http://www.mackay.health.qld.gov.au/

Mackay Hospital and Health Service, 475 Bridge Road, Mackay (2026)

14/08/2026

Congratulations to the seven trainees who have graduated from the Big Dreams, Small Steps program and achieved milestones of both personal and professional growth. ⭐

At the graduation ceremony at Mackay Base Hospital recently, the students were recognised for their courage, consistent effort and perseverance to achieve their Certificate III in Health Services Assistant or Allied Health Assistant.

Mackay Hospital and Health Service (HHS) Chief Executive Sean Birgan said the organisation was proud to support students in reaching their potential and that their perspectives and strengths were vital to the next generation workforce.

Reflecting on his own journey after graduating as a student nurse 42 years ago in Brisbane he suggested that big dreams always started with small steps.

“My role as the now Chief Executive is proof of that,” he said.

“You should celebrate your achievements, your commitment and potential – your experiences, your strength and your perspectives are vital to our future healthcare workforce.

“You have the opportunity now to build on what you have learnt here and I’d encourage you to always stay curious as you pursue your dreams.”

Executive Director Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Kerry Maley also congratulated the students on their commitment and dedication and that their cultural knowledge and lived experience was an opportunity to empower others to help achieve health equity.

“Today’s graduates are tomorrow’s health workers,” she said.

Congratulations to the graduates:

🧑🏻‍🎓 Lacey Bloye (Cert 3 in Health Services Assistant)
🧑🏻‍🎓 Jordy Bird (Cert 3 in Allied Health Assistant)
🧑🏻‍🎓 Attisen Thurgood (Cert 3 in Allied Health Assistant)
🧑🏻‍🎓 Bindi Nongsra (Cert 3 Health Services Assistant)
🧑🏻‍🎓 Hannah Evans-Smart (Cert 3 Health Services Assistant)
🧑🏻‍🎓 Danielle Stockton (Cert 3Health Services Assistant)
🧑🏻‍🎓 Tahlia Tindall (Cert 3 Health Services Assistant)

13/08/2026

As four-year-old Lavenia Uluakiola rang the bell at Mackay Base Hospital today, her twin sister Ella was by her side. And there was plenty to celebrate: two brave, beautiful little girls, an incredibly resilient family and a new chapter filled with hope.🔔🥳🩷

13/08/2026

Four-year-old Lavenia Uluakiola rang the bell at Mackay Base Hospital today, celebrating the end of her treatment for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia. 🔔🥳

After countless rounds of treatment, painful procedures and trips between Mackay and Brisbane, Lavenia has reached an incredible milestone. But today’s celebration was bittersweet, with her identical twin sister Ella still undergoing treatment for the same disease.

The sisters’ extraordinary journey began in 2024, when Lavenia was diagnosed with the fast-growing blood cancer. Almost a year later, just weeks before the anniversary of Lavenia’s diagnosis, the family received another devastating blow. Ella had also developed leukaemia.

Although she faces another 12 months of treatment herself, Ella was right by Lavenia’s side today, excited to share in her sister’s special moment, and her cake. 🎂🎈

Mackay Base Hospital paediatric oncology clinical nurse consultant Trista Simpson said staff were in awe of Lavenia and her family’s resilience.

“Through it all she has remained her cheeky, funny and beautiful self,” Trista said.

Lavenia’s parents, Anna-Marie Burki and Michael Uluakiola, thanked the Mackay Base Hospital team for their “endless efforts” and support over the past two years.

For Lavenia, today signalled the end of a long and difficult chapter and a moment her family had been dreaming of since her diagnosis. But the celebration was also a reminder that their journey is not yet over.

With Ella still undergoing treatment, the family will continue to make the familiar trips to hospital and face the challenges that come with treatment.

Today was the first milestone. As Lavenia rang the bell with her twin sister by her side, there was plenty to celebrate: two brave, beautiful little girls, an incredibly resilient family and a new chapter filled with hope. 🩷🩷

12/08/2026

🏥 Mackay Base Hospital will soon undergo its biggest expansion in over a decade, providing more inpatient beds, car parking and access to services.

The Mackay Base Hospital 15-year strategic master plan sets out a clear vision to progressively expand and enhance the hospital’s services to meet the changing needs of the Mackay, Isaac and Whitsunday communities.

The master plan details a staged approach that includes new buildings, more car parking for patients, visitors and staff, as well as expansion and refurbishment of current buildings and services.

This approach allows us to prioritise key clinical areas, plan carefully around our existing operations and deliver infrastructure projects while continuing to provide care to our community.

