The RBWH Foundation Grant Round 3 has been announced, with a number of projects targeting the extension of care for patients after they have been released from hospital. 

The RBWH Foundation CEO Simone Garske said the innovation of both patient care initiatives and medical research was an extraordinary reflection of the dedication and passion of clinicians across Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital and the Surgical, Treatment and Rehabilitation Service. 

“The RBWH Foundation is turning 40 Years Strong this year and never have we been as excited and optimistic about the quality of medical and health projects being developed across RBWH and STARS,” said Ms Garske. 

“Our Grant Rounds are now offered twice a year, offering patients across Queensland - and potentially the world, double the impact on their health outcomes.” 

Among the grants awarded was: 

• A communication portal for pregnant women to receive timely advice from clinicians about their health goals 

• Food parcels containing essential food items for vulnerable patients on discharge  

• Implementation of a new combination pain relief tablet for low-risk post-caesarean patients  

• Evidence-based memory group intervention for older adults following a mild cognitive impairment diagnosis. 

The RBWH Foundation Grant Round 4 website is now live and will open for applications from 1 March to 31 March. For more information, click here: https://www.rbwhfoundation.com.au/grants 

The complete list of RBWH Foundation Grant Round 3 follows: 

PATIENT CARE GRANTS 

Mrs Karen Tonkin | NeoRESQ and WNS, RBWH
NeoBuddy
Providing a token toy (NeoBuddy) for parents of premature babies transported by the NeoRESQ vehicle, acknowledging the significance of their life’s journey. 

Dr Merrilyn Banks | Dietetics and Food Services, RBWH  
Cooking Up a Storm: Celebrity Chef Training for RBWH Cooks
Co-design and implementation of a tailored training program, by a celebrity chef, for RBWH and STARS cooks to enhance their culinary skills, improving patient meal quality. 

Jemma Blyth | Cancer Care Services, RBWH  
Room with a View
Incorporation of visual display ‘windows’ into the radiation treatment bunkers, increasing the wellbeing and experience in Cancer Care. 

Associate Professor Susan de Jersey | Dietetics and Food Services, RBWH 
Communicating for the future- enhancing experiences of Living Well during Pregnancy through digital tools
Creation of a web-based digital platform and a secure communication portal for pregnant women to receive timely, relevant advice from clinicians about their health goals. 

Miss Jennifer Gillies | Dietetics and Food Services, RBWH 
Enhancing post-discharge care: RBWH’s Food Parcel Project. 

Improving patient’s wellbeing by alleviating the stress of going home after a hospital stay by providing a food parcel, ensuring that individuals receive essential food items and support during this critical period. 

Mrs Beth Cunningham |Physiotherapy/Neurosciences, RBWH  
Space to Move: redesigning therapy service
Improving functionality and visual ambience of the Level 7 gym, co-designing a safer and better physiotherapy space, attending patients from several wards. 

RESEARCH GRANTS 

Dr Niruthikha Mahendran | Physiotherapy, STARS  
Delivering fit-for-purpose rehabilitation together: Co-designing and action plan for high quality and accessible rehabilitation services
Targeting over 4200 Australians who access STARS rehabilitation services, the project will collaboratively develop and prioritise solutions and ways to improve how rehabilitation is delivered. 

Hannah McGlashan | Psychology, RBWH
Implementation and Evaluation of the LaTCH Memory Management Group Program at RBWH, Metro North 
Implementation and evaluation of an evidence-based memory group intervention within RBWH, supporting older adults following a mild cognitive impairment diagnosis. 

Professor Leonie Callaway | Women’s and Newborn Services, RBWH  
Consumer co-design of a multi-component intervention to promote weight inclusive maternity care
Co-design and evaluation of a multi-component intervention program informed by education programs to reduce the health stigma suffered by pregnant women with larger bodies. 

Dr Craig Winter | Neurosurgery, RBWH
Informed choices: a Software Solution for Brain Aneurysm Treatment Planning
Providing a ‘smart search’ tool that delivers rapid, evidence-based treatment recommendations for brain aneurysm. 

Dr Amy Lin | Anaesthesia and Perioperative Medicine, RBWH  
Self-administration of non-opioid oral analgesia post-caesarean delivery: a consumer co-designed implementation project
Implementation of a new combination tablet that will reduce the number of tablets and how frequently they are needed in low-risk post-caesarean patients, allowing for faster and safer recovery. 

Dr Anthony Batterbury | Safety and Quality Unit, RBWH  
A collaborative decision-making framework for safer patient placement after MET review – The COMFORTER study
Simplification and integration of models into practice for ward care for highly complex patients after medical emergency team (MET) review, better calculating safety risk. 

Dr Ross Lindell-Innes | Cancer Care Services, RBWH  
68GA FAPI PET Assessment of Pulmonary Chronic Graft Versus Host Disease
Evaluation of a novel non-invasive test that can earlier detect a common complication following stem cell transplantation, avoiding risky biopsies, leading to better outcomes for patients and families.