Sometimes, simple ideas can lead to powerful change. That’s the spirit behind Ideas Tank, the Women's annual small grants initiative inspired by Shark Tank. Here, staff share innovative ideas to help improve patient and staff experiences.
This year, 14 new proposals were successful in securing Ideas Tank funding, making a real difference for patients, families and staff. Some of the projects include:
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Installation of a First Nations acknowledgement plaque and artwork at the entrance of the Women’s Sacred Space, creating a more culturally safe and welcoming environment.
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A system to translate appointment details into text messages for culturally and linguistically diverse people.
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Buying pizza for the Newborn Intensive Care Unit (NICU) non-birthing parents group. A simple yet powerful gesture creating a safe and inclusive space for dads and non-birth parents.
Three of the 14 proposals that were funded came from the Women’s Perinatal Bereavement Service team. They support families who have lost a child through miscarriage, stillbirth, or neonatal loss.
Keepsakes close to the heart
The loss of a child is unimaginable, yet sadly, it affects over 3,000 pregnancies in Australia. For families, this grief is profound and lifelong. Small, meaningful gestures and items, like a stone heart, a recording of the baby’s heartbeat or a storybook, can offer comfort and connection.
Thanks to Ideas Tank, families can continue being supported through loss by receiving these small keepsakes to take home.
Haidee Murnane, Associate Unit Manager of NICU and one of the Ideas Tank applicants, sadly lost her five-year-old son three years ago and recalls the solace of receiving a stone heart from the Palliative Care team. “It warmed in my hands, grounding me in my grief and reminding me that his life mattered.”
Cassandra Stephens, Clinical Nurse Consultant in NICU, shared her project to provide families with a recording of their baby’s heartbeat using a digital stethoscope. “It’s a living memory, a deeply personal connection that brings comfort long after their baby is gone.”
Nina Grillo, Perinatal Bereavement Coordinator, highlighted the often-overlooked grief of siblings.
“Many parents seek support and advice on how to tell their children that the baby has died. Age-appropriate storybooks help children understand loss. Offering one is more than a resource – it’s a meaningful gesture that helps families find words and solace during heartbreak.”