Stage 1a includes:

✅ New clinical services building
✅ 128 new inpatient beds
✅ New multi-storey staff car park
✅ Expanded Emergency Department, operating theatres and sterilisation services
✅ New Mackay Birth Centre
✅ Expanded back-of-house services

Expanding the hospital’s footprint will not only increase our capacity, it will also provide our staff the facilities and resources they need to deliver care and support the health and wellbeing of our community for years to come.

Main construction works on stage 1a projects are expected to commence in 2027, following completion of detailed design and contractor procurement, with stage 1A inclusions forecast to be delivered in by 2030.

Read more about the master plan here: https://www.mackay.health.qld.gov.au/hospitals-and-health-centres/mackay-base-hospital/mackay-base-hospital-expansion

11/08/2026

More hospital beds, expanded services, and improved access are on the way for the Mackay region. 🏥

The Mackay Hospital Expansion has reached an important milestone with the completion of its updated master plan, setting out how the hospital campus will grow to meet the needs of the community for years to come.

After almost 20 years with Queensland Health, including 16 years at Mackay Base Hospital, Principal Project Officer Kayla is proud to be helping shape the future of healthcare for her local community.

'We're working closely with our clinicians, support staff and services across the hospital to make sure the expansion is designed to meet the needs of our community for many years to come,' Kayla said.

Main construction works will commence in 2027, with all Stage 1 packages to be delivered by 2030, which includes:
✔️ At least 128 new overnight beds
✔️ Expanded emergency, surgical and endoscopy services
✔️ New maternity, birthing and women's health unit
✔️ Enhanced paediatric and neonatal services
✔️ More than 1,000 new car parks
✔️ A rooftop helipad.

Kayla said while much of the work is happening behind the scenes, the community will soon begin to see visible progress, including the opening of the temporary fleet car park and the return of the rescue helicopter landing back at Mackay Base Hospital.

'I'm excited to be part of a project that will help build a hospital our community can grow into and continue delivering the best care for our patients.'

The investment extends beyond the main hospital campus, with planning underway for a new Ambulatory Care Centre and additional capacity at Sarina Hospital.

Refurbishment works are already underway at the old Sarina Hospital to add 17 new beds in a transitional care facility. Another 17 beds will also be added as part of a modular sub-acute inpatient unit, bringing the total number of new beds to 34 and increasing capacity across the Mackay Hospital and Health Service network of hospitals.

With early works now complete, the Mackay Hospital Expansion is moving into its next phase, with main construction expected to begin in 2027. Stage 1 is expected to be completed in 2030.

This milestone is another step towards delivering modern healthcare facilities that will support the growing community now and into the future. 🙌

10/08/2026

Enormous congratulations to Bowen Hospital trainee Cassius McLeod, who has been recognised for his outstanding achievement as an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander student in Queensland's Vocational Education and Training (VET) sector.

A trainee with the Big Dreams Small Steps program, the Year 12 Proserpine State
High School student won his category at the North Queensland Training Awards in Townsville on 31 July.

As a regional winner, Cassius will now represent North Queensland at the Queensland Training Awards state finals in Brisbane on 19 September.

Cassius is completing a Certificate III in Health Services Assistance with Bowen Hospital, where he has earned the respect and admiration of staff and patients.

A proud First Nations student, one of his mentors described him as "hardworking, driven and committed", saying he is laying "strong foundations for a rewarding career in healthcare".

Congratulations, Cassius, and best of luck to you in the state finals! 🏆

07/08/2026

Little Cade is already proving quite a handful. 👶🏻

His proud parents, Strathdickie couple Brenton Mansfield and Melissa Lamont, were told early on in their second pregnancy that their baby was already measuring larger than average.

But when Cade was born at 38 weeks and five days, weighing 5.35kg (11lb 12.8oz) and measuring 56cm long, they admit they were still somewhat surprised!

Cade is one of, if not the biggest, baby born at Proserpine Hospital’s maternity unit.

“We knew from around the 20-week ultrasound that he was measuring large and in the 98th percentile, so we had an idea he was going to be a big baby,” Melissa said.

“Even though we were told for most of my pregnancy that he was likely to be a big boy, it was still a surprise to see just how big he was when he arrived.

“At the end of the day, the most important thing to us is that he was born safe and healthy.”

Cade was delivered by caesarean section at Prosperine Hospital on 14 July at 3.16am after Melissa went into labour at 6pm the night before.

Melissa, who said she was nauseous throughout most of the pregnancy, said Cade was settling in well and was adjusting to life as a ‘little’ brother to Harris in the family of four.

