Pint-sized scrubs, big questions, and wide-eyed wonder filled the Queensland Children’s Hospital as young cardiac patients went behind the scenes at the annual Queensland Paediatric Cardiac Service Open Day.
More than 100 children and family members received exclusive tours to learn more about the teams, procedures, and services that care for Queensland kids with heart conditions.
First held in 2016, the open day, in partnership with HeartKids, has become a highly anticipated event on the hospital’s calendar. The experience aims to boost confidence, answer questions, and reduce anxiety by turning unfamiliar clinical spaces into an interactive learning environment.
Across the hospital, clinical teams set up information stations to bring cardiac care to life. In the operating theatre, children donned scrubs, gloves, and hair nets before getting hands-on with surgical equipment and learning what happens during heart surgery in a way that feels safe, not scary.
In medical imaging, toys turned into patients as ultrasound machines were used to show how imaging assists doctors in diagnosing and monitoring heart conditions.
Families met staff from the hospital’s intensive care unit and learnt about advanced life-support technology and equipment like extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO).
The Children's Health Queensland Retrieval Service also explained how it transports children from all parts of the state to Brisbane for vital care. Visitors looked at retrieval gear and tried on the helmets worn by staff during helicopter transfers.
Dr Nelson Alphonso said the day was important in helping families feel informed and empowered.
“Patient-centred care means partnering with families every step of the way. The open day provides them with the opportunity to get involved, ask questions, and help shape a more positive, confident healthcare experience for their child,” Dr Alphonso said.
The hospital can be a daunting place, but showing children the equipment, spaces and teams involved in their care helps create a more welcoming and familiar environment.
“We are proud to partner with HeartKids for the open day, working together to support families and create meaningful experiences that go beyond clinical care,” Dr Alphonso said.
Every year, the Queensland Children’s Hospital supports more than 6,500 children and young people with heart conditions and performs around 450 cardiac surgeries.
The next Queensland Paediatric Cardiac Service Open Day will be held in 2028.