Townsville Hospital and Health Service in Townsville, Queensland | Government organisation

Townsville Hospital and Health Service

Locality: Townsville, Queensland

Phone: +61 7 4433 1111

Address: 100 Angus Smith Dr, Douglas 4814 Townsville, QLD, Australia

Website: https://www.townsville.health.qld.gov.au

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25.01.2022 Acknowledging our past and working towards a healthier future: Our connection to country Townsville Hospital and Health Service’s facilities rest upon the lands of the Bindal, Wulgurukaba, Manbarra, Bwgcolman, Nywaigi, Warrgamay, Bandjin, Girramay, Juru, Gudjal, Wanamara, Woolgar Valley, Yerunthully and Yirandali people. A few tribes in the Townsville HHS region tell a similar story of the creation snake, traversing the land and leaving rivers and mountains in his wake.... For the Wulgurukaba people, the snake, Gubul, travelled down the Herbert River, went out to sea to create the Hinchinbrook channel before heading down to Palm and Magnetic Islands, leaving parts of his body behind. The tail of the snake is at Halifax Bay; his body is at Palm Island; and his head rests at Arcadia on Magnetic Island. For the Juru people, Gubulla Munda travelled through the waters, up to the dry land and rested. The perspiration of Gubulla Munda formed the hills, mountains, rivers and streams. Gubulla Munda then travelled back down to the water and again, rested. As Gubulla Munda moved through the waters, the droppings formed the islands. This year’s NAIDOC Week theme, Always Ways, Always Will Be, speaks to the spiritual and cultural connection that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have to the land where our staff now provide world-class care to their communities. NAIDOC Week is important to Townsville Hospital and Health Service, with one in three interactions in the HHS being with Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander peoples. Our vision is to improve health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples by providing visible and culturally competent and capable care that responds to the past mistreatment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people through a journey of awareness, education and engagement. Please join us in acknowledging the first people of this country, learning from those whose ancestors first walked this land 65,000 years ago, and working together to create a brighter, healthier future for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. #NAIDOC2020 #AlwaysWasAlwaysWillBe

25.01.2022 Foster kids and animals in need navigate their way into nurses’ hearts Personalised backpacks and baskets full of pet food are being placed under the Christmas tree by the Townsville University Hospital’s nurse navigators service this year, with the team embracing the giving season to help those in need. Nurse navigator Jill Yarrick, who has coordinated the donation drive for the third year in a row, said the team loved supporting these two charities. ... Each year we support local foster charities Wee Care and Angel Paws; it’s become a bit of a Christmas tradition for the nurse navigator team now and it’s something we really love doing, Jill said. For the foster kids, I contact the coordinator at Wee Care and each team member gets a foster child’s age, gender and a list of things they like, and we put together a backpack of socks, jocks, pyjamas, hats, reading books, toys and some lollies, personalised to that child. A lot of foster kids go into care with nothing but the clothes on their back; by giving these kids a backpack full of things of their very own it means no matter where they go, they will have something that is theirs. Jill said the team also gave pet supplies such as food, collars and kitty litter to local animal charity Angel Paws. We are all animal lovers in this team and most of us have actually adopted a pet from Angel Paws who has become a part of our family, she said. It’s heartbreaking to see so many animals dumped, and I know it gets particularly bad around Christmas time; these animals deserve a second chance and the work Angel Paws does to find these animals their fur-ever home is wonderful. Jill said though the nurse navigator team was small, they tried to give big. We’re a very close team; pulling together to support these charities is something we all genuinely love to do, Jill said. Christmas is a time for giving, and we give as much as we can in the hope we can make a difference to some children’s and animal’s lives. All the gorgeous kittens in this photo will be up for adoption soon. If you’re looking for a purrfect addition to your family, Angel Paws are holding a cat adoption day this Saturday, 28 November. To book in a time visit https://www.angelpawsinc.com.au/adoption-days.html. Althea Projects Inc. Angel-Paws Inc Animal Rescue North Queensland

24.01.2022 Residents of Magnetic Island now have the chance to have their voices on local healthcare heard with the establishment of the island’s very first Community Advisory Network (CAN). To express your interest in joining the Magnetic Island CAN please visit http://bit.ly/MagneticIslandCAN or call into the Magnetic Island Community Clinic to pick up an expression of interest form. Expressions of interest close at 5pm on 9 October 2020.

24.01.2022 Mental health support bolstered for stroke patients The physical challenges of life after a stroke are well documented but Townsville University Hospital is now providing additional mental health support for patients. Townsville University Hospital’s stroke ward has introduced mental health screening for all patients at the five-day and five-week mark of their recovery.... Advanced psychologist Matt Taylor, who will be providing the service, said the mental recovery from a stroke could be just as gruelling as the physical recovery. Life before and after a stroke is very different and that can place a huge amount of stress on people’s mental health, he said. We will now be screening every patient after five days to check if they have the signs of low mood, depression or anxiety and, if they do, I’ll be there to support them. Occupational therapist Ian Meade said in addition to hospital support, patients could also receive psychology outpatient follow-up. You can’t underestimate how big a change it is for people returning home and not being able to do things the same way they were used to, he said. Now we’ve got the ability to reach in when they are at home and make sure that any additional support, we can provide to help them adjust is provided. At both checks we also work closely with family members because we understand the pivotal role they play in supporting their loved one during the recovery. Mr Taylor said in Australia about 50 per cent of people who have a stroke show some signs of mood disorder when followed up via phone 90 days post discharge. Townsville’s acute stroke unit supports about 250 North Queenslanders every year.