She described her experience and Cade’s birth at Proserpine Hospital as “amazing”.

“Everyone was very accommodating and provided excellent care for our whole family,” Melissa said.

“We highly recommend the Proserpine Maternity team.”

Congratulations on the arrival of your gorgeous baby boy Cade and well done to the Proserpine maternity team. 💙

05/08/2026

Thinking about a career in healthcare? 🩺

Come and say hello to the Mackay Hospital and Health Service (HHS) team at the Mackay Career Expo today! 👋

Whether you're a student exploring your future or even thinking about a career change, discover the wide range of rewarding healthcare careers on offer across our region.

📍 Mackay Showgrounds
🕘 9am–2pm

We'd love to see you there.

05/08/2026

Meet post-grad nurses Tara and PJ, two of the 176 new clinical staff who have commenced work with the Mackay Hospital and Health Service (HHS) since late 2024.

Tara is a born and bred Mackay local, who studied at Holy Spirit College and James Cook University and is now working at Mackay Base Hospital in the orthopaedic and rehabilitation ward.

PJ and her husband have just moved their four children north from Gympie after she finished studying nursing at the University of the Sunshine Coast. She became interested in nursing when her five-year-old son was diagnosed with diabetes.

Both are very excited to start their post-grad nursing journey here at Mackay Base Hospital and are looking forward to long and varied careers caring for our community.

This year we’ve had four intakes of post-graduates, most recently 10 new nurses in July and nine in May. This is in addition to the 67 new nurse grads who started with Mackay HHS in February and March.

These post-grad nurses are now working in our ED, renal, surgical, medical and oncology units as well as on wards at Mackay Base Hospital and in our rural facilities.

Almost 300 people have been employed at Mackay HHS since the end of 2024, including 110 nurses, 28 doctors and 38 allied staff.

Mackay HHS Chief Executive Sean Birgan (pictured with Tara and PJ) said more health professionals means more people in our communities can access the care they need, when and where they need it. Workforce growth remains critical as we respond to increasing demand in rural areas and from a growing and ageing population.

Welcome to the Mackay HHS Tara and PJ! We’re so pleased you’re here. 💙🩺

04/08/2026

Did you know that nearly 300 staff have taken up positions at Mackay Hospital and Health Service (HHS) in the last 18 months?

That is 176 new clinical staff including 110 nurses 28 doctors and 38 allied health professionals. There’s also been 94 non-clinical staff employed including 62 in administration and 28 operational staff.

This is a welcome boost to teams who are delivering compassionate, public health care right across the Mackay region including at many of our rural facilities like Proserpine, Bowen, Moranbah, Collinsville, Dysart, Sarina and Clermont.

Right now we have more than 40 positions available, so whether you are starting your career or looking for the next challenge, there are many opportunities available across the region.

📌 Refrigeration mechanic, Mackay
https://apply-springboard.health.qld.gov.au/jobs/QLD-688733

📌 Cyber Awareness and engagement officer, Mackay
https://apply-springboard.health.qld.gov.au/jobs/QLD-688371

📌 Administration officer, BreastScreen Mackay
https://apply-springboard.health.qld.gov.au/jobs/QLD-688943

📌Oral health dental therapist, Mackay
https://apply-springboard.health.qld.gov.au/jobs/QLD-685438-OP

📌 GP Rural Generalist, Proserpine
https://apply-springboard.health.qld.gov.au/jobs/QLD-MK688727

📌 Principal House Officer Emergency, Mackay
https://apply-springboard.health.qld.gov.au/jobtools/jncustomsearch.viewFullSingle?in_organid=15550&in_jnCounter=223156314

📌 Mental Health clinicians, Mackay, Proserpine and Moranbah
https://apply-springboard.health.qld.gov.au/jobs/QLD-688956
https://apply-springboard.health.qld.gov.au/jobs/QLD-688622
https://apply-springboard.health.qld.gov.au/jobs/QLD-689044

📌 Clinical nurse consultant (Endoscopy & CSSD), Mackay
https://apply-springboard.health.qld.gov.au/jobtools/JnCustomLogin.Login?in_organid=15550

📌 Registered nurse, Emergency Department, Mackay
https://apply-springboard.health.qld.gov.au/jobs/QLD-687116

📌 Enrolled nurses, various locations
https://apply-springboard.health.qld.gov.au/jobs/QLD-573065

Mackay Hospital and Health Service

14/08/2026

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12/08/2026

11/08/2026

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