Mater Misericordiae Hospital Mackay Mackay Home Patient Services Specialist Services Support Services McAuley House Patient Services St. Gerard's Family Care Unit The Mater Hospital Family Care Unit is a facility dedicated to the care of women, families and children, The focus of this unit is on maintaining the philosophy of family and creating a place where husbands, partners and other siblings feel welcome and at home. Delivering a new addition to the family The large and modern birthing suites are fitted out with the latest in birthing technololgy and include large baths in each suite for water immersion therapy during labour. The role of partners is vital during the birthing process and our qualified women's health nursing staff support labouring mothers and their partners during the birth experience. We want the birth of a new child to be a memorable occasion. To encourage bonding between both parents, several rooms in the 30-room unit also feature a double bed, to allow partners to stay overnight on the first night after the birth of a new child. A special care nursery is conveniently located within the unit and will closely monitor premature and sick babies.

Offering specialist care for Women

In addition to providing care for pregnant women, mothers and their newborn babies, St. Gerard's Family Care Unit also offers a specialised environment for the treatment of women's health issues. It is here that women recover from a range of gynaecological, pregnancy, hormonal and breast related surgeries and treatment.

Caring for Children

The integration of the children's ward into St. Gerard's Family Care Unit is a natural step, given that caring for toddlers and children is an extension of the care offered to new parents and their babies.

Each paediatric room is large enough to allow a parent to stay overnight to comfort their child and assist in the recovery process. Added extras such as an enclosed verandah area to allow children to play in a safe environment; in-room videos; toys; computer games and entertainment systems will also make a child's stay more comfortable and alleviate potential boredom.

St Joseph's Day Surgery and Operating Theatre Suite

Located on Level 2, St. Joseph's is a well equipped surgical unit designed to meet the region's growing need for surgical services. The four operating room theatre suite is supported by an eight-bed recovery area and recovery lounge specifically designed for those patients who do not require an overnight hospital stay.

Adjoining the four theatre operating suite, St. Joseph's Day Surgery Unit services the needs of surgeons and anaesthetists and has access to a wide range of advanced medical technology and equipment such as lithotripsy and video-endoscopy to name but a few.

The Operating Theatre runs a 24 hour a day, on call emergency service and is equipped to undertake a wide variety of procedures.

All surgical patients have the support of the Mater's modern St. Luke's Coronary Care Unit, ensuring patients receive immediate care and attention should the situation arise. The Mater's 30 bed St. Paul's surgical ward also caters for any patients that are required to stay overnight for closer medical attention.

St Luke's Coronary Care / High Dependency Unit

Patients requiring coronary or high dependency nursing care are accommodated in a five bed purpose built unit. It is attended by specialist physicians, surgeons and anaesthetists, staffed by qualified intensive care nurses and equipped with the latest medical technology. This unit provides for patient privacy, comfort and relaxation.

The Units involvement in international medication trials and staff attendance at National conferences assists in maintaining an up to date standard.

The Coronary Care / High Dependency Unit provides Cardiac Rehabilitation on an inpatient and outpatient basis to ensure patients requiring specific guidance and education in relation to their cardiac condition are provided with on-going support.

St Paul's Surgical Ward

St. Pauls 30 bed ward located on the second floor of the hospital with easy access to the operating theatre unit. The surgical ward accommodates all surgical cases for overnight or extended stays. Modern electronic beds, which can be raised or lowered at the touch of a button, assist patients in achieving improved mobility whilst recovering from surgery.

Visits by other medical professionals such as dietitians and physiotherapists are also arranged for the added convenience of patients during their stay. Each private room is large and airy and features air-conditioning, ensuites, telephones and private mini-fridge.

Sacred Heart Medical Ward

The medical ward strives to ensure continuum of care for those patients with long term, chronic or short-term medical problems. Family participation in care is encouraged to promote sharing in the illness, recovery and long term treatments. Specialists physicians and General Practitioners supported by our highly trained nursing staff ensure a high standard of care.

Each room is air-conditioned and features bright and modern decor designed to lift the spirits of our patients and make their stay in hospital more pleasant.

St Catherine's Palliative Care Unit

St. Catherine's Palliative Care Unit is designed to offer care and comfort for those patients suffering from a terminal illness. Supporting patients through diagnosis, treatment and recovery is the philosophy of St. Catherine's. The cornerstone of this philosophy is providing a service that is based on honesty, communication and caring. The nine-bed unit has access to a beautiful landscaped courtyard and has its own lounge and kitchen area, making it a relaxed and comfortable place for patients and their families.

The Palliative Care nursing team are highly experienced and are specialists in the care of patients with a life threatening illness. These caring professionals offer support for the relief of pain and symptoms associated with advanced illness. Supporting the emotional and spiritual needs of patients and their families is a vital quality of all St. Catherine's nursing staff members.

St. Catherine's has a chemotherapy treatment area with five treatment couches. This allows patients who are receiving day chemotherapy treatment the freedom of not being confined to a hospital bed to receive their chemotherapy. This area is also large enough for a support person to be present whilst the patient receives their treatment. After all, the encouragement of family or friends is integral during medical treatment.

Pre-Operative Clinics

Pre-operative clinics have been initiated to ensure that patients attending the Mackay Mater Hospital for surgery receive relevant information which will facilitate a speedy, comprehensive admission to hospital for surgery. Patients are assessed by registered nurses prior to their surgery date. This gives the patient an opportunity to ask questions regarding their surgery and allows nursing staff to give information which is pertinent to their hospital stay. Clinical pathways specific to a particular surgical procedure are given to patients at the pre-operative clinic. These can be taken home and perused at leisure prior to hospitalisation. These pathways are a guide to the anticipated care and interventions that will be a part of the care delivered whilst at the Mater Hospital.

Pastoral Care

Pastoral Care is a special part of the service provided by the Mater Hospital. It addresses the emotional, social and spiritual needs of the patients.

Members of the clergy from all denominations visit the hospital regularly to talk and pray with patients.

Holy Communion is available to patients in their rooms or in the Chapel on various days each week.

The Chapel is situated on the ground floor adjacent to the central courtyard and is open at any time for prayer and meditation. Mass is celebrated in the Chapel on Wednesdays at 9.30 a.m. Ecumenical Services are also held by special arrangement.

Patient Care

The Mater's commitment to providing holistic care to the Mackay community is evidenced by the variety of patient education services available.

The Mater has diabetic educators available to assist patients diagnosed with diabetes.

Wound Management Consultants are available to provide guidance in relation to specific complex wound care.

Asthma educators are employed throughout all departments to ensure patients with respiratory problems receive on-going advice and education regarding their illness.

Nurses have been specially trained in the on-going care and treatment of lymphodema and clinics for the management of this condition are established on an individual needs basis.

A stomal therapist is also available to assist any patient who has a colostomy or requires surgery resulting in a colostomy. The therapist will visit surgical patients before their operation to explain all aspects of the procedure and after care. Teaching the patient and their family in the skills related to colostomy care and advising on ordering colostomy supplies, diet and ways to help lead a normal life, are other areas covered by the trained stomal therapist.

Nurse educators can develop programmes to suit individual needs and offer practical advice to newly diagnosed patients. Many of these services can be provided on an outpatient basis.