24.01.2022 Julia Gillard gives Townsville doc nod of approval for mental health board A Townsville University Hospital psychiatrist has joined a former prime minister and a champion swimmer on the board of national mental health organisation Beyond Blue. Mental health service group medical director Dr Jason Lee, along with distinguished child and adolescent psychiatrist Professor Helen Milroy, is one of the organisation’s newest appointees to its board of directors.... Dr Lee said former Beyond Blue director Professor Michael Baigent notified him that Beyond Blue was seeking to fill two board positions. I accepted his invitation to have a conversation with Beyond Blue board chair former Prime Minister Julia Gillard, Jason said. During our conversation she talked about the importance of the board having representation from all states and territories as well as having board directors with psychiatric expertise. I discussed my perspective on mental health reform in the Australian context, my passion for supporting wellbeing and illness prevention as well as my clinical background in rural and remote and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mental health. In September, Ms Gillard told Jason he had been voted onto the board by the Beyond Blue membership at its annual general meeting. It was to my great surprise and a great honour. Beyond Blue has grown to become Australia’s most well-known mental health organisation. With its focus on depression, anxiety and suicide prevention and prioritisation of education, support and stigma reduction, joining the Board was a simple decision. It was something small I could do to support what the organisation offers our community and I’m honoured to be a voice for Queenslanders. Dr Lee said his position on the board would involve overseeing the strategic plan and looking at how the organisation enacted and promoted its culture and values. As a North Queenslander and a psychiatrist who has worked in rural, remote and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mental health I will advocate for and provide expertise in those areas. I hope to contribute to the evolution and continuing efforts of Beyond Blue to support all Australians to achieve their best possible mental health. Dr Lee said the appointment made him feel like a ‘tiny fish in a very large pond’. To be honest I feel like an intern again, he said.

23.01.2022 Veteran’s recovery eased thanks to furry friend A widowed veteran recovering in Townsville University Hospital has lost her heart to a furry, four-legged visitor whose owner is a fellow vet who regularly drops into TUH to lift the spirits of his fellow servicemen and women. Garth Murray and his Belgian Shepherd, Max, visit 80-year-old Barbara Irons regularly in the sub-acute care unit where she has been since June recovering from hip replacement surgery. ...Continue reading

23.01.2022 North Queensland, it's time to celebrate our health heroes You choose surgery because you want to fix the problem. People come to you with a health problem, you and your team perform an operation, and they go home without that problem and get on with their lives. That’s satisfying work. A lot of pressure, but a lot of reward as well. This year, our team has seen 300 people through the operating theatre. I look after people who need operations on their belly, brea...st or neck. Everyone reacts differently in the holding bay waiting to go in, you try to provide the reassurance they need and then do your job well. The most important thing is the patient currently on the table. When the job is done, we see our next patient. - Dr Andrew Evans, surgical registrar and health hero We'd also like to give a shoutout to Queensland Country Bank Stadium who will turn the stadium lights maroon tonight to mark this special week. #HealthHeroesWeek

21.01.2022 Public Health alert for Richmond Townsville Public Health Unit is responding to a shigella outbreak at Richmond State School where there have been 12 confirmed cases. Shigella infection is a serious form of gastroenteritis caused by a bacterium that attacks the intestines leading to diarrhea, abdominal pain or cramps and fever.... The illness is spread if you accidentally swallow the bacteria that is found in faeces, usually through not washing your hands properly after going to the toilet or changing diapers. Townsville Public Health Unit physician, Dr Julie Mudd said additional cleaning was being undertaken at Richmond School today as it is closed for a public holiday. Of the 12 cases, one was brought to Townsville University Hospital as a precaution and has since been discharged. The remaining 11 cases are recovering in the community. We are expecting a few more cases to be confirmed over the coming days but usually this infection burns itself out pretty quickly if people are careful to reduce the spread, she said. The message to the community is pretty simple and that is just to make hand hygiene a priority. It is especially important for parents to supervise young children to make sure they are washing their hands well after going to the toilet. Dr Mudd said public health had written to the school, local council and spoken with doctors at the local health service to ensure they are aware the illness was circulating the community. If people are sick with gastro-type symptoms they should keep up fluids and seek medical advice if required, she said. It is also important that people stay at home for a further 48 hours once their symptoms subside as the bacterium can be shed for a couple of days afterwards. Dr Mudd said Public Health was not recommending the school be closed and that the outbreak could be contained with community support. More information on shigella infection can be found at: https://www.health.qld.gov.au/cdcg/index/shigellosis Richmond Shire Council

21.01.2022 Can you tell a magnificent mo from a fashionable fraud? Today marks the end of Movember, where the lush lip fairies are at their most bountiful. For the first time in 2020, follicly-challenged staff were gifted fake mos so they could support the cause.... Movember is held every year to raise awareness and funds for men's health. Which is your favourite? Let us know below. #movember Movember

21.01.2022 One-eyed flying patient treater touches down A one-eyed flying patient treater has this week touched down at Townsville University Hospital’s medical imaging department, as part of a $5.8 million expansion. The four-tonne scanner was lifted to the front entrance of the medical imaging department by crane before a team of 10 assembled the machine on Sunday.... Director of medical imaging Gary Kershaw said the department typically did about 5,000 scans a year. MRIs incorporate impressive technology utilising extremely strong magnetic field (30,000 times stronger than the earths magnetic field) and radiofrequency pulses to produce detailed images of the anatomy, he said. This new MRI brings improved image resolution and scan speeds which will allow us to scan our sickest and youngest patients faster and will benefit all patients. Having access to a second MRI is an absolute red-letter day for our department and the team are excited to fire up the scanner early next year. Townsville Hospital and Health Board Chair Tony Mooney said the project marked a significant increase in medical investigation capacity for Townsville University Hospital. This is a major expansion in our capacity to do essential medical investigations to help diagnose a range of conditions including brain tumours, soft tissue injury, multiple sclerosis and infection, he said. As North Queensland’s major university hospital it is crucial that we are able to deliver medical imaging services that keep up with demand. The department is currently operating weekends to get through our workload and this extra machine will allow us to meet that demand with capacity to grow into the future. Townsville University Hospital’s MRI machine is used to treat emergency department patients as well as inpatients and outpatients. The project is funded by the state government with the construction work is being done by Paynters. Siemens

