Townsville Hospital and Health Service

16/11/2025

Good luck trying to keep up with Oakley! 🏃‍♀️💨

The energetic, bright, and smiling little girl ✨ is full of life and around today because of a heart tissue transplant. ❤️

Today is DonateLife Thank You Day 🙏, and Oakley’s mum Jessie, together with Townsville HHS specialist nurse Meagan, are thanking donors for their selflessness and encouraging more people to register as one.

Jessie said because of the incredible generosity 💖 of someone else, Oakley now has a future. ☀️

Thank you to all the organ and tissue donors and their families. Your selfless gift 🎁 helps to bring hope from tragedy.

Haven’t registered to become a donor? ❓ It only takes a minute. ⏱️

Register today at donatelife.gov.au ➡️💻

14/11/2025

Registered Nurse Georgia Lutz has gone above and beyond to make a difference for young people impacted by cancer, raising more than $3,100 for Canteen. 💙✨

Georgia said she was inspired to organise the fundraiser through her work in the Townsville Cancer Centre.

“You see the strength of patients and their families every day,” she said. “I just wanted to do something small that could help make things a little easier for them, and Canteen felt like the perfect charity to support.”

To bring the fundraiser to life, Georgia organised a series of fun activities, including a staff competition where colleagues submitted photos of their pets proudly wearing Canteen bandanas.

“It was amazing seeing everyone get involved; patients, staff, everyone,” she said.

“It turned into something really meaningful and brought a lot of joy to the unit.”

A huge congratulations to Georgia and her colleagues for their compassion, creativity and commitment to supporting young people living with cancer!

13/11/2025

Got great coffee? ☕🚚 Tender opportunity

Townsville Hospital and Health Service (THHS) is inviting Expressions of Interest for the operation of coffee van(s) across its community health sites to include Cambridge Street, Palmerston Street, and North Ward.

Submissions are due by 28 November.

This licence offers:
· One (1) year operation with optional one (1) year extension
· Nominal licence fee of $1 per annum
· Service focus: weekday mornings (6:30am – 9:00am) for staff, patients and visitors

THHS procurement & contracts Officer Shai Hawkins said the team was excited to welcome innovative local operators to provide high-quality coffee and beverages to staff and the community.

“This is a great opportunity to be part of the Townsville healthcare family and support the wellbeing of those who care for us every day,” Shai said. 💙

THHS is committed to socially responsible procurement, ensuring ethical standards, sustainability, and positive community impact.

Find out more about this opportunity via the official Queensland Government tender portal VendorPanel ➡️ https://vendorpanel.com/platform/suppliers (reference number THHS127740 VP485953)

The Townsville Hospital and Health Service (HHS) is passionate about improving the health and lives of the North Queensland community. We deliver excellent care, research and education to improve the health of the people and communities of northern Queensland.

07/11/2025

Get Ready North Queensland - it's time to prep for cyclones, storms, and bacteria 🌀

The Queensland cyclone season runs from 1 November to 30 April, bringing the possibility of intense rainfall, damaging winds, and dangerous storm surges. 🌧️

Public health acting director Dr Kate Murton said now was the time to prepare for all scenarios, including bacterial infections.

“This year we have seen the highest recorded number of confirmed melioidosis cases in Queensland with 249 notifications, 88 of those in the Townsville Hospital and Health Service region,” Dr Murton said.

“It’s why we want the community to be aware of all the dangers and to be properly prepared for a disaster.

“Natural disasters can also be incredibly stressful so it's vital to have a plan to manage anxiety and know how to connect with mental health supports if needed.

“Become familiar with your local disaster dashboard for the latest accurate local disaster-related information as well as tips on what you should have in your disaster kit.”

Top Prep Tips:
🧹 Clear your yard of debris and secure loose items
🏠 Check your roof and gutters for damage or blockages
🗺️ Know your evacuation routes and check your local disaster dashboard
🎒 Stock your disaster kit with: torch, batteries, radio, food & water, first-aid supplies, and medications
🐶 Make a plan for pets and vulnerable family members
📞 Contact your GP now to arrange refills and scripts to avoid any gaps in treatment
🧪 Stock up on medications and check your first-aid kit.

