South Metropolitan Health Service

SMHS hospitals and community-based services provide valuable and wide-ranging care to many in our community. The breadth of care and treatment often has a positive impact on patients.

The following stories highlight how the care and treatment given by our staff has made a real difference to our patient's lives.

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Collaboration returns Hannah from the sound of silence Hannah faced a future of complete deafness until an auditory brain stem implant restored her hearing and changed her life.
Screening study detects Leonie's lung cancer early After joining an international lung cancer screening study, Leonie Bamford was left counting her lucky stars when a lump on her lung was discovered early enough for her undergo curative surgery.
Tija's headaches a distant memory Debilitating headaches were interrupting 14-year-old Tija Kins' sleep, schooling and daily activities, but innovative treatment from the Virtual Immunology Clinic at Fiona Stanley Hospital has changed her life.
A breast cancer journey during a pandemic The breast cancer journey from diagnosis to chemotherapy, mastectomy and radiation therapy is difficult in normal times, but throw in the COVID-19 pandemic and it becomes even tougher, as single mother of two Amy Duckworth found out.
Gordon's occupational therapy journey to home September 2021 is a month 81-year-old Gordon Tristham will not forget in a hurry – it was the month he was admitted to Rockingham General Hospital’s Aged Care Rehabilitation Unit for four weeks following a sudden decline in his mobility.
Allied health professionals giving the gift of recovery Christmas should be an exciting and joyful time, but in December 2020, life changed dramatically for 61-year-old Anthony ‘Tony’ Basile when he was rushed to the Fiona Stanley Hospital emergency department after collapsing.
Tailored hospital care helps elderly residents stay home A triple service collaboration across Fiona Stanley and Fremantle hospitals is providing patients like Kaye with person centred care at the right time and in the right place.
Helping Morgan navigate the road to recovery With the support of the Spinal Outreach Service at Fiona Stanley Hospital, Morgan is learning to navigate life from the seat of his wheelchair.
Overcoming the sound of silence Aspiring writer Tara suffered a stroke that left her unable to speak and comprehend. Thanks to months of intense speech and language therapy, Tara has regained her voice.
Home is where the heart is for 90-year-old-Dallas Thanks to the Rehabilitation in the Home (RITH) program, which provides short-term allied health therapy at home, Dallas was able to spend most of her time recovering from a fall at home with her husband Bob.
Kevin's journey to walk again after flu-induced coma After spending three weeks in a coma on life support and dialysis, Kevin faced his recovery with courage as he learned to walk again.
Father and son's transplant milestone Ben Wylie and his father Gary, who has acute myeloid leukaemia, recently became the 500th bone marrow transplant donor and recipient at Fiona Stanley Hospital.
Kevin's therapy success A T11 paraplegic since 1957, Kevin had experienced a gradual decline in function and mobility. Thanks to occupational therapy during a 7-week stay in Rockingham General Hospital, he is again enjoying spending time with friends in his hobby shed.
Rose's COVID-19 journey In March 2020 as Rose Paget departed for an international holiday, little did she know the journey home to her Denmark cattle farm would take more than 6 months as she battled COVID-19 complications.

Last Updated: 21/07/2022

Patient stories