20.01.2022 "Remembrance Day is about the people who went before us": Townsville University Hospital pauses to reflect this Remembrance Day At the 11th hour, of the 11th day, of the 11th month, Townsville University Hospital staff, visitors, and patients, including current inpatient and Vietnam veteran Roy Florence, will pause for a minute’s silence to remember those who served. Roy served in the Royal Australian Air Force for six years from 1966, with a total of 476 days spent in wa...r zones in both Vietnam and Thailand. Back then there was compulsory two-year army service for males, so I decided to join the air force for six years instead so I didn’t have to join the army; I prefer to do it the hard way, Roy laughed. Joining the conflict in Vietnam formed part of Roy’s core military service, with the then 22-year-old airfield defence guard never giving much thought to how young he was. I’d check the perimeter, transport guards, that sort of thing, he said. It had its good moments and it had its bad moments; while I don’t keep in touch with everyone anymore, the people are something you never forget once you’ve served. One of my mates who I was in Vietnam with, who I still catch up with for dinner once a fortnight, when he first came back from service they wouldn’t let him into the RSL because he wasn’t old enough to drink; he wasn’t yet 21 but he was old enough to serve his country. Roy said for him, Remembrance Day was a time of quiet reflection. To me, Remembrance Day is more about the people who went before us, he said. I think it’s important to remember all the people who died before us to make our country a peaceful one. On any given day, around 18 inpatients of the Townsville University Hospital are veterans or war widows, with each one given a helping hand to prepare for their transition from the hospital back to their home by veteran liaison officer Cathryn Shephard. Veterans like Roy have given so much for their country and their communities; it’s so important that we are there to help however we can during their time of need, Cathryn said. My job is to help veterans and war widows connect with the right support networks such as ex-service organisations and the Department of Veterans’ Affairs. By coordinating appropriate clinical and community-based services we can help our veterans discharge from hospital and ease their transition back into the community. It’s been an honour to meet Roy, as it is an honour to meet every single one of our veterans and war widows; they are a truly unique group of health consumers and being able to play a part in their journey is very rewarding. The Brighter Lives volunteers’ desk at Townsville University Hospital will be selling knitted poppies from Tuesday, 10 November. All money raised will go to Legacy.

20.01.2022 Good news Townsville! In response to significant numbers of people through our 1300 Smiles community assessment drive-through testing clinic today, we will be opening the Reid Park community assessment drive-through testing clinic tomorrow, Sunday 10 January, at 8:30am. The clinic will be available to test the community members for COVID-19 until 3:00pm. Before you rush off to make plans to get tested at Reid Park tomorrow please be a aware of the following:... 1300 Smiles community assessment drive through testing clinic should still be your FIRST PREFERENCE for a testing location. Reid Park community assessment drive-through testing clinic will not be operating at its weekday capacity so please only attend this location if you absolutely must. Opening hours and locations: 1300 Smiles Stadium COVID-19 drive-through community assessment clinic Location: Eastern carpark of the 1300 Smiles Stadium in Kirwan. Opening hours: 8.00AM 6.00PM, seven days a week. Reid Park drive-through COVID-19 community assessment clinic Location: Reid Park, next to the Townsville Civic Theatre on Boundary Street. Please follow the signs. Opening hours: Special hours Sunday 10 January 2021: 8:30AM 3:00PM Monday-Friday: 8.00AM 4.00PM

20.01.2022 Our charity Brighter Lives is accustomed to giving on Thursday we can give back They’ve given us $1.2 million for our new children’s ward, a new surgical laser to treat burns and an immersive birthing experience. Brighter Lives has helped the Townsville Hospital and Health Service provide those little extras that make a big difference to our patients.... Tomorrow, Brighter Lives will hold its inaugural Giving Day which will see all community donations matched by donors. Money raised by the foundation is reimbursed back into health services for our community. To make a donation on Thursday 19 November visit: https://www.charidy.com/brighterlives #BrighterLives Brighter Lives Townsville Hospital Foundation

19.01.2022 Health Hero: Amanda Cooms "I’m a strong advocate for empowering our patients to make informed decisions about their health care. As an Aboriginal woman and a social worker, I’m passionate about culturally safe interventions with our patients, including educating clinicians across the service about cultural considerations when engaging with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. I believe it’s everyone’s responsibility to interact in a culturally safe way so ...we can improve outcomes for our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander service users, and I am happy to support staff in achieving this. I’m also really proud of the work I’ve done in substitute decision making. I’ve advocated for process and policy changes and education so that our patients are informed and actively involved in decision making to help with sustainable and safe hospital discharges. I’m proud to be a social worker with Townsville HHS and am honoured to support the North Queensland community. " - Amanda Cooms, social work medical team leader and health hero #HealthHeroesWeek

18.01.2022 Health Hero: Jarvis Paech Trust me to start my career in health the year there is an international pandemic. I graduated in December and it was my eight-week rotation at Townsville’s children’s ward that made me want to work with kids. I started here in January and it has been quite the introduction. There have been some brilliant moments. We had a patient spend more than 100 days with us and caring for that beautiful little girl and getting to know her Mum has... been so special, not just for me but for the whole team in paeds. The best thing about my job is seeing the kids go home well on their way to recovery. Probably the hardest thing this year was trying to explain and enforce visitor limits. There is nothing harder than telling a family member or friend that they can’t visit a sick child. Thankfully, Townsville has been so understanding of the health reasons for these restrictions earlier in the year, but it was tough, nonetheless. It is exciting starting a career in health and I look forward to a long career as a nurse. - Jarvis Paech, registered nurse children’s ward and health hero

