Redcliffe Hospital Archives

Redcliffe Community Raises More Than $225,000 For Hospital’s Palliative Care Unit

A penny farthing bicycle, a sell-out bake sale and a live radio broadcast were among the highlights as Raise it for Redcliffe Hospital‘s sixth Giving Day exceeded expectations, with the community and local businesses raising more than $225,000 for the Palliative Care Unit.

The result pushes the total raised since the program began in 2021 past $1.3 million — enough to have funded more than 80 individual projects across the hospital.

Projects making a difference

The range is wider than most donors might expect.

A refurbished playroom in the Paediatric Ward sits alongside funded research projects with implications for patients well beyond Redcliffe.

*Photo Credit: Raise it for Redcliffe Hospital*

Staff wellbeing activities, a courtyard and lounge area in the Palliative Care Unit, and a new family-friendly play space have all come through Raise it for Redcliffe support.

Hospital Executive Director Cang Dang said the day’s focus on palliative care was intentional.

“Raise it for Redcliffe support has already helped us to refurbish a courtyard and lounge area, and provide for a new family-friendly play space,” Dang said. “That community support, combined with staff enthusiasm, has made Raise it for Redcliffe and Giving Day the success that it has been.”

A day of community support

Director of Research Dr Joel Dulhunty rode a penny farthing bicycle across the bridge to the hospital — a crowd-pleasing tradition that delights patients, staff and visitors in equal measure. The Allied Health teams’ bake sale sold out, as it always does.

Bridge FM broadcast live from the hospital throughout the day, extending the reach of the event to the wider Redcliffe Peninsula.

Cang paid tribute to the late Ray Kerr, former Bridge FM station manager, whose deep commitment to Raise it for Redcliffe over many years left a lasting legacy on the event.

Turning community support into action

Raise it for Redcliffe Hospital is a partnership between Redcliffe Hospital and the RBWH Foundation, established in 2021 to give the Redcliffe Peninsula community a direct way to invest in their local hospital.

Donations fund equipment, research, patient comfort improvements and staff support — filling the gaps that standard healthcare funding doesn’t reach.

To donate or find out more, visit raiseitforredcliffe.com.au

Published 10-July-2026

Inside Redcliffe Hospital’s Faster FibroScan Pathway

Photo Credit: Metro North Health

For many patients referred to Redcliffe Hospital after an abnormal blood test, the path to understanding their liver health now begins with a painless 10-minute scan and continues moments later in the consultant’s room.

Clinical Nurse Consultant Phoebe Lodge conducts the FibroScan before the patient meets with a medical consultant. During the procedure, the patient generally feels only a small pulse between the ribs as the machine measures the liver.

The result is available immediately.

By the time the patient enters the next room, the specialist has information that can guide the discussion about further investigation or treatment. The process brings scanning and consultation into the same visit, reducing the number of appointments required before clinical decisions can be made.

A Different Way To Assess The Liver

About 850 patients have benefited from the FibroScan technology since it was introduced at Redcliffe Hospital.

The ultrasound-based device measures liver stiffness and steatosis, the medical term for liver fat. Its readings can indicate possible scarring or advanced fibrosis and help clinicians assess the extent of liver disease.

While radiology imaging provides information about what the liver looks like, FibroScan measures characteristics that help clinicians understand its stiffness and fat content.

The procedure is used as a practical first-line alternative to liver biopsy when assessing liver disease. It is non-invasive, painless and completed in about 10 minutes, although other investigations may still be required depending on the patient’s circumstances.

Lodge played a key role in securing the machine for Redcliffe Hospital and works primarily in the early diagnosis of liver disease.

FibroScan machine used for non-invasive liver assessment — *Photo Credit: Metro North Health/Facebook*

Redcliffe Liver Care Meets Growing Demand

The technology has become part of a hepatology service facing continued growth in referrals.

Close to 20 new patients attend the clinic each fortnight, and Saturday clinics have recently been conducted to help manage demand.

Fatty liver disease accounts for many of the patients seen by the service. The clinic says the condition now affects one in three people and is often associated with diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol.

Other patients are assessed for hepatitis B, hepatitis C, autoimmune hepatitis or the cause of an abnormal blood test. Most enter the clinic after being referred by their GP.

