Royal Adelaide Hospital

25/10/2026

Professor Mark Holmes and Professor Chien-Li Holmes-Liew were recently recognised for their work in one of medicine's most specialised fields in The Advertiser's doctor power couples series.

The clinicians, who have been together for many years and share an 11-year-old daughter, are 2 of the 3 lung transplant specialists in South Australia.

Together, they have helped advance lung transplant care around the world and shared remarkable research firsts and achievements, including a world-first in helping treat serious viral infections in transplant recipients, and zero mortality in lung transplant patients during the COVID-19 pandemic.

19/10/2026

Thanks to the Central Adelaide Local Health Network Radiation Oncology team, a highly advanced radiation therapy technique is now helping children with certain brain and spinal cancers receive more precise treatment at the Royal Adelaide Hospital.

The team has successfully delivered its first paediatric Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy (VMAT) Craniospinal Irradiation (CSI) treatments.

This specialised technique allows radiation to be delivered more precisely while reducing exposure to surrounding healthy tissue and helping to minimise side effects of the treatment.

Years of planning, testing, and collaboration made this achievement possible, and reflects the dedication of radiation oncologists, radiation therapists, medical physicists, nurses, and paediatric oncology colleagues working together to expand treatment options for children in South Australia and the Northern Territory.

Congratulations to everyone involved ❤️.

14/10/2026

From supporting diagnosis and treatment to rehabilitation and recovery, allied health and scientific professionals play an essential role in caring for consumers.

They bring expertise, compassion, and collaboration to every stage of a consumers' healthcare journey, helping them to achieve the best possible outcomes across a wide range of specialties and services.

On Allied Health and Scientific Professions Day, we're proud to celebrate these dedicated staff whose work helps make the RAH a place of world-class care, research, and learning.

Thank you for the difference you make to consumers, families, and colleagues every day 💙.

07/10/2026

The Lung Function Laboratory at the Royal Adelaide Hospital has reached 3 decades of national accreditation.

For Chief Medical Scientist of Thoracic Medicine Dr Sonya Johnston, this achievement reflects the excellent standard of service, teaching, and training of the scientific, technical, medical, admin, and nursing staff.

"This milestone shows the ongoing commitment not only of our team to high quality care, but the ongoing commitment of CALHN to safety, quality, and international best practice standards for diagnostic services like ours," she says.

Since the 1970s, the Lung Function Laboratory team have provided specialised tests that help diagnose, monitor, and guide treatment for people with lung, heart, and sleep-related conditions.

They have supported inpatients and outpatients at the RAH, as well as metropolitan and country SA.

"Maintaining accreditation takes effort and dedication but the benefits far outweigh the work involved," Dr Johnston says.

"Being an accredited laboratory provides our patients and referrers with confidence in the quality, reliability and timeliness of the service, testing and results we produce.

"I am very proud of this team and to be part of this accredited laboratory."

06/10/2026

When it comes to patient care, offering human connection is the best advice 93-year-old Pat Cuk can give.

“I feel blessed that I can make someone’s life a little better with a chat and a smile. It is an experience that benefits everyone," Pat says.

“I’m interested in people, and most people are thankful for the interaction and support.”

Since retiring from nursing at 62, Pat has volunteered for more than 3 decades at the old and new RAH.

She's a friendly and familiar face on Level 4 Cardiology where she spends her shift chatting with patients to give back to the community.

She encourages anyone looking to connect with others, learn new skills, and make a meaningful contribution to consider volunteering.

Learn more about volunteering opportunities at the RAH 👉https://www.rah.sa.gov.au/about-us/volunteering

02/10/2026

28/09/2026

Last month, Burns Unit patient Anna shared her experience after a minor accident with boiling pasta water resulted in a 5-night stay at the RAH and both legs bandaged from toe to hip.

Besides being reminded of the caution needed when handling boiling water, Anna says her experience as a patient was eye-opening.

"The team at the RAH Burns Unit are exceptional. Burns are awful - they're hard to look at/dress; they're painful beyond belief; and they're a high infection risk. The round the clock care, skill, and communication from the entire team was outstanding," she says.

"Nurses are actual angels. A senior nurse told me she stays because of the team, and this was so apparent to me in the high level of care I received. 24/7 critical care cannot be of a high standard without a highly cohesive team environment."

The RAH wishes you all the best in your recovery, Anna. Thank you for sharing your experience.

22/09/2026

A colourful initiative at the RAH is helping patients who may be vulnerable to delirium after surgery reduce stress and remain connected to their surroundings.

The Advanced Recovery Room Care (ARRC) team has developed a delirium prevention care bundle that includes non-drug strategies to help reduce factors that may contribute to delirium in high-risk patients.

In the bundle is a collection of twiddle mats that are handmade in collaboration with a local community sewing group.

The mats give patients something familiar and purposeful to focus on, which can help reduce anxiety, restlessness, and distress during recovery.

Delirium is a common but often misunderstood condition that affects 1 in 5 older people at some stage during their hospital stay.

In light of , Consultant Geriatrician and Perioperative Medicine Physician at the RAH Dr Victoria Gibson advises the community that knowledge is power.

"While delirium and dementia are often confused, understanding their differences and the link between them is important," Dr Gibson says.

"Knowing what these conditions are can help patients and families understand what is happening and make it less frightening."

21/09/2026

From a potential new treatment for brain injury, research that explores the healing power of music, to a more personalised approach to dementia care that supports both patients and carers.

This is research happening right here at the Royal Adelaide Hospital.

The recent Beyond the Microscope showcase was an opportunity for RAH researchers to share their innovative work that is improving and shaping the future of healthcare.

🧠 The Head of ICU Research and Innovation, Associate Professor Mark Plummer, presented on a potential new treatment for serious brain injury. He says donor support has been instrumental for the project.

"Thanks to the generous support of donors, we are developing a new treatment for serious brain injury right here at the RAH, with the potential to change the lives of patients and families around the world."

🫂 Head of Geriatric Services Dr Ish*ta Batta shared the importance of supporting both research participants and carers throughout their dementia healthcare journey.

“We become a part of their support system. We work with them as they plan travel around their appointments, and support them as they navigate challenging life situations.”

🎵 Senior Music Therapist Dr Patsy Tan discussed the powerful role music can play in preserving memories and celebrating life.

"When a heartbeat becomes music, a moment of life continues to beat eternally."

The research series, held by the RAH Research Fund, allows donors to listen in on how their support helps our clinicians with their discoveries, and to meet the people who drive research across the hospital.

Thank you to the researchers, donors, and staff who contributed to the insightful event and for their ongoing support of research that improves care for the CALHN community.

17/09/2026

It's a privilege to be able to care for the community during their most vulnerable moments.

At the RAH, patient safety is a commitment that drives every interaction, from diagnosis and treatment, through to recovery and ongoing care.

This , we're sharing patient experiences that highlight how communication, teamwork, and compassionate care has helped the community feel safe throughout their healthcare journey in the hospital.