18.01.2022 Tropical donation raises awareness this Prostate Cancer Awareness Month Relaxing palm trees and vibrant sunsets will become commonplace at Townsville University Hospital’s palliative care centre thanks to a generous donation of tropical shirts by local business, Shamrock Hotel. Hotel owner Margaret Sewell said she was inspired to fundraise after losing her husband Graeme to prostate cancer just over 12 months ago. ... One morning when I was visiting Graeme he was sitting up wearing this tropical shirt and it made him look so much brighter than when he was wearing the typical hospital gown, Margaret said. Seeing him look so bright was really uplifting for both myself and for him. Graeme passed away in April 2019, prompting Margaret to want to do something to not only help other patients, but also raise awareness for the disease. I organised some fundraising raffles and hung up a couple of tropical shirts in the bar so that in addition to raising money, it got people talking about prostate cancer, Margaret said. I don’t think people realise that getting tested for prostate cancer is non-invasive; it’s just a simple blood test. I urge men to be proactive and have this easy health check once a year; early detection can save lives. Graeme was 60 when he was diagnosed and by the time the doctors found it, the cancer had spread throughout his body. Graeme was a fighter though and had a really positive attitude; the doctors didn’t think he’d see six months but we enjoyed three-and-a-half years with him. Margaret said customers had rallied around the cause. We managed to raise enough money for 50 Shirts, Margaret said. The doctors and nurses still need to have the same access they would have in a typical hospital gown so we had to make alterations to the back so they could be slipped on front ways and tied at the back, some of which were altered by Linda Singh, at no cost to us. Townsville University Hospital palliative care centre coordinator of volunteers Marnie Coombes said the centre was delighted by the donation. In the palliative care centre our priority is the comfort of our patients and that includes their mental and emotional wellbeing, Marnie said. Being away from the comfort of your home and in a hospital environment can be difficult so creating a home-like environment is really important to everyone here in the centre. Something as simple as getting out of a traditional hospital gown and into something cheerful that still allows for the same practical aspects can make a mountain of difference to a patient’s outlook. We are very thankful to Margaret and the team at the Shamrock Hotel for helping make our patient’s day that little bit brighter.

18.01.2022 Older North Queenslanders have done it tough this year but we’ve been working hard to make it a little easier through our new Frailty Intervention Team (FIT). Today is International Day of Older Persons which marks the beginning of the United Nation's Decade of Healthy Ageing. In 2020, the theme aims to raise awareness of the health needs of older persons and the contributions they can make to their own health. The FIT team has supported more than 250 aged care reside...nts by providing emergency medical care in their own home. Operating seven days a week, this service offers specialist medical care and advice as an alternative to presenting to the Emergency Department. Since the service started in January, people in residential aged care facilities have been able to receive care for a range of conditions including falls, urinary tract infections, pneumonia, skin infections and support at the end of life. We are delighted to provide a service that has been so well-received by residents and their families. Happy International Day of Older Persons! Queensland Health

17.01.2022 CLOSES TOMORROW: North Queensland, what does it mean to grow old in our beautiful tropics? We're calling on seniors, elderly carers and those interested in how healthcare for the aged is being planned in our region to have their say. This short survey will only take a few minutes and allows us to hear about what you’re worried about, where gaps may exist and what we need to plan for. Together, we can continue to build a strong future for our elderly. Your views are important to us. Have your say here: http://bit.ly/consultationhub.

17.01.2022 A little packet of flavoured sugar is proving to be an indispensable treatment option for patients undergoing a stem cell infusion Townsville University Hospital’s 'Mentos toss’ is gaining traction as a favoured treatment option for patients. The little packets of goodness, produced by Perfetti van Melle, is used to combat a common side effect of stem cell infusions.... Stem cell infusions see healthy cells injected into the bloodstream where they get to work replacing cells or getting into the bone marrow and repairing damaged tissue. The stem cells are surrounded by a preservative that can cause a patient to get a tickly or sore throat and leaves a bad taste in the mouth, which is where the Mentos come in. Acting Oncology Nurse Unit Manager Sarah Neal said the feedback from the patients had been fantastic. Lollies have been proven to be an effective way to combat some of the most common side effects of infusions which is a sore throat and a bad taste in the mouth, she said. You can see the patients face light up when a nurse comes in clutching our huge container of Mentos. Sarah said the team kept the jar stocked but were hoping the #freshmakers might come to the party and help provide the treats moving forward.

16.01.2022 Health Hero: Victoria Seaton "Being a nurse in Townsville University Hospital’s dedicated COVID-19 ward has been challenging in ways I never expected. While we’ve been fortunate to not have had an abundance of COVID-19 in Townsville, each patient who has ended up in the ward had their own story and struggles. Being a patient on this ward is difficult; patients are isolated in negative pressure rooms without visitors and no human connection except for with staff. Becaus...e of this I made sure that each interaction I had with patients was positive. I would try to spend a bit longer with them to ensure their experience was nicer and took the time to get them the things they needed. If they needed basic groceries or books and puzzles to keep entertained, I did my very best to assist. Making sure these people had human interaction and weren’t left feeling alone truly made me feel like a health hero." - Victoria Seaton, registered nurse dedicated COVID-19 ward and health hero #HealthHeroesWeek

15.01.2022 Fancy seeing you here! Trio notch up collective milestone in Burdekin Forty years ago, Bertilla Scodellaro, Jocelyn Tuffin and Joanne McBow began their careers at the Ayr Health Service and little did they know they would still be working side by side four decades later. Bertilla, Jocelyn and Joanne were three of 29 staff recognised for a collective 605 years of dedication to healthcare in the Burdekin last week at the annual length-of-service ceremonies at Ayr and Home...Continue reading

15.01.2022 Just when you thought the stories of 2020 were over... Henry takes out 2020 intern of the year (we're just terrible at timeliness) Dr Henry Zimmerman was awarded the Peter Keary Intern of the Year Award 2020 for his outstanding contribution to teamwork and patient care. Director of clinical training Dr Danny Tucker said Henry’s integrity, excellent communication skills and proactive approach to work were the reasons behind the honour....Continue reading

15.01.2022 Burdekin residents - there's one week left to join our Community Advisory Network (CAN) and we're excited to hear from you. The CAN will allow you to positively contribute towards health care in your community. No experience is required and all expressions of interest are welcome. To express your interest in this unique position, simply head to https://bit.ly/BurdekinCAN or call into the Ayr Health Service or Home Hill Health Service to pick up a form.... Together we can make a difference. Expressions of interest close at 9am on Monday, 30 November 2020. Burdekin Shire Council

14.01.2022 Janice marks four decades Janice Blake has spent the better part of 40 years caring for people with head injuries and was this month acknowledged by surgical ward three for her years of dedication. Janice said she started as a trainee nurse in 1980 which led her to eventually finding neurosurgical nursing. ...Continue reading

