Macquarie University Hospital

08/01/2026

We were proud to see Macquarie University Health represented on the global stage at the 36th International Symposium on Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis/Motor Neurone Disease (ALS/MND). Held in San Diego USA in December, the symposium is the leading international forum for advancing clinical practice and research in this complex, life-limiting condition. Meaghan Joyce, Accredited Practising Dietitian (Macquarie University Hospital and Macquarie University Health Neurology MND Clinic), presented her research: “Weight Trajectories and Survival Following Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy (PEG) Insertion in Patients with Motor Neurone Disease at a Single-Site University Hospital.” This work draws on over 15 years of specialist, dietitian-led practice across inpatient and outpatient services. By providing continuous leadership in nutritional assessment, PEG planning, post-PEG protocols, and long-term follow-up, Meaghan analysed a longitudinal dataset examining real-world pre-PEG and post-PEG outcomes.

The findings show that specialised, MND-specific nutrition, delivered within a coordinated multidisciplinary team, improves survival, weight stability, and quality of life. It also highlights the critical role of dietetic leadership in optimising PEG timing, individualising nutrition, educating patients and carers, and partnering across medical, nursing, and allied health teams. This work showcases a world-class model of MND care from Macquarie University Hospital and Neurology Clinic and provides valuable international evidence reinforcing nutrition as a central, specialist discipline in high-quality MND care. Congratulations to Meaghan and the team.

08/12/2025

The team at Macquarie University Health’s ELUCiD program have recently concluded their second Pulmonary Nodule Masterclass with another sell-out triumph. Building on the success of the first workshop held earlier this year, the event was held over two days and included presentations on the latest advances in lung cancer detection, investigations, and nodule management, along with hands-on experience with the latest diagnostic techniques.

Led by Professor Tajalli Saghaie, the masterclass brought together an exceptional faculty of local experts - Professor Jonathan Williamson, Professor Alvin Ing, Professor Martin Phillips, Dr Julia Fattore, Dr Nathan Mortimer, Dr John Lee and Abby Fyfe - as well as interstate contributor Dr Nicholas Wilsmore and international specialists Professor Kyle Hogarth, Professor Catherine Oberg and Dr Joyce Ng. Thank you to our attendees who heralded from across Australia and New Zealand and our industry sponsors who helped bring the event to life. Find out more about the program at https://bit.ly/4poFMzx

01/12/2025

Patients with early Alzheimer’s disease will be able to access two newly approved drug treatments as part of an expanded specialist dementia service at Macquarie University Health. Read more at https://bit.ly/3KAbWsz

Breakthrough Alzheimer’s treatments offered by Macquarie’s specialist dementia service Researcher Professor James Burrell Date 27 November 2025 Faculty Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences Topic Media Releases Share Patients with early Alzheimer’s disease will be able to access two n...

15/11/2025

This week is Perioperative Nurses Week! Every year, we celebrate the incredible work that nurses do in the perioperative community. This year’s theme S.T.A.R.S. shines a spotlight on a different role within the perioperative team: Scrub/Scout, Technicians, Anaesthetics, Recovery/DSU, and support staff. This is a great opportunity to acknowledge the remarkable contributions of every member of our perioperative teams. Your dedication, flexibility, agility, teamwork, and collaboration are at the heart of the outstanding patient outcomes we achieve and the wonderful feedback we receive. Thank you for everything you do.

13/11/2025

Exciting news from Macquarie Medical Imaging (MMI)! We’ve just installed our third MRI scanner to meet growing patient demand.
Our new 1.5T MRI is specially designed to produce clearer images for patients with implants, like pacemakers or joint replacements, by reducing distortions that can appear in scans. Even better - it’s Medicare funded under our new MRI practice licence, making advanced imaging more accessible than ever. Find out more https://tinyurl.com/4mvx2nhx

10/11/2025

Macquarie University’s cutting-edge research into motor neurone disease (MND) will be supported by more than $3.5 million in grants, announced by leading fundraising and advocacy organisation FightMND. Read more at https://lighthouse.mq.edu.au/media-releases/2025/oct-2025/$3.5-million-in-grants-to-accelerate-the-fight-against-mnd

$3.5 million in grants to accelerate the fight against MND Date 29 October 2025 Faculty Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences Topic Media Releases Share Macquarie University’s cutting-edge research into motor neurone disease (MND) will be supported by more than $3.5 million in grants anno...

29/10/2025

Our Breast Cancer Awareness Day was a wonderful success, thanks to the incredible generosity and spirit of our Macquarie University Health community. From delicious baked goods and beautiful flowers to prizes, donations, and helping hands, we’re so grateful to everyone - our staff, patients, volunteers, and teams across Macquarie University Health, who made the day so special.

21/10/2025

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. I’m Ruth Cho, McGrath Foundation Breast Cancer Care Nurse, based at Macquarie University Hospital. Every day, I have the privilege of supporting patients and their families as they navigate breast cancer - from diagnosis to treatment. My role is to provide emotional and practical support, help coordinate care across our multidisciplinary team, and ensure every patient has access to the right resources at every stage of their journey. Our comprehensive breast cancer services include advanced imaging, surgical treatment, oncology, and a wide range of support services – all under one roof. Together, we’re committed to delivering patient-centred care that combines compassion with clinical excellence. Let’s continue to raise awareness and support those affected by breast cancer, because early detection and holistic care make all the difference.

14/10/2025

October 14th is Allied Health Professions Day, established in 2018 to celebrate and bring together the allied health professional community. This year the main theme for Allied Health Professions Day is ‘Stronger Together’ – highlighting the benefits of multidisciplinary team care. At Macquarie University Health we have highly skilled and dedicated allied health professionals, working in diverse roles across clinical and academic settings to contribute to the care and wellbeing of our patients and consumers, and to develop the workforce of the future. Our allied health team includes radiographers, sonographers, nuclear medicine scientists, physiotherapists, lymphoedema therapists, cardiac physiologists, pharmacists, dietitians, speech pathologists, neuro and clinical psychologists, medical physicists, and many more. Thank you to our allied health professionals - the heart of collaborative, patient-centred care at Macquarie University Health.

10/10/2025

October is Health Literacy Month. Did you know understanding health information can make a real difference to your wellbeing? Watch this informative video to find out more about why health literacy matters. Presented by Edwina Holmes, Nurse Educator. Visit https://tinyurl.com/yv64ys9w

24/09/2025

An innovative approach to tackling Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias is moving closer to reality, with Macquarie University spinout SynaptraBIO securing $2.3 million in development funding from the Australian government’s Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF). Read more at https://tinyurl.com/47y53xdk

$2.3m boost for Macquarie University spinout developing patient-friendly dementia treatments Date 22 September 2025 Faculty Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences Topic Media Releases Share An innovative approach to tackling Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias is moving closer to reali...

15/09/2025

Despite positive signs in reducing overuse of psychotropic medication in aged care, some areas still need urgent attention according to Macquarie University’s Associate Professor Magda Raban. Read more at https://tinyurl.com/ycfzr7rx

Use of psychotics twice as high in aged care residents with dementia Researcher Associate Professor Magda Raban et al Publication View journal article Writer Carmel Sparke Date 15 September 2025 Faculty Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences Topic Our StoriesHealth and Medicine Share Despite...