgical instruments and a small video camera, which transmits a magnified 3D video image of the uterus onto a screen.

Just four months later, Atia and her husband Kiba Aoci were surprised to learn that they were expecting and finally, on 1 February, 2021, they welcomed their daughter Afsa Rahima. Afsa, whose name means “clear mercy” in Sudanese, was born via caesarean section.

It’s the first in Greenslopes, but it’s not certainly going to be the last, because the hospital is expecting to welcome three more babies in 2021 from mothers who have had fertility surgery via the da Vinci robot.

Dr Clare Boothroyd, medical director of Care Fertility Greenslopes based onsite at Greenslopes Private Hospital (Photo credit: ivfmed.com.au)

In an interview with Australian Private Hospitals Association (APHA), Dr Boothroyd shared it’s the most exciting development in technology for gynaecological surgery throughout her career. She has over 20 years experience in both endocrinology and gynaecology and is the only one of four clinicians in Queensland to hold the prestigious Certificate of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility (CREI).

“It makes difficult surgery easier, it can reduce a patient’s length of stay and can reduce their pain, plus it can facilitate natural conception and reduce the need for IVF,” she told APHA.

An example of Da Vinci surgical system (Photo credit: davincisurgery.com)

Dr Boothroyd said the magnification of the device is good and the dexterity of the instruments allows meticulous placement of sutures which the uterus needs if it’s going to carry a pregnancy.

Greenslopes Private Hospital was the first hospital in Queensland to use the technology in December 2008 when they performed a robotic prostatectomy. Since then, it has continued to grow and is now used in other specialties including gynecology and general surgery. This year will mark the 13-year anniversary of the use of robotic surgery at Greenslopes Private Hospital.

Greenslopes Private Hospital’s Expansion Gets Underway

Greenslopes Private Hospital’s $72-million expansion and redevelopment is now underway. The expansion will provide medical care and service that will cater to the increasing demand for healthcare needs.

Greenslopes Private Hospital has provided healthcare needs for numerous patients since it started operating in 1942, as the 112th Australian General Hospital during World War II years. This 78-year-old heritage-listed site has commenced with its expansion and redevelopment worth $72 million – one of the hospital’s largest redevelopments — with the project expected to be completed by December 2021.

The redevelopment involves the construction of a three-storey infill building, to be located next to the existing administration area, which will expand the existing services with more bed numbers and increasing the hospital’s capacity to cater for future growth in day surgery procedures, including some cosmetic and plastic cases, theatre cases and expanded intensive care unit.

Photo credit: Greenslopes Private Hospital / Facebook

Level one of the expansion will include three new rooms for day surgery procedures, including some plastic and cosmetic cases. There will also be a shell room for future expansion whilst the existing day surgery recovery area will be refurbished to improve the admission and discharge experience for patients.  

Level two will see an expansion of the intensive care (ICU) unit, adding two new beds along with space to cater for five new ICU beds in the future. Level three will have the total number of operating theatres (OT) increased to 22 with the addition of three new theatres. Also, a room will be allocated for a fourth OT feature to be constructed in the future.

Moreover, one of the existing OTs will be converted into a hybrid theatre; a surgical theatre equipped with medical imaging equipment, enabling both open and minimally invasive procedures. 

“This work will take Greenslopes Private Hospital into the future with the ability to grow and maintain an environment which will provide a positive experience for all in our community,” Hospital CEO, Chris Went said.

“There is currently a high demand for inpatient beds, and with both the expansion of the emergency department and the additional operating theatres, the new beds will allow us to service this increased capacity.”  

Also included in the expansion is the second building comprising 64 private en suite rooms over two levels that will be constructed on the southern side of the Greenslopes Private Hospital.

The emergency department of the hospital will also undergo refurbishment – adding seven new bays providing patients more access to the healthcare workers. The expansion in the emergency department also offers additional rooms for medical imaging services.

About Greenslopes Private Hospital

Greenslopes Private Hospital is the largest private teaching hospital in Australia, operated by Ramsay Health Care and is renowned as a world-class tertiary medical facility.

Greenslopes Private Hospital has one of Brisbane’s largest private emergency centres with expertise in handling cardiac cases, stroke patients and people with sporting injuries. Greenslopes Private Hospital was awarded as Australia’s Best Private Hospital in 1999 and the Australian Private Hospital Association’s Hospital Quality of Excellence Award in 2004.

Greenslopes Maternity Celebrates Fifth Year with Their ‘First Borns’

Photo Credit: Greenslopes Maternity Facebook

Greenslopes Private Hospital opened its maternity service five years ago, in February 2013. The hospital has since provided hotel-style facilities through its 26 luxurious single private rooms, all built for the utmost comfort of mothers and newborns.

Greenslopes Maternity, in celebration of their fifth anniversary, recently invited their “first borns” — the first babies born on 26th February for each year that has passed since the maternity service started in 2013.

The staff at the hospital – doctors, midwives, and nurses – had an afternoon tea party with 5-year-old Mia, 4-year-old Lachlan, 3-year-old Isla, and 2-year-old Ava and their parents to celebrate the maternity’s anniversary and the children’s birthdays as well.

“Thank you to Mia (5 years old), Lachlan (4 years old), Isla (3 years old) and Ava (2 years old) for coming along with your mums and dads to say hello and celebrate your birthdays! We were so excited to see midwives, nurses, obstetricians, chaplain & executive staff – thank you for helping to make Greenslopes Maternity wonderful,” Greenslopes said in its announcement.

This year saw more than 5,000 babies born at Greenslopes Maternity within the five years since its opening.

Patrick Deane, a baby born on 7th of February, became the 5,000th baby born at the Greenslopes Maternity. Obstetrician Dr Melissa McKenzie said it was an honour to be involved in the milestone moment.

Baby Patrick Deane and his parents Credit: Greenslopes Maternity Facebook

“It’s a privilege to care for every family who sees me during their pregnancy journey and it’s always an incredibly special time when any baby is born,” Dr McKenzie said.

“I love being a part of the Greenslopes Maternity team. It’s a team which offers the highest standard of care whilst also keeping the service personalised and friendly. I continue to look forward to caring for my patients and being there for future landmarks at Greenslopes!” the doctor added.