13.01.2022 RAP review sees HHS making Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health a priority With almost eight per cent of the Townsville Hospital and Health Service (HHS) community identifying as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander, a strong plan to Close the Gap has been called out as a major priority for the HHS. 12 months ago, the HHS launched its inaugural Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) 2019-2021, with clear objectives and targets to help improve health outcomes f...Continue reading

13.01.2022 It was certainly double, double toil and trouble in the Children's Ward this week when siblings Teana (6) and Mozes (3) both found themselves admitted to the ward for different ailments. In a bid to trick or treat themselves, the devilishly-fun duo dressed up in their Halloween best, helped along by mum Ze Davis. "The kids are both in here for different reasons; Teana's visit was planned but Mozes found himself unexpectedly up in the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit afte...r things went awry with a dental abscess, so now he's here with his sister," Ze said. "As we're all stuck here in the Children's Ward we thought why not get dressed up and have some fun!'" Teana is an absolute Hallo-Queen in her witches outfit and Mozes 'pawsed' to choose between his pumpkin suit and his french bulldog onesie; we think he made the right decision! Front and centre is our wonderfully witchy Physiotherapist Lauren Rosmalen-Brinkley.

13.01.2022 Lauwana recognised for dedication to her people in 2020 Shine Awards Joyce Palmer Health Service renal nurse Lauwana Blackley has been recognised as a winner in the Weekly Times’ annual Shine Awards, beating out 290 other nominees and taking out the category of ‘Dedication’. The Shine Awards celebrate the accomplishments of women from across rural and regional Australia by awarding a winner across six categories: Passion, Belief, Spirit, Grace, Dedication and Courage.... Lauwana said she was surprised and delighted to have been nominated. I didn't know what a Shine award was. When I found out it was a national award and read about previous nominees and past winners I was blown away to have been included in a field of such amazing women, she said. I feel absolutely honoured to have been chosen as the winner of the Dedication category; looking after my own people is a reward in itself and I feel as though I am being celebrated for something that I really love to do. Lauwana said even though she usually shied away from the attention, she hoped that her story could offer some inspiration for other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women. I started work at the Palm Island hospital in 1999 as an Indigenous health worker and was inspired by other local health workers; my Aunt Bindy Geia and Barbie Baira who I call sister, she said. These women were amazingly skilled and I loved to watch them work; to learn from them was profound for me and they really did set me on my journey. I have met many healthcare professionals throughout my career that have each, in their own way, helped shape who I am and where I am today. I draw strength from other Indigenous nurses both past and present who work or have worked to improve the health of our people and I continue to walk beside them in the footsteps of those that came before us. I really hope another Bwgcolman person reads my story and is inspired to start their own journey, to go out and get their qualifications; not just in health but in all areas and bring those skills back home where they are needed. I hope that one day my footsteps will guide others down this pathway for the betterment of our people. Lauwana said she wanted to thank both the Weekly Times and Harvey Norman for the award. It is truly an honour to receive, she said. Read the full article here: https://www.weeklytimesnow.com.au//f07de7e2e0e48034b77fda7 The Weekly Times Palm Island Aboriginal Shire Council

12.01.2022 Health Hero: Dylan Parker It is pretty clear that people’s understanding of infection control has changed a lot this year. Previously, people saw us as the team who gave the flu shots and managed potential exposure. This year our visibility within the organisation just exploded. We were the first and only port of call for staff wanting answers in responding to this pandemic. Those first three months of the pandemic were something else. Suddenly, I wasn’t this lit...tle administration officer anymore there was an expectation that I sort things out and make things happen. This included helping set up a central personal protective equipment store, getting our administration systems in place for our pop-up clinics and drive-through clinics, and making sure that the team was insulated enough to be able to get on and do their jobs. I’m really proud of what our little team has been able to achieve this year and happy to have played my part. - Dylan Parker, infection control administration officer and health hero #HealthHeroesWeek

11.01.2022 Gather the robots - sepsis patients to be saved by tech team up Artificial intelligence could one day save a sepsis patients' life thanks to new technology at Townsville University Hospital. The new technology will allow clinicians to use Artificial Intelligence and algorithms to find improved ways of treating patients with potential cases of sepsis, which can be fatal if left untreated or undiagnosed.... Townsville University Hospital have collaborated with Westmead Hospital, eHealth Queensland and Clinical Excellence Queensland to use data from across the digital hospitals to allow for early identification of sepsis in patients. A big congratulations to everyone involved - it takes a team to save a life and we are very proud of this team effort. Western Sydney Health Queensland Health Clinical Excellence Queensland #artificialintelligence

11.01.2022 Pop-up clinic RELOCATED to Riverway Drive From tomorrow, 22 September 2020, the COVID-19 pop-up clinic will be located along Riverway Drive, between the Woolworths and laundromat carpark. WHERE: 1225 Riverway Drive, Rasmussen. Visible from the road. WHEN: 9AM - 2PM, Monday to Friday until 2 October. ... No appointment required. There will be no Strand pop-up clinic until further notice. #GetTestedTownsville Townsville Disaster Information

10.01.2022 Joan shares personal heartbreak this Dementia Action Week When Joan Brewer’s late husband Roy had a fall almost 10 years ago, the couple never thought a trip to hospital would end with a diagnosis of dementia. Over the next four years, Roy’s condition deteriorated until he passed away aged 79....Continue reading

10.01.2022 Townsville HHS research assistant and James Cook University nursing student Chloe Sobieralski will have her work cut out for her over this year’s uni break after being accepted into the National Health and Medical Research Council’s (NHMRC) 2020-2021 Indigenous Internship Program. The internship, runs from November to January, provides an opportunity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander undergraduate and post-graduate students to learn about government processes, ga...Continue reading