🔗 More tips at getready.qld.gov.au
🗑️ REMINDER - Free Tip Run this weekend (November 7–10)
Townsville residents can dispose of domestic waste free of charge at any Council waste facility.

07/11/2025

Our TUH physio bros are on the mo! 🧑🧔

Movember has started and our physios are getting freaky with their facial follicles all in the names of men’s health.

Watch our fresh-faced physios get hairier over the course of the month as a reminder to check in with your mates, check in with yourself and get yourself checked for all your health concerns.

💸 And if you’ve got a spare dollar or two, help them smash their target of $5000 by donating to their Movember page here: https://bit.ly/49nhL4B

06/11/2025

Notice: Aitkenvale Library Child Health Clinic - Closed Saturday 8 November

Please note there will be no Child Health Nurse available at the Aitkenvale Library drop-in clinic on Saturday 8 November 2025 (9am–12pm).

We apologise for any inconvenience and thank our families for their understanding. Regular clinic hours will resume the following week.

For other Child Health clinic times and locations, visit

Child, Youth and Family Health Service is a free, community-based service provided to families by qualified health professionals.

04/11/2025

History made in North Queensland! 🎉

Ayr mother-of-two Marj Manak has become the first patient to receive a kidney transplant through the new North Queensland Kidney Transplant Service (NQKTS) in Townsville.

Diagnosed with sclerosing cholangitis as a baby, Marj defied the odds to celebrate her 56th birthday after two liver transplants and now a kidney transplant.

“Having the surgery in Townsville made a huge difference… my kids and family could visit, my husband John was by my side throughout, and the staff were fantastic.” Marj said.

“It’s life-changing; I had my first transplant at 23, and I just turned 56, which would have never happened if not for organ donation. That’s 33 extra years of life thanks to people who chose organ donation and told their families about their wishes.

“I’d like to thank my donor’s family from the bottom of my heart; it’s a gift I’ll be forever grateful for.”

Transplant surgeons Dr Nikhil Mahajan and Dr Aasim Khan described Ms Manak’s case as both “challenging and inspiring," and NQKTS director Dr Michelle Harfield said the service’s first transplant was the result of years of hard work and collaboration.

“This is a momentous achievement for our team and for North Queensland,” Michelle said.

“Transplantation is a team effort that includes doctors, nurses, allied health clinicians, psychologists, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workers, all working together.

“Ultimately, though, this is about Marj; our wonderful patient who has waited a long time for this moment, and to now see her glowing with health is incredible.”

Townsville Hospital expects to perform around 30 transplants in the first year, bringing specialised care closer to home for North Queenslanders.

Head to https://www.donatelife.gov.au/learn to learn more about organ donation ♥️

Read more about Marj's story on our website https://www.townsville.health.qld.gov.au/about-us/latest-news/

02/11/2025

‼️ Important car park information for Ingham Health Service patients and staff ‼️

Construction has begun at Ingham Health Service which will impact access to the main hospital building.

The undercover walkway adjacent the public car park will be closed for the next 6-8 weeks, prohibiting access to the Community and main admin entrances.

Please enter the hospital from the main entrance on McIlwraith Street.

The best access for the emergency department is via the rear of the hospital. Parking is available on the grassed area.

Please be careful when using the public carparks during construction. Follow the wayfinding signage and obey any instructions from traffic control for your and the safety of others.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

31/10/2025

Occupational Therapy Week! 🧡

Director of occupational therapy Michelle Watson shared what this week means to the Townsville Hospital and Health Service.

“This week is all about celebrating the history of our profession, the work we do with patients, and the vital role occupational therapists play in a hospital setting," Michelle said.

"This year’s theme, “Occupational Therapy in Action,” highlights the diverse and dynamic roles OTs play every day.

"Celebrations consisted of ward-based engagement activities, fun games, and daily emails sharing the profession’s rich history with staff across the health service, and a morning tea celebration to round off the week." 🍰💙

👏 A big shoutout to all our occupational therapists and thank you for the meaningful difference you make every day!