Lodge’s work also contributes to efforts towards the global goal of eliminating hepatitis C as a threat by 2030.

Specialist Care Without Leaving The Area

Before the Redcliffe Hospital hepatology service expanded, patients had access to only one clinician locally. The nearest alternative public service was based at The Prince Charles Hospital.

The additional clinics increased access to specialist liver care in Redcliffe. FibroScan has added another step to that change by allowing patients to receive an assessment immediately before their medical consultation.

Rather than separating the scan, results and specialist discussion across different appointments, the clinic can move through those stages during one visit. Patients receive their results sooner, while clinicians can make decisions about the next stage of care without waiting for a later appointment.

The hepatology clinic at Redcliffe Hospital operates as a referral-only service. Patients seeking assessment are advised to speak with their GP.

Published 9-July-2026

Redcliffe Hospital Expansion To Bring More Parking, Beds And Services

Photo Credit: QLD Gov

Redcliffe Hospital is set for a more visible period of construction as work ramps up on a $1.1 billion expansion that will reshape parts of the Anzac Avenue campus and increase healthcare capacity for the growing Moreton Bay region.

Construction To Become More Visible At Redcliffe Hospital

Early works are underway on a $36 million upgrade of the hospital’s existing multi-storey car park, with construction activity expected to increase in the coming weeks.

The upgrade will add more than 530 parking spaces through a three-level extension, including disability parking bays and motorcycle parking bays. Richard Crooks Construction is expected to begin main works on the car park in July, with completion expected by the end of 2027.

The car park expansion is aimed at meeting current and future parking demand at the hospital campus, where growth in local health services is expected to place further pressure on access and movement around the site.

More Beds And Clinical Services For Redcliffe

Beyond the car park, the wider Redcliffe Hospital expansion will deliver at least 210 new overnight beds. The first beds are expected from late 2027, with full completion expected in 2032.

The redevelopment also includes expanded maternity, endoscopy and operating theatre services. The hospital’s re-design went to tender in March, with a construction partner for the main hospital works expected to be appointed in coming months.

The project is also focused on better use of the site, improved service delivery and design that supports the safety of nurses, doctors and healthcare workers.

Growing Demand Across Moreton Bay

Redcliffe Hospital serves the Redcliffe peninsula and nearby suburbs including Deception Bay, North Lakes, Murrumba Downs, Kallangur and Brighton.

Its catchment currently covers about 190,000 residents, with that population expected to reach 275,000 by 2046. The wider Moreton Bay region is home to more than half a million people, making the hospital a key health facility for one of Queensland’s fastest-growing areas.

The expansion is intended to increase clinical capacity and support more care closer to home as demand continues to rise across the region.

car park expansion — *Photo Credit: QLD Gov*

Several early works have already been completed across the hospital campus, including modular office accommodation, pedestrian and shuttle bus pathways, Recreation Street pathway works, new logistics pathways, a new Pharmacy Store and Confidential Waste works.

The hospital is located on the traditional lands of the Kabi Kabi people. The expansion is planned to avoid impact to the culturally significant tree on site.

As the car park works become more visible, the Redcliffe Hospital expansion is moving from planning and early works into a stage residents are more likely to notice on the ground. The larger changes will unfold over several years, with new beds, expanded services and additional parking forming the core of the hospital’s long-term upgrade.

Published 20-May-2026

A Redcliffe Daughter Returns to Mark a Moment 25 Years in the Making

Kerri-Anne Dooley/Facebook

Redcliffe Hospital‘s palliative care unit has officially opened its refurbished lounge, garden courtyard and children’s play area, completing a transformation funded by the Moreton Bay community and delivering the kind of spaces that make an unbearable time feel, even briefly, a little more like home.

The opening drew together a gathering that reflected what the project is really about: supporters, patient ambassadors, hospital staff, community partners and families who have lived through the unit’s care. Among them was Karen Wilson, who returned to the unit for the first time since saying goodbye to her father Derek there, 25 years ago.

“Like so many families, we entered the world of palliative care with uncertainty, fear and grief,” Karen said. “But what we found here was something extraordinary. Not just a place with walls and equipment, but one where kindness, compassion, dignity and respect truly matter.”