09.01.2022 Spotlight on veterans in new health pathway The future of healthcare for veterans in Townsville is looking up with the creation of a new, customised health pathway for GPs. HealthPathways senior clinical editor Dr Wai Lee said the health pathway acknowledged the complexity of veteran health.... The Australian Defence Force (ADF) provides healthcare to its members in service; however, when members transition to the civilian community they are faced with a health system that is complex and unfamiliar, Dr Lee said. Further to this, their health needs are unique as a result of their service and the task of navigating this can be tricky which highlights the important role that GPs play in veteran health. Dr Lee said the health pathway offered GPs the steps to take when treating veterans. Veterans face a diverse range of health issues and often their healthcare is provided across many different health care providers, both public, private and not-for-profit, he said. The health pathway offers GPs a guide when making decisions about the most beneficial referral pathway for veterans in their care. The pathway provides GPs a questionnaire to assess the veteran’s background and guides GPs on the entitlements of veterans based on their veterans’ gold, white and orange health care cards and on what are DVA-funded conditions. Dr Lee said the new pathway was pivotal to the health outcomes for veterans. The veteran community needs an integrated, coordinated approach to health care and this starts in the primary care sector with general practitioners, he said. It is vital that we as an acute health care facility work closely with GPs, the not-for-profit sector and the private sectors to promote clear pathways for care. Townsville Hospital and Health Service veteran liaison officer Cathryn Shepherd said the pathway was a positive step for veteran healthcare. My role as the veteran liaison officer is to facilitate the transition from hospital to the home by coordinating appropriate clinical and community services in line with DVA entitlements, she said. Part of this transition is ensuring that veterans have a GP to continue their healthcare in the community. A GP-driven health pathway for the veteran can only benefit their ongoing health needs. Dr Lee said the health pathway took 18 months to develop and was an important piece of work to provide quality, person-centred care that meets the needs of veterans and their families. This work was a collaboration with the North Queensland Primary Healthcare Network, Northern Australia Primary Health Limited and Operation compass, he said. This collaboration has resulted in a pathway that provides GPs comprehensive information to support veterans and their families. It also means that the GP community is better equipped to respond to the needs of veteran’s through their transition out of the ADF and beyond."

09.01.2022 Accreditation success for Eventide Eventide has passed national accreditation with flying colors securing four years’ unconditional accreditation for its standards of care from the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission. The 108-bed residential aged care facility in Charters Towers received a visit from independent national assessors from 29 September to 1 October 2020.... Rural service group director Ruth Heather said meeting all the aged care quality standards was a huge tribute to the staff at Eventide. I remember getting a call from the director of nursing as soon as the visit was over and she said very simply: ‘we absolutely kicked butt’, Ruth laughed. It means so much to every member of staff at Eventide that our residents are cared with respect, dignity and skill in their final years. I’m really proud that during a really tough year and with all the focus on aged care that we’ve been able to return such a positive result. In Australia, residential aged care facilities are required to be regularly accredited to ensure it is meeting key standards and criteria for care. The standards are consumer dignity and choice, ongoing assessment and planning with consumers, personal care and clinical care, services and supports for daily living, organisation’s service environment, feedback and complaints, human resources and organizational governance. Townsville Hospital and Health Service chief executive Kieran Keyes said accreditation visits were a major undertaking and site visits occurred without any notice being given. In three days, Eventide was put under the microscope across more than 200 criteria and we met all of them, he said. This accreditation recognises the enormous contribution that our staff give while providing safe, quality care to our patients.

09.01.2022 Following further advice from the chief health officer there is additional advice for people who have returned from Greater Brisbane on or after January 2 If you have returned from Greater Brisbane on or after January 2 and DO NOT have symptoms of COVID-19, you DO NOT need to get tested. You only need to comply with the same lockdown restrictions as those residing in Greater Brisbane and stay home except for essential activities until Monday 11 January 6:00pm. Testing i...s only required for those who have returned from Greater Brisbane and do have symptoms consistent with COVID-19. If while you were in Greater Brisbane you visited any of the locations listed in the public health alert you are asked to get tested even if you do not have symptoms. For details of the public health alert locations please click here: https://www.qld.gov.au//cor/current-status/contact-tracing Symptoms include: Fever Cough Sore throat Shortness of breath Runny nose Fatigue Vomiting or nausea Loss of smell and/or taste Diarrhoea Opening hours and locations: 1300 Smiles Stadium COVID-19 drive-through community assessment. Please make this testing location your first preference. Opening hours: 8.00AM 6.00PM, seven days a week. Reid Park drive-through COVID-19 community assessment clinic Opening hours: Special hours Sunday 10 January 2021: 8:30AM 3:00PM - Please only attend this location today if absolutely necessary. Monday-Friday: 8.00AM 4.00PM As always Townsville, please remember to be patient and courteous while you wait for your test Don’t forget to bring water to stay hydrated and snacks to keep your energy levels up

08.01.2022 IT phone home in biggest hospital mission yet A war council of technicians descended on Townsville University Hospital at the weekend to perform the most significant update of telephony infrastructure in a decade. The update includes new software for 4,000 landlines and 1,631 cordless phones across all Townsville Hospital and Health Service sites.... It also included a major hardware update to Townsville University Hospital’s switchboard, which fields more than 15,000 calls a week. Director of Information Technology Services Barry Koch said the upgrade was exceptionally complex and was six months in planning. The big challenge was being able to do this upgrade with people still being able to call the hospital and having our staff still be able to contact clinicians, he said. All up our cordless phones were done for 30 minutes as were our fixed phones, with diverts in place both times. We had to identify the critical areas and worked for days and days to minimise the impact as much as possible. Ultimately the sign of success was no one noticing it happened which is a great testament to the team. Principal project manager with eHealth Queensland, Howard Worthington, said even though it wasn’t flashy, telephony remained the single biggest communication tool for hospitals. The switchboard and telephony systems of any hospital are one of the most critical systems, he said. This upgrade will increase and improve the functionality and stability of the system while also building in additional redundancy to fight against outages. Upgrades like this are essentially replacing the brain that drives the ability for the public to communicate with the hospital. Mr Koch said the upgrade also laid crucial fundamentals to further increase the digital capacity of the telephony network across the hospital. The benefit of this new software and hardware is that it provides the latest technology for us to build upon, he said. The weekend was basically constructing a new road. The asphalt is now in place but there is plenty of scope to further build upon it. Ultimately, this new software gives us the capability to allow our clinicians to access more programs and applications on a single device. The upgrade was completed in three phases on Saturday and Sunday with 14 staff from eHealth Queensland, Townsville Hospital and Health Service and contractor Nexon Asia Pacific.

