Brad McGregor talks to QWeekend about health and longevity.

Keeping active and busy comes naturally to Maeve Cunnington, 74.

As she walks the streets of West End in Brisbane three times a week listening to podcasts, opera or country music through her headphones, she takes notice of the architecture, explores different routes and collects rubbish along the way.

She also hits the gym a few times a week at Blue Care Tangara Retirement Village where she resides and rides 40-50km on her e-bike with friends once a week….

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The Logan Healthy Living program is taking its participants beyond the clinic walls, to help combat Type 2 Diabetes.

Led by a team of allied health professionals, the Logan Healthy Living program tackles the mental, emotional, and social challenges facing clients living with or at risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Those who sign up for the eight-week program are connected with mentors and resources – from yoga and salsa dancing to cooking classes and support groups.

Logan Healthy Living participant, Judie Thompson was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes 12 years ago.

“I have a strong family history with my grandmother dying of diabetic coma, as well as uncles, aunties and cousins on both parents’ sides who have either passed away due to diabetic related illnesses or have had amputation of limbs,” she said.

“It was hard to accept that I have type 2 diabetes and that it’s not only related to being older and heavier, but your family genetics also have a very loud say in this disease.”

Ms Thompson said the program became a safe place for her to go.

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A focus on wellness and prevention, a holistic approach and a personal touch: these are some of the things that people expect from a GP surgery in 2022 – and rightly so, according to Darryl Grundy, CEO of UQ Healthcare.

‘People should expect a medical centre to deliver multi-disciplinary health care  that places the person at the centre of that care,’ he says.

That’s what people can expect at Meadowbrook Medical Centre, which recently opened across the road from Logan Hospital as part of the UQ Healthcare network.

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DMA Partners collaborated with Horwell Group and UQ Health Care to deliver a state-of-the-art centre comprising 2,300sqm of medical and retail space.

Situated 200m from Logan Hospital in the heart of Logan’s emerging health and education precinct, Meadowbrook Medical will house specialists, allied health practitioners and medical imaging services.

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UQ Health Care has launched an innovative program, Logan Healthy Living, to tackle the region’s rising tide of chronic disease, with new data showing it is helping participants better manage their diabetes.

Logan has the fifth highest rate of insulin-treated type 2 diabetes in the nation. Areas within the region have a diabetes death rate nearly twice the national average.

With funding support from Health and Wellbeing Queensland, Logan Healthy Living goes beyond diet and exercise to turn around these concerning numbers.

Led by a team of allied health professionals, the program tackles the mental, emotional and social challenges facing clients living with or at risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Those who sign up for the eight-week journey are connected with peers and resources outside clinic walls – from yoga and cooking classes to support groups.

Evaluation data from the pilot showed 86% of people reported a drop in overall distress in living with and managing their diabetes. This was measured using the Problem Areas in Diabetes tool, which covers issues such as feeling depressed, overwhelmed or ‘burned out’ as a result of living with the disease.

UQ Health Care, CEO, Darryl Grundy, says the program encourages clients to take charge of their health while keeping people out of hospital. Potentially preventable hospitalisations due to type 2 diabetes complications in Logan are nearly 40 per cent higher than the national average

“These staggering statistics inspired us to explore innovative ways to tackle diabetes,” Mr Grundy said.

UQ Health Care, a not-for-profit primary care, clinical innovation and research organisation, launched the  program in late 2021, at no cost to participants.

Logan Healthy Living Clinic Manager, Harmonee Dove, says the service sets clients up for success through building support networks and connecting them to resources in their community.

“We focus on tackling the physical, mental, emotional, and situational challenges that can hold participants back and support each client with a team committed to their success,” Ms Dove said.

“Whether it’s salsa dancing or a community support group, if it can motivate or empower clients on their longer-term journey, Logan Healthy Living facilitates that introduction. As expected, we’ve also seen the value in peer education with our clients describing ‘light bulb’ moments in workshops.

“By combining exercise physiology, physiotherapy, dietetics, diabetes education, psychology and social work perspectives in a true client-centred model of care, this program provides unprecedented, evidence-based support.”

The program, supported by students at The University of Queensland and Griffith University, covers diabetes education, goal setting, realistic dietary advice and supervised exercise using HUR technology that allows for simple, safe movement. It is designed to be inclusive, culturally appropriate and accessible.

Beyond graduating from the eight-week intensive phase of the program, participant support continues with ‘recharge sessions’ offered at one, three, six and nine months. To learn more visit the Logan Healthy Living website.

Logan Healthy Living is supported by a healthcare alliance including Health and Wellbeing Queensland, UQ Health Care, The University of Queensland, Griffith University, Brisbane South PHN and Metro South Health.

UQ Healthy Living is helping over 50s in the fight against Alzheimer’s and Dementia, with a new digital game designed to train the body and brain.