A Garden That Brought Someone Back

Karen has since become a passionate Raise it for Redcliffe Hospital supporter, and it was her father’s love of the outdoors that made the courtyard project particularly meaningful. “Dad always loved his garden. Some of my most special memories are sitting outside together, sharing stories and laughter,” she said. “These spaces matter more than words express.”

The refurbishment encompasses the unit’s lounge, an outdoor garden courtyard and a dedicated children’s play area. Together these spaces give patients and their families somewhere to gather, breathe, and spend time together that does not feel like a clinical setting. For a unit that cares for around 600 patients and their families each year, the cumulative effect of that shift in environment is significant.

Redcliffe Hospital's refurbished palliative care lounge, courtyard and children's play area have officially opened, funded by the Moreton Bay community through Raise it for Redcliffe Hospital. — *Photo Credit: Kerri-Anne Dooley/Facebook*

Palliative Care Nurse Unit Manager Kim Shesgreen, who has worked with Moreton Bay families for 25 years, put it simply. “Sometimes people want to be at home and that’s not always possible. So being able to create a space that feels more like home, even for a short time, is incredibly important,” she said. “The changes have made a real difference. They’ve created warm, welcoming spaces where families spend time together and even for a moment, not feel they’re in a hospital.”

Built by the Community, for the Community

The project is the latest achievement of Raise it for Redcliffe Hospital, an initiative of the RBWH Foundation that has raised more than $1 million for the hospital since launching in 2021. The initiative funds a range of hospital projects through its annual Giving Day, with every donation matched by community Impact Partners. A previous round of fundraising transformed the hospital’s Rehabilitation and Stroke Unit, and the palliative care refurbishment has been the focus of multiple campaigns since.

Redcliffe Hospital is an approximately 250-bed regional hospital that has been caring for its community since the 1960s, providing services including medical, surgical, cancer care, maternity, palliative care, paediatrics and emergency care. The RBWH Foundation’s partnership with the hospital through Raise it for Redcliffe allows the community to fund projects that fall outside the scope of standard government healthcare budgets, adding the kind of human touches that formal funding rarely reaches.

Redcliffe Hospital Executive Director Cang Dang described palliative care as one of the most important services any hospital provides. “They support patients and families through a very difficult and challenging journey, but it’s a time when families come together, say goodbye and recognise what matters most,” he said. “This project has only been possible through the goodwill, generosity and support of our community and Raise it for Redcliffe Hospital partners. We are incredibly grateful.”

At the opening, guests received a symbolic butterfly, chosen to represent remembrance, comfort and the ongoing care these new spaces will provide to future families.

How to Keep the Work Going

The next Raise it for Redcliffe Hospital Giving Day falls on 21 May 2026, with all donations made in the lead-up doubled by community Impact Partners. This year’s Giving Day will support ongoing work to improve comfort, research and wellbeing for patients and families across the Moreton Bay region.

To donate or find out more, visit raiseitforredcliffe.com.au or call 1300 363 786.

Published 13-April-2026

Redcliffe, Caboolture Nursing Students Gain Early Hospital Experience Through New Training Pathway

Photo Credit: Metro North Health

Students from Caboolture and Redcliffe are the first in Queensland to take part in a new clinical training pathway that places Diploma of Nursing students directly into hospital and community health settings, giving them earlier hands-on experience as they prepare to join the region’s health workforce.

The program was announced on 25 February and involves 26 students studying through TAFE Queensland who are training to become enrolled nurses.

Clinical Training Close to Home

The group forms the first cohort of the Urapun Clinical School of Nursing, a program created through a partnership between Metro North Health, Redcliffe Hospital, Community and Oral Health services and TAFE Queensland.

The initiative allows Diploma of Nursing students to complete several clinical placements within the same health network while studying. According to health leaders involved in the program, this approach helps students build confidence by working with familiar clinical teams and supervisors throughout their training.

Students will complete four placements as part of the program. Two will take place at Redcliffe Hospital, while two others will be carried out through Community and Oral Health services across Moreton Bay and north Brisbane.

Education leaders involved in the project said the arrangement gives students earlier exposure to real patient care environments while strengthening pathways into the public health workforce.

*Photo Credit: Better Together – Our Health, Our Way/Facebook*

Supporting Future Nurses in the Community

Health educators say experience in different clinical areas is key to building practical skills before graduation.

