The Café for The Common Good has been serving fresh and healthy meals to staff and visitors at the Caboolture Hospital site since 2019 – and in exciting news, this important café hub has a new home in the hospital’s recently opened Clinical Services Building.
The move into this new space, completed as part of the Caboolture Hospital redevelopment, along with the first meals made and served here are milestones celebrated by staff who’ve overcome some challenges during the redevelopment, all the while maintaining fresh and flavourful meals to keep patients and staff fuelled through a busy period of growth at Caboolture.
“The kitchen was lost in the early stages of the construction of the new Clinical Services building, but it was critical that we were still able to service the needs of our community through food and all-important coffee,” said Jason Medok, General Manager of Social Enterprise, The Common Good.
In fact, a dark kitchen (otherwise known as a remote kitchen) was created 150 meters from the café service point – and while this might not seem too far, this separation of spaces meant staff had to transport food between the dark kitchen, and the customer service point.
“The ‘Dark Kitchen’ operation was a new way of working for us, and certainly something that came with challenges that the team had to overcome. Not only did it mean we had to be lean and smart regarding what food we could offer with a reduced menu during this period, but we also had to factor in the logistics of how to transport food safely and efficiently between sites. I’m incredibly proud of what our Café Manager Nikki and her team have been able to achieve. Our customers were always front of mind for our team – and if there’s a will, there’s a way,” said Jason.
A purpose-driven approach to food
As the hospital is redeveloped and expanded to better cater to the needs of a growing community, so too is the new café.
The new café site will continue to offer a high standard of healthy, curated food options. On the menu, customers can expect a selection of hot meals, freshly made sushi, soup and salads, sandwiches, and baked sweets.
At the heart of any good café, is great coffee, and Merlo Coffee will be a central component of the site, complementing a grab and go offering of convenience foods, gifts, magazines and essential items.
Currently, 14 staff members are working at the café, and this number is sure to rise as the hospital and its services continue to expand.
“The local community is incredible – including the people who work at the Caboolture Hospital and those who live locally and are cared for here. We truly feel so privileged to be part of this and to keep the dedicated medical staff and the patients well-fuelled,” said Jason.
Most important, however, is the impact of this busy café.
As a social enterprise, profits from this bustling Caboolture Hospital café support critical research, equipment, and patient care initiatives.
“It’s also important to note that The Common Good’s presence at Caboolture Hospital isn’t just about serving up amazing food – it’s also a way that we can support and sustain research and patient care initiatives,” Jason added.
You can read more about our Social Enterprise here.
The Common Good at Caboolture Hospital
The Prince Charles Hospital Foundation was established in the mid-1980s and, through its initiative, The Common Good, exists to enable people to live healthier for longer by sustainability supporting research into heart disease, lung disease, mental health and ageing, as well as supporting patient care initiatives across both Caboolture Hospital and The Prince Charles Hospital.
Most recently, the Caboolture Children’s Ward redevelopment, supported by The Common Good along with financial contributions from the Caboolture Hospital Auxiliary, as well as the Murphy Foundation and Hospitals United for Sick Kids, has now been completed. Not only was this project designed to enhance the efficiency and amenity of this busy ward, but it also includes a Kid’s Retreat space for children and families to come together outside of their hospital room to play, engage and explore, enhancing recovery.
In 2022, through the generosity of the community, The Common Good was able to support seven research projects as part of the inaugural Caboolture, Kilcoy and Woodford grants, with an investment of $100,000. These grants were developed to support the key research priorities of Caboolture Hospital, which are focused on healthy ageing, First Nations and multicultural research.
A further round of grants is currently open for applications, with the addition of an additional grant round in collaboration with the University of Sunshine Coast. You can read more about what grant opportunities are open here.
In addition to investing in the future through research, The Common Good has been proud to support equipment and items to enhance the patient and family experience at Caboolture Hospital.
Virtual Reality goggles have been purchased as a form of distraction and entertainment for children presenting to the paediatric ward.
In 2022, the Foundation was pleased to facilitate the purchase of a specialised piece of equipment for infants called a Giraffe Omnibed. This special piece of life-saving equipment is designed to provide a controlled environment for premature or critically ill infants. Not only does it allow easy access for monitoring and treatment of infants, but it also includes phototherapy lights for treating jaundice, a common condition in newborns.
The Common Good was also able to respond to a request for the purchase of a bereavement bed.
Caboolture Hospital Volunteers
The Common Good has been proud to facilitate the vital Caboolture Hospital volunteer program for the past 18 months. Patients, visitors and hospital staff are supported by 26 wonderful individuals, who volunteer their time to their local hospital, contributing around 160 volunteering hours each week. These volunteers provide invaluable support in a range of areas within the hospital and help with things like welcoming people at the front entrance, helping with directions and providing administrative support to staff.
This long-standing volunteer program has continued to grow in leaps and bounds since transitioning, and we are always looking for more kind-hearted and dedicated individuals to join our team of wonderful volunteers.
Getting involved with The Common Good at Caboolture Hospital
If you would like to learn more about Volunteering with The Common Good at Caboolture Hospital, please click here.
There are several other ways you can help us to make a difference for staff and patients at Caboolture Hospital, including supporting the café, becoming a workplace giver or connecting grateful patients or hospital visitors who wish to support The Common Good.
To contact our team, please call 1800 501 269 or email info@thecommongood.org.au.
