St Stephen's Hospital

20/11/2025

At St Stephen’s Hospital, we specialise in transformative bariatric surgery to help you achieve sustainable weight loss and improve your overall health and well-being.

Here, St Stephen's Bariatric Surgeon Dr Mikhail Mastakov explains one of the most common procedures, Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy, what the surgery entails, and the lifestyle changes required for it to be fully successful.

Learn more on our website: https://bit.ly/4nAOxEY

20/11/2025

Yesterday we honoured the service of our colleagues who labour behind the scenes to support the functioning of our four UnitingCare hospitals. ⭐ 💜 🎉

Our Corporate Employee Long Service Recognition Awards recognised 28 amazing team members who have reached significant service milestones this year, ranging from 5 to a truly incredible 25 years of dedicated service, for a combined total of 360 years!

Please join us in celebrating the amazing contributions of each and every one of our 2025 recipients.

20/11/2025

🌱 ProjectSEARCH Information Session: St Stephen's Hospital Hervey Bay

Applications are now open for our 2026 ProjectSEARCH internships for young people with disability. Join our information session to learn more about this 12-month transition-to-work opportunity.

📅 5.30pm, 26 November 2025
📍 St Stephen’s Hospital, Hervey Bay
RSVP: https://myuniting.care/49nnh9u

Amelia’s journey at St Stephen’s Hospital is more than an internship—it’s a story of growth and impact.

From organising rehab equipment and keeping spaces spotless to sharing moments of joy with patients over games like UNO,

Amelia has shown incredible dedication and heart.

We’re so proud of everything Amelia has achieved and can’t wait to see her journey continue as she builds confidence, sharpens her skills, and makes a lasting impact.

Want to learn how Project SEARCH can open doors for you or a young person with disability that you know?

👉 Join our ProjectSEARCH Information Session: St Stephen's Hospital Hervey Bay.
📅 Nov 26, 5.30pm.
📍 St Stephen’s Hospital, Hervey Bay
RSVP: https://myuniting.care/49nnh9u

11/11/2025

💙 Accessing care at St Stephen’s Hospital is simple — whether it’s a planned procedure or urgent treatment, we’re here to help you feel better, faster.

Here's how:

• With a referral from your GP or specialist – ask your doctor to prioritise St Stephen's as your preferred hospital.
• Transfer from Emergency Department or another facility – ask your team to arrange transfer as an 'acute patient'.

👉 Learn more about how to access our services: https://bit.ly/3Lxxs1b

Learn how to access medical or surgical services at St Stephen’s Hospital, whether via a referral or transfer from another facility.

11/11/2025

They shall grow not old,
as we that are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them,
nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun
and in the morning
We will remember them.
Lest we forget.

07/11/2025

For the past decade, patients from across the Fraser Coast seeking a healthier future have found hope in the hands of Dr Mikhail Mastakov, a general and bariatric surgeon here at St Stephen’s.

Patients choose weight-loss surgery for a range of medical reasons, and Dr Mastakov and his multidisciplinary team of health professionals are here to provide support every step of the way for patients as they make lasting lifestyle changes and improve their overall health and wellbeing.

“It can take two or three years to change habits and for new habits to form and become normal,” Dr Mastakov said. “But the rewards come when you see the patients changing and benefiting, and they say thank you, you’ve helped to change my life.”