During their placements, students may work alongside health professionals in services such as wound care, diabetes management, emergency care and specialty outpatient clinics.

Community and Oral Health services play a large role in the training program. The service supports more than 250,000 patient visits each year through home visits, dental clinics, health centres, mobile dental vans and residential aged care facilities across the region.

Program leaders say learning within these varied environments helps students understand how healthcare works both inside hospitals and in community settings.

Meaning Behind the Name Urapun

The clinical school’s name, Urapun, comes from the Torres Strait Kala Lagaw Ya Western Islands language group and means “one”.

Health leaders say the name reflects the partnership between Redcliffe Hospital, Community and Oral Health services and TAFE Queensland as they work together to support nursing education.

The program also aims to encourage inclusion and participation from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in the local healthcare workforce.

Education staff welcomed the first group of students during an afternoon tea and badge ceremony attended by nursing educators and Metro North Health staff.

The launch marked the start of what health leaders say could become a long-term training pathway that supports both students and the region’s healthcare services.

Published 5-Mar-2026

Redcliffe Hospital Expansion Masterplan Finalised

The masterplan for the Redcliffe Hospital expansion has been finalised, with construction timelines now locked in for a project that will deliver more than 210 new overnight beds and significantly enhanced healthcare services to the Moreton Bay region.

Read: Major Redcliffe Hospital Upgrade Moves Ahead With New Carpark And Services

Main procurement for the expansion will commence in early 2026, with the first new beds expected to open from late 2027. The full project is scheduled for completion by 2032.

Photo credit: Redcliffe Hospital/Google Maps

The finalised masterplan marks an important milestone for the project. Queensland Health Implementation Lead Sam Sangster said the department has been working closely with Metro North Health and local clinicians to ensure the expansion meets the genuine needs of the community.

The planning process has taken time to get right, with a focus on creating sustainable infrastructure that properly serves staff, clinicians, patients and their families well into the future.

What’s Included in the Expansion

Artist’s impression of Redcliffe Hospital expansion (Photo credit: qld.gov.au)

The Redcliffe Hospital expansion will deliver substantial improvements across multiple areas of healthcare service delivery.

At least 210 new overnight beds will be added to the hospital’s capacity, addressing growing demand from the peninsula’s expanding population.

Maternity services will be enhanced as part of the expansion, with improved facilities designed to support expectant mothers and families.

The expansion will also deliver enhanced endoscopy services, allowing for increased capacity in diagnostic procedures.

Additional operating theatres will form part of the development, enabling the hospital to perform more surgical procedures.

Car Park Extension Underway

Work is already beginning on a separate project—a three-level extension to the hospital’s multi-storey car park. This expansion will deliver more than 530 new parking spaces by 2027.

The car park project, valued at $36 million, has been awarded to Richard Crookes Construction. The additional parking will improve accessibility to the hospital.

Timeline and Next Steps

With the masterplan now finalised, the project enters its next phase. Registration of interest for contractors to deliver the main construction works opened in November 2025 and closed on 21 November, with the procurement process set to begin in early 2026.

The project will be delivered in stages. The first beds will open from late 2027, with the full project completing by 2032.

Read: Redcliffe Hospital Overhaul: 210 New Beds and Expanded Services Confirmed

Queensland Health has emphasised that the planning has been comprehensive, incorporating feedback from clinicians and healthcare workers who will ultimately use the facilities. The masterplan also addresses earlier concerns, including the protection of a culturally significant tree on the site.

Published 30-December-2025

Major Redcliffe Hospital Upgrade Moves Ahead With New Carpark And Services

Photo Credit: Queensland Government

Redcliffe Hospital expansion is set to deliver more than 200 new overnight beds and major service upgrades, giving the community one of its biggest health boosts in years.

Community Growth And Hospital Needs

The Queensland Government outlined the plan in a recent update. Construction timelines and contractor details were released after the state opened registrations of interest for the main hospital build. The carpark extension works are scheduled to begin early 2026.

Redcliffe residents will see a large increase in care capacity through the project. Plans include at least 210 new overnight beds along with larger maternity, endoscopy and operating theatre spaces. The hospital site design focuses on safe movement for staff and visitors while keeping a culturally significant tree at the centre of the grounds. The project aims to ease pressure on a hospital that serves a rapidly growing local population.

