Toowoomba hospital takes the lead in health challenge ahead of Peak2Park

Toowoomba’s private hospitals have embraced a little healthy competition with the Battle of the Hospitals challenge.

The challenge, as part of the annual Peak2Park race on March 6, will see staff from St Andrew's Toowoomba Hospital and St Vincent’s Private Hospital Toowoomba focus on their own health, and not just that of their patients.

After four weeks St Andrews is in the lead against St Vincent’s, clocking up more than 330,000 steps.

That’s about 250 kilometres, or the distance from Toowoomba to Brisbane and back.

With 20 staff members participating, the team is working together to build up their pace and distance against their rival.

St Andrew's Toowoomba Hospital Chief Executive Officer Ray Fairweather said the hospital was not one to shy away from a challenge.

“Being a health service provider we feel it’s important to lead by example and we know physical exercise is good for health, fitness and wellbeing,” Mr Fairweather said.

“It’s healthy to have a rivalry between the private hospitals, and our team is extremely competitive, even amongst themselves. It’s been embraced well by everyone.”

Mr Fairweather said while they were in the lead, the St Vincent’s hospital team could easily step up to the challenge.

St Vincent’s 21 person team has almost 230,000 steps in their stride, or about 175km.

St Vincent’s Private Hospital Toowoomba Chief Executive Officer Kathryn McKeefry said the hospital joined the challenge to help staff focus on their own health, as well as their patients.

“We are delighted to be able to encourage our staff to take part of a programme that is focused on promoting their own health and wellbeing” she said.

“In the health industry, we are wonderful at assisting others through a health crisis and back to good health.

“We’re not always able to focus on ourselves and take the time to really look after our own health and wellness. Being part of this challenge allows us to promote health and wellbeing in a very positive and fun way.”

The leader boards for each team are updated daily, and with two weeks to go, either team could come out the victor.

Live Well are Gold members with Toowoomba and Surat Basin Enterprise.

Last year TSBE staff underwent a 16-week program with the Live Well team to encourage health and wellness in the workplace.

Live Well’s managing director Jaden Frame said the Live Well model was designed to empower employees to manage their own health.

“It’s great to see St Vincent’s and St Andrew’s embrace this concept and demonstrate their commitment to their employees.

Participants run, walk or jog through Toowoomba’s scenic parks and gardens, starting at Picnic Point on the scenic rim of the Great Dividing Range and finishing at lovely Lake Annand, with its wide expanses of lawn.

Since the first Peak2Park in March 2006, it has attracted over 25,000 participants, and raised more than $250 000 for local charities. The event is an ongoing success because of the support of families, schools, and businesses. 

Attendees can join the 10km or 4km events.

For more information visit the website or phone Frith Maunder on 4682 2510.