At The Common Good, we are proud to back research and patient care initiatives that extend beyond the walls of The Prince Charles Hospital.
Since 2020, we have provided support to Caboolture Hospital and assisted with some incredibly meaningful outcomes.
Below, we share some of those and more information about the volunteer program, The Café for The Common Good and special programs that we have supported at Caboolture Hospital.
Support for Caboolture at a glance
Through the generosity of donors, community fundraising and corporate partners, The Common Good has helped support several patient care initiatives, vital pieces of equipment, and research projects for Caboolture Hospital, Kilcoy Hospital, and Woodford Corrections (CKW) in the past couple of years.
- Over $260,000 of research grants supported
- Over $650,000 of research capacity building
Specifically at Caboolture Hospital:
- A refreshed paediatric ward which includes a kid’s retreat where children and siblings can play
- Specialised infant incubator bed for critically ill newborn babies
- VR Googles which serve as distraction therapy for sick and injured children in the Paediatrics Ward
- Washer and dryer in the older adult’s ward to ensure patients have fresh, clean clothing
- Sensory items to assist patients in the Adult Mental Health Unit
- Environmental improvements to support the multi-disciplinary Eat, Walk, Engage Program to improve mobility, cognitive engagement and nutrition of patients as a way of preventing delirium
- iPads, therapy dog visits and more
Specific Support of Children’s Services
With the generosity of the community, we have helped support the Children’s Services in Caboolture Hospital in several ways over the past few years.
A significant source of support is from the national fundraising alliance Hospitals United for Sick Kids (HUSK). The Common Good is proud to be the Queensland beneficiary of this vital initiative.
The Caboolture Hospital community, including patients and families, have benefitted, with funds previously being used to support important equipment and programs of need for this busy public hospital that serves a rapidly growing community.
CKW Grant Schemes
The Common Good began supporting the Caboolture Hospital, Kilcoy Hospital and Woodford Corrections (CKW) Research Development Unit in 2020 to promote research capacity and capability building. So far, the Foundation has provided over $650,000 in support of this function, which is vital in progressing research that ultimately improves and saves lives.
Steve Francia, CEO of The Prince Charles Hospital Foundation, which spearheads our community and fundraising initiative, The Common Good, says, “Research is a journey that requires dedication, perseverance, and collaboration, and we are proud of the researchers that we support who continue their important work, undeterred, to meet the needs of our community”.
The research priority areas for Caboolture Hospital include Healthy Ageing, Multicultural Research and Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Health.
To support research that underpins current and future treatment and care, The Foundation has now held two grant rounds for Caboolture (in 2022 and 2024), awarding a total of 15 research grants. Five of these have been completed, with 10 currently active.
Examples of research that the Foundation has supported include:
- Identifying and detecting swallowing sounds in premature babies.
- Improving rapid access to care for patients with type 1 diabetes.
- Evaluating new models of antenatal care for young, vulnerable mothers.
The inaugural Health Research Grant round in 2022 saw small project grants awarded to novice and experienced researchers.
In 2024, the program was expanded to include a Collaborative Grant round, which included matched co-funding from the University of the Sunshine Coast.
You can read more about some of the recent research projects we have supported in the 2022/2023 Research Report here.
Caboolture Hospital Volunteers
The Common Good is also proud to support Caboolture Hospital through the management of the Caboolture Hospital Volunteer program since July 2022.
Along with greeting members of the public and assisting with wayfinding, the incredible volunteer team and service have been expanded to provide additional support to members of the public, patients and staff throughout the hospital.
Currently, the team of helping hands consists of 40 volunteers, most of whom are members of the local community. At present, the team contributes 300+ volunteer hours a week!
Are you interested in volunteering? We could certainly use your help – you can learn more about volunteering at Caboolture Hospital here.
The Café for The Common Good at Caboolture Hospital
As an extension of our social enterprise model, The Caboolture Hospital Café was taken on by The Common Good in July 2019, becoming The Cafe for The Common Good. In early 2024, we opened a new café space following an extended period of major capital works at the hospital.
Serving fresh food and delicious Merlo Coffee, the new café site, located at the entrance of the hospital, is much loved by hospital staff and patients alike.
Did you know we also offer a catering service? Check out the catering menu here.
The Common Good Supporting Caboolture Hospital
“We are proud to stand alongside Caboolture Hospital in our shared mission of advancing research, improving patient outcomes, and ensuring that healthcare is equitable and accessible for all”, says Steve.
“I extend my deepest gratitude to our supporters – individual, businesses, and community partners – whose generosity makes this life-changing work possible.”
You can help support the immediate needs of Caboolture Hospital as it rapidly expands to serve a growing and diverse community. By donating to The Common Good, you can help ensure this busy public hospital thrives now and into the future.
To donate, click here or to contact our lovely Supporter Care team, phone 1800 501 269 or email info@thecommongood.org.au.