31/10/2025

Boo! 👻

Today the wards at Townsville University Hospital were crawling with witches, ghosts, monsters, and pumpkins as our staff got into the Halloween spirit. 🎃👻

Even our hospital florist doggo got in on the action! 👹🌻

30/10/2025

A MESSAGE FROM TOWNSVILLE HOSPITAL AND HEALTH SERVICE CHIEF EXECUTIVE KIERAN KEYES

In recent weeks, we have been reviewing the care provided to patients through our urology service. That review is now complete.

Out of more than 5,000 patients seen by the urology service between January 2022 and July this year, we identified 218 whose planned follow-up appointments, tests or reviews did not occur as they should have.

While most experienced minimal or no harm, it is unacceptable that any patient missed the follow-up care they required and suffered harm as a result.
I want to say that I am deeply sorry. On behalf of our entire team, I offer my unreserved apology to every patient and family affected.

We are contacting affected patients directly, and arranging updated individual care plans as required. Additional urologists and specialist nurses are being brought on board to strengthen care and provide extra support. Our executive team and the Board are also exploring every available additional option, including partnerships with private and external providers, to ensure every affected patient receives their follow-up care as quickly as possible.

Our staff come to work every day to deliver worldclass healthcare, and this has been incredibly distressing for them too. But it’s important that we are open and transparent with our community about what has occurred and the steps we are taking to fix it.

The Queensland Health Director-General has also commissioned an independent Part 9 Health Service Investigation to fully examine what happened. We also welcome the announcement of a statewide urology taskforce, which will examine urology services across Queensland and the challenges that are being felt across the state.

We are determined to learn from this, to improve our systems, and to make sure it doesn't happen again.

If you have questions about your care, please contact our dedicated urology hotline on 4433 0396 between 8am and 4pm. A call-back service will also be offered.

28/10/2025

More than 80 intricately painted rocks displayed at the Townsville Sexual Assault Support Service have helped to send messages of hope, allyship and healing to victim-survivors during Queensland’s Sexual Violence Awareness Month.

The collaborative art project has been coordinated locally by the Sexual Assault Support Service (SASS), which is a key partner in the Townsville Region Sexual Assault Response Team (SART).

The Townsville Region SART is a partnership between the Townsville Hospital and Health Service, Queensland Police Service, SASS, and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions to provide a coordinated response for people who have experienced sexual violence that is immediate, specialist, integrated and sustained.

SART is based in Townsville and extends responses to victim-survivors within regional communities and continues to represent a best practice model in Queensland.

Clinical Forensic Medicine Unit nursing director Kadell Fotinos said the painted rocks create an art piece which would be displayed by the Sexual Assault Support Service.

"This project is a visual representation of our community standing in solidarity with victim-survivors," Ms Fotinos said.

The project was led by SASS member Maree La Spina who said each rock had been individually painted by victim-survivors and allies in the community.

“Together they form a single, powerful image of strength and resilience in line with the Queensland Sexual Assault Network theme of ‘together we can’,” Ms La Spina said.

"The act of creating art can be incredibly therapeutic, and the final piece will serve as a permanent, visible symbol of collective hope and support for everyone who walks through the doors of the Sexual Assault Support Service."

Townsville Hospital and Health Service acting chief executive Rex O’Rourke said the health service was a committed partner in the SART response.

"SART is a critical service for our community, ensuring victim-survivors receive a coordinated and compassionate response that integrates medical care, forensic services, and ongoing emotional and psychological support," Mr O’Rourke said.

"Our role in this partnership is to provide timely and sensitive medical and forensic care, and we work closely with our SART partners to ensure the entire journey for a victim- survivor is as seamless and supportive as possible.

“Initiatives like this art project are vital for raising awareness during Sexual Violence Awareness Month, helping to reduce stigma and encourage conversations that can lead to people seeking the help they need.”

SASS CEO Cathy Crawford, said Sexual Violence Awareness Month reminds us that preventing and responding to sexual violence is not the responsibility of one service alone – it requires a whole of community commitment.

“Every survivor deserves to be met with belief, safety and choice at every step,” Ms Crawford said.

“This is the very purpose of SART, where health, justice and community services can work together in a trauma and violence informed way to create a culture that refuses to tolerate sexual violence in our community.

“When we centre victim-survivors and act collectively, we can establish safety, justice and healing.”