Construction Steps And Timelines

The state called for registrations of interest for the main build, with the lodgement period ending on 21 November 2025. The final masterplan is scheduled for completion by the end of the year. The update signals a shift from concept planning to detailed groundwork.

It sets the stage for contractors to begin the next phase once the government selects the successful applicants.

Carpark Upgrade And Local Access

Richard Crookes Construction received the contract to extend the multi-storey carpark. The upgrade is valued at 36 million dollars and will add about 530 parking spaces. Work will start early 2026.

The state noted that the cost per parking space comes in lower than earlier estimates. The extension aims to improve access for families and staff, especially during peak hospital hours.

Focus On Community Outcomes

Health Minister Tim Nicholls said the plan aims to deliver stronger services for Redcliffe families. Local MP Kerri-Anne Dooley echoed the community need for more space, safer layouts and better access to essential care.

The project sits within a broader health investment program and responds to long-standing pressure on emergency and inpatient areas. The government says it wants Redcliffe residents to feel supported when they seek treatment close to home.

Published 11-November-2025

Redcliffe Cancer Patients to Get Vital Care Closer to Home

Photo Credit: GenesisCare

Hundreds of Redcliffe residents facing cancer will soon receive life-saving radiation treatment locally as construction begins on a new, highly accessible oncology centre in the community.

A New Era for Local Treatment

The new centre is a project by oncology provider GenesisCare and is scheduled to be ready in mid-2026. It will be the company’s 10th facility in Queensland and is a key part of the new $30 million Altiva Health medical precinct being built by Allamanni Developments. Once fully operational, the clinic expects to provide care for more than 450 patients each year using high-quality, evidence-based radiation treatments.

Ending the Long Commute for Care

For many local families, the new facility will mean the end of exhausting and costly trips for treatment. GenesisCare’s Queensland Medical Director, Dr Marie Burke OAM, explained that accessing care close to home is critical for patients already facing significant emotional and physical challenges. She noted that many residents currently must travel to Chermside or the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital for radiation therapy. Removing this travel burden is seen as extraordinarily valuable for patients and their support networks.

An Integrated Health Hub

Located at the Altiva Health development on Silvyn Street, the centre is designed to be part of a connected health hub. It will operate alongside one of Qscan’s flagship medical imaging and radiology clinics, giving patients convenient access for diagnosis, staging, and treatment all in one area.

The site is also a short distance from Redcliffe Hospital’s existing medical oncology and allied health services, allowing for comprehensive care without long commutes between appointments.

Accessible to All

Dr Burke also emphasised that treatment will be accessible to the entire community. She clarified that private health insurance is not required for the outpatient services, as 80 to 90 per cent of the cost is covered by Medicare.

The centre also plans to offer fee flexibility for those who are financially disadvantaged, ensuring cost is not a barrier to care. Federal Member for Petrie, Emma Comer, and State Member for Redcliffe, Kerri-Anne Dooley, both visited the site and expressed their support, agreeing on the profound importance of allowing residents to receive care within their own community, close to family.

Published Date 30-October-2025

Redcliffe Hospital Overhaul: 210 New Beds and Expanded Services Confirmed

Photo Credit: Hospital Rescue Plan

A massive overhaul of Redcliffe Hospital is moving forward, promising at least 210 new beds and significantly expanded services to provide critical healthcare support for the rapidly growing Moreton Bay community.

The state government confirmed it will seek a construction partner in the coming months, beginning a competitive tender process to deliver the redesigned expansion. This project is a central part of the government’s $18.5 billion Hospital Rescue Plan, a state-wide initiative aimed at boosting hospital capacity and improving patient care across Queensland.

More Beds, Better Services for Local Families

Redcliffe Hospital — *Photo Credit:* *Hospital Rescue Plan*

At the heart of the expansion is a focus on meeting the specific health needs of the region’s more than half a million residents. The plan will deliver at least 210 new overnight beds, increasing the hospital’s capacity to care for more patients.

Beyond just adding beds, the project will broaden the hospital’s clinical services. Key departments, including maternity, endoscopy, and operating theatres, are set for significant expansion. This will allow more residents to receive specialised care closer to home, helping to shorten wait times for important procedures and consultations.

