Patients in Mater Private Hospital Rockhampton's Papaya Unit have been treated to free fresh haircuts and styles thanks to local hairdressers and barbers keen to lift the spirits of those in care.
Clinical Nurse Louise Lommerse oversees the hospital's Papaya Unit, a partnership with Central Queensland Hospital and Health Service, to care for patients awaiting long-term nursing home placements.
"It's important for our patients and their families to feel at home in the hospital," Ms Lommerse said.
"We aim to create a space where patients feel cared for before they move into a nursing home and can participate in various activities, whether physical or mental."
Mrs Lommerse said it was important to help patients maintain a sense of normality when it comes to appearance.
"Making them feel as if they are still the person they once were before they were admitted to hospital is extremely important to them still being seen as people, and not just elderly patients," she said.
She said watching patients have their hair cut was heart-warming.
"It is very important for our patients. From a physical point of view, having neat hair is easier for the nursing staff to manage when assisting with showers," Ms Lommerse said.
"From a psychosocial side, when in hospital for an extended period of time, they may not have had access or the ability to visit a hairdresser or a barber."
Evan Treacy, a local barber and co-owner of Thieves & Beggars, has been in the hairdressing industry for 11 years and said lending a hand and bringing comfort to elderly patients at the hospital was "uplifting".
"There's something special about giving back to your local community," Mr Treacy, 31, said.
"I love being involved with charity work, and when I cut the hair of the male patients here, it's like talking to a bunch of old friends.
"It's a really nice feeling. You can see and feel the gratitude.
"I have tattoos and I don't think I am the guy they are expecting to turn up, so in a way it's also about changing the stereotype of what people think of men who are heavily tattooed."
Another local hairdresser, Tiffany Sayers, has also offered free haircuts to patients in the ward and said seeing the joy on their faces after having a trim was heartwarming.
"I know it's hard being in the hospital for extended periods, whether you're a patient or caring for someone," Ms Sayers said.
"It's also not easy to get out to appointments, especially when you're not in the best health.
"My three children were born at Mater Mother's Private Rockhampton, so I have a close connection to the facility."
Mrs Lommerse said patients in the unit had medical conditions which meant they were unable to return home and required care at an aged care facility.
Patients in the Papaya Unit engage in daily walks outside, diversional therapy activities, exercise classes, and daily trivia sessions.
Featured image: Mater Private Hospital Rockhampton Clinical Nurse Louise Lommerce (middle) with Thieves and Beggars owners Kara Morgan and Evan Treacy