A cognitive training platform, the Dividat Senso is available at UQ Healthy Living’s new Members Studio, launched in partnership with The University of Queensland and UQ Health Care.

UQ Healthy Living Clinical Director Bradley McGregor said the boutique exercise space additional to the facility’s allied health services offers personalised programs using safe, smart, simple to use equipment.

“The Senso trains gait, reaction time and cognitive function to enhance, concentration, memory and spacial awareness.

“This form of training is proving to be effective in improving balance and building cognitive reserve.

“Cognitive health, a focus of UQ Healthy Living, is supported by the latest cutting-edge research on the importance of physical and social activity on promoting brain reserve.”

UQ Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences Executive Dean, Professor Bruce Abernethy said the new studio enables translation of the latest research and emerging advice into practice, for optimal healthy ageing.

“UQ PhD students are working on a number of projects that utilise client data recorded from the smart touch (HUR) technology and client’s performance over time,” Professor Abernethy said.

“A key element of UQ Healthy Living is the unique interprofessional model that addresses cognitive, physical, mental and social wellbeing all under one roof, as well as offering an interprofessional team environment.

“We have students from exercise physiology, exercise and sport sciences, dietetics, physiotherapy, psychology and counselling working with experienced clinical health practitioners to develop interventions for clients.

“Clients can also attend a range of educational workshops conducted by students providing valuable industry experience for students.”

There are a range of exercise options for over 50s at UQ Healthy Living, from highly supported specialty programs, to independent exercise in the Members Studio.

Intake health assessments determine which services are best suited to new clients.

Media: Kirsten O’Leary, UQ Communications, k.oleary@uq.edu.au, 0412 307 594

UQ Health Care will deliver a Pfizer vaccination clinic at the St Lucia campus for UQ staff, students and their families. Pfizer is now available for age 12 to 60+.

The Pfizer vaccination clinic
The clinic will be operate out of UQ St Lucia Medical Centre and will open on Monday 20 September, for a period of 10–12 weeks.

Appointments are available between 9am to 1pm Monday to Friday and the system is open for you to make your appointment now. Bookings are essential.

Booking slots are also available for international staff and students who do not have a Medicare number.

The clinic will be located in the ViewPoint Room (Building 33, St Lucia Campus).

How to book Pfizer vaccine appointment for UQ staff, students and their families:

BOOK YOUR PFIZER VACCINE NOW ›

1. This link will take you to the UQ St Lucia Medical Centre appointment booking portal (APPOINTUIT).
2. If you have not used APPOINTUIT previously you will be prompted to register.
3. Select Pfizer Vaccine 1st or 2nd dose from the drop-down menu. Available dates will display on the calendar.
4. Click the date you would like to book. Available appointment times will display.
5. Select your appointment time and complete the booking form.
6. If you are also booking your second vaccination appointment, please allow three weeks between your first and second dose of the Pfizer vaccine.

Alternatively, if you would like to organise an appointment for the AstraZeneca vaccine you can contact UQ St Lucia Medical Centre (telephone: 07 3365 6210).

We continue to offer vaccines to the community through our Brisbane South Covid-19 Vaccine Clinic. Click here to make a booking. 

UQ Health Care CEO, Darryl Grundy, has joined project partners to ‘turn the sod’ on the Meadowbrook Medical Centre development, which forms part of a significant Health and Knowledge Precinct for the Logan and Greater Brisbane region.

The $6m multi-level centre is located on a prominent corner of Logandowns Drive, 200m from Logan Hospital. It comprises over 2,000m2 of retail, medical and office space, with UQ Health Care as the anchor tenant operating Meadowbrook Medical Centre.

Mr Grundy was pleased to see construction begin, as the development supports UQ Health Care’s strategic priorities in offering primary care where it is needed most:

“The centre will provide an extensive range of quality health services, as well as essential training opportunities for the next generation of doctors, nurses and allied health.”

Project partners including Build Corp, Client Horwell Group, DMA Partners and Cottee Parker, as well as representatives from Logan City Council, were all in attendance to celebrate the commencement of the build.

Family development group Horwell Property Investments has long believed in the potential for the Meadowbrook site, having owned the land for more than 35 years.

Horwell Property Investments’ Ben Horwell said, “In committing to the development of the Southwest Medical Precinct, we sought to build a project team that, like us, had a strong level of confidence in the area, excellent knowledge of the current market and a determination to get the job done.”

Mr Horwell went on to note UQ Health Care was to play a key role, as the partnership would see ‘up to 100,000 people walk through the doors every year’.

Buildcorp’s Managing Director Tony Sukkar said: “This innovative facility will bring much opportunity to the area in essential medical services, education and training, and employment.”

The Meadowbrook Medical Centre will be operational later this year, bringing experienced general practitioners to the area, with specialist interests in diabetes, family health and preventative care.