St Stephen's Hospital

31/08/2026

⭐ Don't miss our upcoming GP education dinner: What's New in Ophthalmology? A Practical Update for General Practice

GPs based in Wide Bay are invited to join Ophthalmologist Dr John-Paul Blanc as he shares expert insights into what has changed in ophthalmology, referral pathways and practice management, and making sense of the ophthalmology letter.

This is a valuable opportunity to expand your clinical knowledge, discuss referral pathways and connect with fellow GPs from across the region.

📅 Tuesday, 22 September 2026
📍 St Stephen's Hospital, Hervey Bay
✅ 2 hours RACGP CPD
✅ Complimentary dinner and onsite parking
✅ Free for GPs

Places are limited and registrations are filling quickly.

👉 This event is exclusive to GPs. Secure your seat today: https://bit.ly/4cVAl6M

28/08/2026

A big congratulations to our June VIP Award winners, Volunteer Karen and Clinical Nurse Stephanie! 🙌

Karen was recognised for her dedication and positivity as a Trolley Volunteer, bringing comfort, conversation, and exceptional service to patients while generously giving her time each week despite her ongoing work commitments.

Her nomination said: "Karen does all the ordering and restocking of the trolley. She takes it around all wards and stops to have a chat with the patients. Even though Karen still has a paid job, she always makes the time to come in to St Stephen's every week to provide this service for patients. She's always happy and smiling, and we appreciate everything that she does." 👏

Stephanie was recognised for consistently demonstrating compassion, respect, advocacy, teamwork and a commitment to learning while delivering exceptional patient-centred care and supporting both colleagues and patients on Alston Ward.

Her nomination said: "Stephanie consistently delivers care with genuine compassion, ensuring that each patient feels heard, valued, and supported throughout their healthcare journey. She takes the time to engage meaningfully with patients and their families, demonstrating empathy and kindness, particularly in challenging or vulnerable situations." 👏

Our staff VIP Awards recognise team members who go above and beyond to put our Values into Practice. Recipients are chosen by their colleagues for their outstanding contributions to make St Stephen’s Hospital not only an exceptional place to be cared for but also a great place to work. 💙

St Stephen's Hospital is proudly part of UnitingCare.

27/08/2026

🙏 Thank you to everyone who joined us for our recent GP education dinner on Prostate Cancer: Urology and Radiation Oncology.

We were delighted to welcome 22 local GPs to St Stephen's Hospital for an evening of learning, collaboration and networking focused on the latest updates in urology and radiation oncology for prostate cancer.

Thank you to Dr Amila Siriwardana and Dr James Mackean for sharing their expertise and providing valuable clinical insights to support patient care across our region.

Events like these strengthen connections between primary care and specialist services, helping us work together to deliver the best possible outcomes for our patients.

We appreciate everyone who attended and look forward to welcoming you to another St Stephen's Hospital GP education event soon. Visit our website to view upcoming events: https://bit.ly/4ciii7O

25/08/2026

Last week, staff across St Stephen’s Hospital proudly wore yellow in recognition of Daffodil Day and to show support for people affected by cancer. The day created a wonderful sense of community, bringing colour, positivity and hope to our wards and beyond. From bright yellow outfits to shared conversations over cupcakes, the day served as a reminder of the strength and compassion that exists within our hospital family.

A big thank you to the Forbes Oncology team for organising a fundraiser and to everyone who participated. The team sold 96 home-made cupcakes with proceeds going to Cancer Council Queensland to help fund vital cancer research, prevention programs and support services.

Together, we demonstrated that even small acts of support can have a meaningful impact in the lives of people affected by cancer. 💛

25/08/2026

⭐ Join us for a GP update on treating bowel cancer.

GPs based in Wide Bay are invited to an exclusive education dinner at St Stephen's Hospital, featuring the latest surgical and medical oncology insights in treating bowel cancer.

Hear from experienced specialists, connect with colleagues and gain practical knowledge to support patient care in your practice.

