FACILITIES AND SERVICES
INTRODUCTION
The Mater Hospital Mackay is a state of the art facility for the Mackay
community owned and operated by the Sisters of Mercy. In keeping with the
Philosophy of the Sisters, we aim to continue the healing ministry of
Jesus Christ by providing a high standard of acute hospital care.
The Mater Hospital offers many support services to the Mackay community and our facilities are always being updated to maintain the highest standard of health care.
The Mater Hospital employs in excess of three hundred staff who work together as a team delivering patient care and with approximately 100 private medical practitioners within the Mackay community.
COMMITMENT TO THE PROVISION OF QUALITY CARE
The Mater Hospital Mackay is a fully accredited facility which strives to continually improve its service delivery. Therefore we encourage the Mackay community to assist us in this important exercise by providing suggestions and feedback to enable us to enhance services.
The Hospital continues to strive for excellence through our philosophy of caring and our policies that help maintain the highest standards in all areas. If you require any further information regarding these services please contact the Mater Hospital on (07) 4965 5666
THE MATER HOSPITAL MACKAY
PROVIDING EXCELLENCE OF CARE TO THOSE WE SERVE
CARING FOR YOU FOR LIFE
PATIENT SERVICES: Ward areas, Patient education, Visiting Hours
SPECIALIST SERVICES
SUPPORT SERVICES: Dietetics, Florist, Coffee Shop
McAULEY HOUSE
PATHOLOGY
RADIOLOGY
VISITING HOURS
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 Back
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 Back
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 Back
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 Back
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 medication. Mass is celebrated in the Chapel on Wednesdays at 9.30 a.m. Ecumenical Services are also held by special arrangement.
PATIENT EDUCATION
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.
SPECIALIST SERVICES
The following specialty services are available at the Mater Mackay:
Anaesthesia
Cardiology
Ear, Nose, Throat Surgery
Gastroenterology
General Surgery
Internal Medicine
Obstetrics & Gynaecology
Occupational Health
Ophtalmology
Orthopaedics
Oral & Maxillo-Facial Surgery
Pathology
Paediatrics
Paediatric Surgery
Pharmacy
Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery
Radiology
Radiology & Nuclear Medicine
Urology
There is also available 24 hours on site General Practitioner medical services through the Mater Immediate Medical Service and the Mater After Hours Medical Service. These services are available to the entire Mackay community for people with urgent medical needs.
SUPPORT SERVICES
PHARMACY Back
A privately owned pharmacy operates on the hospital premises. This service not only provides in-house pharmaceutical support for the Mater Misericordiae Hospital patients but also offers a wide range of pharmaceutical and gift items.
Telephone number: 07 49 655176
RADIOLOGY
Complementing the hospital’s facilities is Queensland X-Ray offering a range of procedures including X-Rays , OPG, Fluoroscopy, CAT Scans, Mammography, MRI, Nuclear Medicine, Echocardiography and Ultrasound examinations.
State of the art equipment includes the colour doppler ultrasound used to determine the status of blood vessels and the CAT Scanner which enables the radiologist to build up a three-dimensional picture of internal structures. Referring Practices are also about to be supplied with email reports. A full complement of x-ray services are provided to support patients during their stay. Outpatient services to the Mackay community are also provided.
Hours are: Monday to Friday: 8am – 5pm, Saturday : 9am – 12 noon and on call services as required.
24 hour contact number is 07 49 656200 . Fax: 07 49 427506
PATHOLOGY
A pathology service is provided on site for hospital inpatients and outpatients. This supports all other clinical services provided and assures a ‘one stop shop’ for patients of the Mater.
Telephone No: 07 4942 9233
DIETETICS Back
The Hospital employs a full time dietitian to ensure that all meals served to patients, visitors and staff are of a high nutritional standard. People with special dietary requirements are visited by the dietitian during their stay to ensure that their special dietary needs are being met. This is a free service provided by the Mater Hospital to enhance a speedy recovery through a healthy dietary service.
CAFETERIA
The Cafeteria is open from 7.00 a.m. until 6.30 p.m. providing light refreshments and a variety of meals throughout the day for both staff and the general public.
FLORIST 
Positioned in the main foyer of the hospital Starcut Flowers, open 7 days a week, offer a wide range of fresh flowers, gift lines, chocolates and an in store newsagent for your convenience.
Purchase directly or phone their friendly staff on 07 4942 9444. Starcut Flowers also deliver within the Mackay district area.
COFFEE SHOP
A Coffee shop is available within the foyer for your use. It provides snacks and light meals and a variety of drinks.
McAULEY HOUSE Back
Eight fully furnished accommodation units have been provided on site to ensure that accommodation within close proximity to the hospital is available for patients or relatives. These units may be used by patients who are waiting to be admitted to hospital or by those patients who have been discharged but need to remain close to the hospital environment or their doctor. The units are also available to relatives who may need to provide ongoing support to a loved one who is a patient in the Mater Hospital.
For any information in relation to costs and bookings for the accommodation units please contact the hospital administration at the Mackay Mater Hospital on phone number 07 4965 5455
VISITING HOURS Back
Rest is an important part of the healing process, therefore there are set visiting hours to give all patients the opportunity to rest.
Visitors are welcome daily in general wards from 10.00 a.m. to 1.30 p.m. Patients rest for a couple of hours before visiting resumes from 3.00 p.m. until 8.30 p.m.
In the Women’s and Paediatric Units visiting hours are from 12.30 p.m. until 1.30 p.m. and from 3.00 p.m. until 8.30 p.m. Parents are encouraged to stay with their children whilst in hospital.
Visiting hours in the Intensive Care Unit are determined in consultation with the nurse on duty according to each patient's specific needs.