07.01.2022 Our Health Happenings is a brilliant display of hope, courage and innovation across the health service. Read as we cover life-changing services, bust some infection control myths and bring help closer to home for new and expecting mums. READ the full version here: http://bit.ly/HHSepOct

07.01.2022 Have you read the latest edition of our Health Happenings newsletter? It's filled with beautiful and inspiring stories, such as our cover story on our 'Little Legend' Maharu. Maharu was born weighing 450g and has kicked so many goals since then. We also cover award-winning projects, crucial advice from our emergency department, news from our wonderful consumer groups and so much more. READ: http://bit.ly/Health-Happenings-nov-dec... Let us know what you think!

07.01.2022 The campaign saving Queensland children from a fatal, yet often unrecognised, complication Townsville University Hospital paediatric endocrinologist and Chair of the Type 1 Diabetes Working Group Dr Jason Yates has spearheaded a campaign to raise parental awareness of a potentially fatal complication of type 1 diabetes. Jason said diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) occurred when the body didn’t produce enough insulin and was a fatal complication of type 1 diabetes.... Without enough insulin, the body breaks down fat as fuel creating dangerous levels of acids called ketones in the bloodstream, Jason said. The risk of going into DKA if type 1 diabetes in a child isn’t diagnosed or treated in time is high. And a child in DKA could die. Developed in the Townsville HHS, with the tagline ‘ iabetes now the signs sk’, the campaign was launched on World Diabetes Day, 14 November. The campaign called out the ‘4Ts’ of a type 1 diabetes diagnosis toilet, thirst, tired and thinner - and we were staggered by the reach of the message, Jason said. The major take-home message was for parents to speak to their GP and request a finger-prick blood glucose test if their child was showing any of the 4T signs. The message to GPs was that recognising even one of the symptoms in a child was a reason to do the test. As a doctor I’d trust a parent’s intuition every time; if, as a parent, your child has these symptoms and you are worried please ask your GP for a finger-prick test." Local parent Micki Grant knows the dangers of DKA all too well, with her baby boy Jaxon diagnosed at just 20 months old. I had taken him to two GPs and explained that Jaxon was peeing through his nappy onto his sheets and that he was constantly wanting to drink; they both assured me that this was what babies do, Micki said. After six weeks, he was lethargic, he went off his food, and had lost heaps of weight. I knew there was something wrong; he had gone from running around playing like a normal, energetic toddler to sleeping all the time, not walking, and not talking. For Micki, the DKA experience was traumatic and something she doesn’t want any other family to go through. Because Jaxon went into DKA, he lost his ability to speak and it took a long time for him to recover those toddler milestones, she said. Thankfully, he’s great now; he’s really come back. I urge everyone to recognise the symptoms and have the finger-prick blood glucose test; it could save a child’s life."

07.01.2022 Our smallest hospital makes big NAIDOC impression Check out this amazing NAIDOC display from our small and remote Richmond Hospital. Richmond is 500 kilometres west of Townsville, has a population of 650 and it’s 10-bed hospital is manned most shifts by two nurses, three operational services officers and a GP.... A local staff member Tracey Lively worked with the town’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait community to produce the artwork for the display. It includes works from elders, school students, patients and the wider community. Director of nursing Judy Brown said creating the display had brought the community together. NAIDOC Week 2020 runs from November 8 to November 15, with the theme, "always was, always will be".

07.01.2022 How good is this? Townsville University Hospital’s children’s ward staff dressed up as Disney characters today to bring a smile to our youngest patients. Tune in to WIN News Townsville tonight at 6pm to hear from our resident Mad Hatter about what the day means to young patients like Isabella Petersen who is in hospital recovering from a broken arm.

06.01.2022 School leavers urged to remember the basics Senior clinicians from Townsville Hospital and Health Service have urged school leavers to remember the basics as they celebrate the completion of their secondary education this weekend. Emergency department director Dr Luke Lawton said for many students, the end of year celebration was often the first trip independent of their parents, but poor choices could lead to devastating consequences....Continue reading

05.01.2022 Ingham health service celebrates NAIDOC with traditional dishes Mouth-watering meals and delicious damper were on offer to Ingham Health Service staff this NAIDOC week with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health team preparing a daily dish of traditional food to spark a conversation and celebrate Indigenous culture. Senior health worker Diana Friday said the initiative was linked to this year's NAIDOC theme, Always Was, Always Will Be. ... "Always Was, Always Will Be speaks to the land, the sea and the ocean that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders connect with," she said. "We wanted to give staff at the hospital a taste of traditional food from the land and invite them to celebrate Indigenous culture." Diana said the feasts, which included coconut damper, kuppa murri-style meat and veg, and taro, were a welcome treat. "Our staff here are really great," Diana said. "They aren't afraid to come and ask questions about Indigenous culture and are committed to educating themselves to better serve their community. Diana said in addition to the foods on offer, the team had put together a NAIDOC display in the community health facility. "Our health service rests on the lands of the Nywaigi, Warrgamay and Bandjin people so we’ve taken native fruits that grow in the area and put them on display, she said. It’s been a really great opportunity to educate the community about the local area, and celebrate our connection to country. NAIDOC Week runs from 8 November to 15 November.

05.01.2022 Townsville, we understand there have been rumours that a staff member from a local childcare centre has recently returned from Adelaide and has tested positive for COVID-19. This is not true. There are no cases of COVID-19 in Townsville. If Townsville records a case of COVID-19 and there is a risk to the public, the community will be informed immediately via official channels such as this Facebook page or from Queensland Health officials via the media. Townsville, you’ve done a great job keeping COVID-19 out of our community. Remember to stay vigilant, and if you have symptoms, get tested.