Modern Design to Support Patients and Staff

The redesigned hospital plans also include important infrastructure upgrades to improve the overall experience for everyone visiting or working at the facility. A major component is the addition of more car parking, with work already progressing to add three new levels to the existing multi-storey car park.

Officials have also stressed that the new design prioritises safety for nurses, doctors, and other healthcare workers. By optimising the use of the hospital site, the expansion aims to create a more efficient and secure environment that enables clinicians to deliver world-class care. Member for Redcliffe Kerri-Anne Dooley, who once worked as a nurse at the hospital, noted that the combination of extra beds and practical improvements like parking will make a huge difference for patients, visitors, and staff.

A Key Project in Queensland’s Health Strategy

The Redcliffe expansion is a key piece of a broader strategy to strengthen Queensland’s health system. The government’s Hospital Rescue Plan aims to add more than 2,600 hospital beds across the state to address widespread challenges, including ambulance ramping and surgery waitlists.

Acting Health Minister Dale Last said the government is committed to improving access to health services for all Queenslanders. He explained that the improved Redcliffe plan ensures public funds are invested responsibly to build the health facilities the community needs now and for the future.

Published Date 02-October-2025

Inquest Probes Baby Thea’s Death at Redcliffe Hospital

Photo Credit: Pexels

An inquest in Brisbane is investigating the death of newborn Thea Flaskett at Redcliffe Hospital, examining staff actions, medical procedures, and equipment use.

Background on Thea’s Case

Thea Ann Flaskett was born at Redcliffe Hospital late on September 10, 2023, and died at 4:17 a.m. on September 11, 2023, just four hours after her birth. A post-mortem revealed she had a congenital heart condition known as transposition of the great arteries, which had not been detected during pregnancy.

Her parents, Meg and James Flaskett, said they raised concerns about reduced foetal movement and growth issues in the weeks before delivery but felt these were not acted upon. They also reported problems in the birthing suite and delays during labour.

Thea Flaskett — *Photo Credit: Meg Flaskett/Facebook*

Emergency Calls and Clinical Response

Recordings played at the inquest revealed calls made by Redcliffe Hospital staff to the neonatal retrieval service. A liaison officer described the communication as difficult to follow, with limited details provided about Thea’s condition.

Specialist neonatologist Dr Pieter Koorts arranged for a retrieval team to be dispatched from Brisbane, which arrived at 2:05 a.m. with specialist equipment. He testified that he had enough information to initiate the transfer.

Paediatrician Dr Didier Tshamala told the court he arrived at 12:58 a.m. to find Thea already intubated and undergoing resuscitation. He said he initially thought she had a respiratory condition before realising more intensive care was required.

Equipment and Resuscitation Issues

Thea’s parents alleged that when their daughter was placed on a resuscitation trolley, staff discovered an empty oxygen tank and struggled to replace it. They also claimed there were delays in resuscitation, including disagreement among staff over whether Thea needed intervention.

Hospital representatives stated that oxygen supplies were stocked, equipment was operational, and any tank changes were performed according to clinical procedures. An internal review launched after the incident found no evidence of faulty equipment.

Redcliffe Hospital inquest — *Photo Credit: Pexels*

Missed Detection of Heart Condition

Thea’s 20-week morphology scan on May 5, 2023, did not detect the heart defect. Senior sonographer Craig Collins told the inquest ultrasound is not always reliable in identifying transposition of the great arteries, particularly when images are obscured.

Trainee sonographer Amanda Leddy, who was supervised during the scan, testified that she had optimised the images and would have raised concerns if she had observed any abnormalities.

Medical experts told the inquest that had the condition been identified, Thea’s birth would likely have been planned at a larger Brisbane hospital with cardiology services. However, they noted survival could not have been guaranteed even with immediate treatment.

Parents’ Perspective and Ongoing Proceedings

Meg and James Flaskett described the inquest as retraumatising but said they hoped it would provide long-awaited answers about their daughter’s death. They brought a framed photo of Thea to court as the proceedings began.

The six-day inquest is continuing, with further evidence to be presented by medical staff and specialists.

Published 14-Sep-2025