If you’re curious about what a weight-loss surgery pathway looks like from first consultation through lifestyle changes and long-term results, please click through to read more https://ststephenshospital.com.au/about-us/news/2025/11/06/creating-healthier-futures-with-a-health-first-approach-to-weight-loss-surgery

06/11/2025

Career Spotlight // Registered Nurse - Rehabilitation Ward

Make a meaningful difference with St Stephen's Private Hospital. 🏥✨

We have Maternity Leave positions available in our Rehab Ward for 12 months and are looking for someone with:

✅ Minimum of 12 months’ experience in an acute care/hospital setting
✅ Previous rehab experience
✅ Bachelor of nursing degree or equivalent and AHPRA registration
✅ Commitment to patient safety and quality improvements
✅ Desire for ongoing professional development
✅ Willingness to obtain required vaccinations in line with hospital's infection control requirements, as well as undergo national criminal history check and functional assessment

👉 Learn more about the role and apply now: https://bit.ly/4qGBt3L

As an integral part of our team, you’ll be encouraged to grow, develop and feel empowered to make the everyday easier for the people we care so passionately about. Let’s make a meaningful difference, together!

St Stephen's Hospital is proudly part of the UnitingCare family.

05/11/2025

A big congratulations to our September VIP Award winners, Orderly Nathan and Clinical Nurse Mahra! 🙌

Nathan was recognised for consistently demonstrating professionalism, kindness and integrity, supporting his team with maturity and compassion, and embodying the values of UnitingCare in every aspect of his work.

His nomination said: “Nathan is always happy to help and goes the extra mile for patients and all team members. He is reassuring in times of need for both patients and his team. Nathan consistently demonstrates the values of St Stephen's and deserves recognition for his hard work and dedication.” 👏

Mahra was recognised for her leadership in improving patient safety and team performance, notably co-ordinating the seamless rollout of emergency crash trolleys and consistently promoting excellence through evidence-based care and collaboration.

Her nomination said: “Mahra has truly stepped up to enhance team performance and patient safety. She led the stocking of all the new emergency crash trolleys and delivered them to each ward in the hospital. ... Mahra applies her experience and evidence-based care knowledge to promote and facilitate optimal staff performance.” 👏

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.

04/11/2025

✨ Last month St Stephen’s Hospital proudly hosted a High School Engagement Day in collaboration with the Health Gateway to Industry Schools project, managed by CheckUP Australia.

We welcomed 17 senior students and their teachers from Fraser Coast Anglican College and Urangan State High School for a day filled with hands-on learning, inspiration and fun! 🎓💉

Students:

🩺 Toured the hospital and met our incredible staff.
🩹 Dressed like healthcare workers and explored real medical equipment.
💻 Discovered cutting-edge technology in action.
🎓 Connected with University of the Sunshine Coast and CQUniversity Australia to explore future study pathways.
💬 Heard first-hand from healthcare professionals about their rewarding careers.

It was a fantastic opportunity to showcase the exciting and diverse careers available in healthcare — and to introduce St Stephen’s Hospital as a place where those futures can begin. 💙

A huge thank you to CheckUP, UniSC, CQU, our dedicated staff, and the wonderful students who made the day such a success. We hope we’ve inspired some future nurses, doctors, allied health professionals and hospital leaders! 👏

30/10/2025

☕🦺 It’s National Safe Work Month!

This week, we came together over coffee and a slice for a joint Safe-Tea Morning Tea – a chance to pause, connect and reflect on how we can all help make St Stephen's Hospital a safer place to work.

Thank you to our executive team, staff and volunteers for fostering a strong culture of safety and teamwork across our hospital. 👷‍♀️👨‍🔧

30/10/2025

During the recent severe weather, the Aboriginal flag that flies proudly outside St Stephen’s Hospital was blown down, and the flagpole was unfortunately damaged.

Repairs are planned for the coming weeks and we look forward to raising the flag again soon. In the meantime, we wish to reaffirm our ongoing commitment to reconciliation and working and walking together as First and Second Peoples within the Fraser Coast.

30/10/2025

👏 This week's Botox therapy demonstration and educational talk by our Rehabilitation Physician, Dr Paul du Toit, was a great success!

Attendees gained valuable insights into the therapeutic use of botulinum toxin in managing spasticity and improving patient outcomes.

Thank you to Dr Du Toit for sharing your expertise, and to everyone who attended. Stay tuned for more updates and innovations in rehabilitative care.