05.01.2022 Working together to keep our remote communities safe Dr Steven Donohue, from the Townsville Public Health Unit, travelled to Doomadgee and Mornington Island last week to 'bump elbows' and discuss COVID-19 prevention and response planning. The visits provided an opportunity to speak with civic leaders, health workers and the general community about their preparedness for cases of COVID-19.... Dr Donohue said discrete communities like Mornington Island and Doomadgee had unique challenges in responding to pandemics. The visit was a really great opportunity to hear firsthand about how these communities were tracking in their preparedness, he said. I got some great feedback particularly around how we do health promotion in these communities. Next week I’m heading back to follow-up with these communities about their COVID-19 preparations and communication. Townsville Public Health Unit covers a huge area of North and West Queensland from Mackay to Mount Isa to Townsville. Dr Steven Donohue and Mornington Island Shire Council Mayor, Kyle Yanner.

05.01.2022 Little legend the tiniest of them all The tiniest surviving baby born at Townsville University Hospital (TUH) in more than a decade is now a touch over 100 days old and quadruple her birth weight, earning her the title of ‘little legend’ from besotted neonatal staff. Born at 26 weeks and five days weighing less than a tub of butter at an incredible 450g, baby Maharu Ross is now more than 2kg and big enough to enjoy cuddles from her adoring parents Cooktown couple Dora H...arrigan and Jayden Ross. Dora and her beautiful preterm born baby girl Maharu are participants of the Kidneys of the Maternal Infant and Neonate study. TUH, in collaboration with the NHMRC and Newcastle and James cook Universities, have joined together for this closing the gap initiative looking into mothers and their newborn babies kidneys and kidney function throughout the first two years of life. The research also looks at the correlation of the microvasculature of the eyes through retinal imagery and the kidneys. This research is open to any one pregnant and delivering within the Townsville University Hospital Service. Along with Dora the team currently have 260 mother participants and many more beautiful babies. Their aim is to involve 400+ mothers and mothers to be. If you would like to be a part of this initiative please contact the KidMIN team on 0484 897 555, 0408 812 748 for more information or visit the Facebook page LINK: http://bit.ly/KIDMINstudy National Health and Medical Research Council - NHMRC @JCU: James Cook University, Australia #NICU

04.01.2022 Future healthcare-leader Lauren awarded fellowship honour Ingham oral health therapist Lauren Hawley has become the first oral heath clinician in Queensland to be accepted into a Healthcare Improvement Fellowship aimed at creating future leaders in health. Lauren beat out 200 other applicants to become one of only eight fellows offered a place in the fellowship which is open to medical officers, nurses, midwives, allied health practitioners and dental officers. ... Lauren said she was excited to have been accepted into the 12-month program. The fellowship will provide theoretical knowledge and practical expertise, provide an opportunity to build our networks and learn from colleagues, and guide us to become positive change agents in our areas, Lauren said. The program will be a mixture of online and face-to-face learning; I’m especially looking forward to meeting the seven other fellows and learning from them and their experiences. Lauren currently works as an Oral Health Therapist in the school dental service, caring for students in the Ingham region stretching from Kennedy to Toobanna. I really like working with kids; they’re a lot of fun, Lauren said. I’m a big advocate for getting kids to look after their oral health, early. By getting kids familiar with going to the dentist and creating positive experiences we can help to reduce dental phobia later in life. Lauren said she loved her line of work. I’m passionate about dental health and I’m hoping this fellowship will teach me some really valuable skills to improve health care delivery not just for our dental patients, but for Townsville HHS as a whole, she said. I want to find ways to tell people about our service, and to make dental health care more accessible, particularly for those who have a phobia of dental treatment. The fellowship kicks off in March 2021 and will run until February 2022.

04.01.2022 Residents of the Burdekin now have the chance for their voices to be heard on local healthcare with the establishment of a Community Advisory Network (CAN). To express your interest in joining the Burdekin CAN please visit http://bit.ly/BurdekinCAN or call into the Ayr Health Service or Home Hill Health Service to pick up an expression of interest form. Expressions of interest close at 9am on Monday, 30 November 2020.... Burdekin Shire Council

03.01.2022 Townsville mums given a helping hand For the first time in North Queensland, new and expecting mums in Townsville will have access to the White Cloud Foundation’s Meals for Mums program, which provides immediate support to women who are experiencing, or are at risk of experiencing, perinatal depression. Chair of White Cloud Foundation, Professor Adam Scott said the Meals for Mums program aimed to deliver practical mental health support to new and expecting mothers throu...gh home-delivery of 14 free nutritious meals and access to phone support. Sadly, Queensland has the highest rate of perinatal depression in Australia and depression is the leading cause of death in women during pregnancy and the first year after giving birth," he said. At White Cloud Foundation we are determined to change this statistic. Through this program, we also work with nurses, social workers and other allied health staff to identify mums who need some extra support, and connect them with services that will be helpful to them. Professor Scott said perinatal depression affects one in six new mothers and one in ten new fathers. With the impact of COVID-19, we have seen a 190% increase in demand for the Meals for Mums program during the first half of 2020, he said. So far this year we have delivered meals to over 300 new mums; that’s 300 women and their families who were struggling to cope. "We know a little practical support in those difficult times can go a long way. The program has been funded solely through community fundraising activities so far, with a Queensland Government grant this year making it possible to expand the program to Townsville, while keeping up with increased demand for support. Townsville University Hospital was delighted to host the White Cloud Foundation yesterday and look forward to this service being delivered in North Queensland. White Cloud Foundation

01.01.2022 Health Hero: Bianca Beattie "We can forget how much difference a bit of friendliness can make. The work in the emergency department doesn’t end. It is full on from start to finish every shift for the doctors, nurses, patient handlers and the cleaners. For many patients there can be a bit of a fear factor associated with talking to a doctor or a nurse. I can start a conversation with anyone. Every time I squeeze into one of our patient bays to clean, I make sure I say he...llo. The cool thing about my job is that you can see how much a bit of normal interaction can take away some of the fear and anxiety for patients. Even just helping people find their way around the department. These aren’t big things, but they make a difference. My favorite quote is, 'there are no unimportant jobs, just people who feel unimportant in their jobs'." - Bianca Beattie, emergency department cleaner and health hero #HealthHeroesWeek

01.01.2022 What does NAIDOC Week mean to you? We asked our wonderful staff what NAIDOC Week meant to them and we were touched by the heartwarming answers we received. NAIDOC Week 2020 will run from November 8 to November 15, with the theme, "always was, always will be".