✅ 2 hours RACGP CPD
✅ Complimentary dinner and networking drinks
✅ Free onsite parking
✅ Free for GPs to attend

📆 Tuesday, 15 September 2026
📍 Jean Freeman Room, St Stephen's Hospital, Hervey Bay
🕠 Networking drinks and dinner from 5.30pm
🎤 Presentations commence at 6pm

👉 Register now to secure your place: https://bit.ly/4ztEGbb

21/08/2026

Yesterday was Thank an Orderly Day, and our Executive Team took the opportunity to personally thank our dedicated ward and theatre orderlies for the incredible contribution they make every day across St Stephen's Hospital.

As a small token of appreciation, they were treated to a well-deserved afternoon tea of delicious chocolate chip and jam drop cookies!

Often working behind the scenes, our orderlies play a vital role in supporting patient care, assisting clinical teams, and helping the hospital run smoothly. Their professionalism, teamwork and willingness to help wherever needed make a real difference to both patients and staff.

Thank you to all our orderlies for your hard work, dedication, and the care you bring to your role each day. We are grateful for everything you do and proud to celebrate and recognise your contribution to our hospital community. 🙏

18/08/2026

🙏 A huge THANK YOU to our incredible speaker, local GPs, and dedicated staff for making our latest GP education event a success!

This month we gained expert insights from Orthopaedic Surgeon Dr Andrew McGee, on considerations for GPs associated with shoulder and knee arthroscopy.

🎤 Special thanks to our Acting General Manager, Jonathan Leijen, who chaired the session.

The next GP evening, on Urology and Radiation Oncology, will be held on 20 August. Visit our website to view all upcoming events: https://bit.ly/4ciii7O

14/08/2026

Nominations are now open for the Moderator's Community Service Medal, which recognises outstanding volunteers from across UnitingCare, Wesley Mission Qld and the Uniting Church Queensland.

Now is the perfect opportunity to acknowledge their impact and celebrate their service. Nominate a volunteer here: https://myuniting.care/4i01rtK

Thank you for helping us shine a light on the incredible volunteers who strengthen our hospital communities every day. 🧡

Behind every thriving community are volunteers whose kindness, generosity and dedication help people feel supported, connected and cared for.

That's why we're proud to open nominations for the Moderator's Community Service Medal, recognising outstanding volunteers from the Uniting Church and its agencies who have made an exceptional contribution to the lives of others.

If there's a volunteer who has made a real difference in your community, we encourage you to nominate them and help celebrate their remarkable service.

✍️ Click here to nominate: https://myuniting.care/4i01rtK

📅 Nominations close 21 September 2026

12/08/2026

Small changes in nutrition can make a big difference!

At St Stephen’s Hospital, our dietitians support adults to improve their health, recovery and overall wellbeing through a personalised approach to nutrition.

Whether patients are managing a chronic condition, preparing for surgery or simply needing guidance to reach healthier goals, our dietitians work one on one to provide practical, achievable nutritional support.

We can help with:

✔️ Healthy weight management
✔️ Diabetes and metabolic conditions
✔️ Digestive and gut health
✔️ Bone health and osteoporosis risk
✔️ Pre- and post-surgery nutrition, including bariatric surgery

✨ Appointments available weekly
✨ Minimal wait times - many patients seen within 24 hours
✨ Private health, HICAPS and DVA supported

Patients can ask their GP or specialist for a referral to access our outpatient dietitian service.

Supporting better health, one step at a time.

12/08/2026

⭐ Don't miss our upcoming GP education dinner on Prostate Cancer: Urology and Radiation Oncology.

GPs based in Wide Bay are invited to join Urologist Dr Amila Siriwardana and Radiation Oncologist Dr James Mackean as they share expert insights into the latest developments in urology and radiation oncology for prostate cancer.

This is a valuable opportunity to hear directly from specialists, expand your clinical knowledge, discuss referral pathways and connect with fellow GPs from across the region.

📅 Thursday, 20 August 2026
📍 St Stephen's Hospital, Hervey Bay
✅ 2 hours RACGP CPD
✅ Complimentary dinner and networking
✅ Free for GPs

Places are limited and registrations are filling quickly.

👉 This event is exclusive to GPs. Secure your seat today: https://bit.ly/4wklVVF