blah blah blah
Long-term staff celebrated
Kieran Keyes and Tony Mooney awarding Katrina Roberts her length of service award for 40 years of dedicated work
Story & Photos on Page 3 & 4
Dear colleagues,
As another fortnight draws to a close, and I realise there aren’t that many sleeps until Christmas, it leaves me wondering how the year could have gone so fast?
Because it’s that time of year it’s important we do the usual disaster season preparations. This means making sure your contact details are up to date in myHR and with your line manager and if your unit has a particular role to play with disaster management, that you are aware of the various disaster response plans that you support. It also means being ready at home, especially with emergency supplies and making sure the property is ready to withstand severe weather. I know we all had a good practice run earlier this year for Kirrily, but it’s critical we don’t get complacent. The Townsville Disaster District will have held a briefing by the time this column is published, which will include the long-range forecast from the BOM.
This fortnight we farewelled two long-serving physicians, Dr Yong Mong Tan and Dr Robert Norton. Both have been leaders in their respective fields and it was a privilege to listen to their final Grand Rounds presentations. Dr Tan shared a photo of the medical staff in 1977, back in the day when all of the medical staff could fit in one photo! It reinforced for me how Townsville has been fortunate to have doctors like Dr Tan and Dr Norton who have made such a contribution over a long period of time. We all wish them both the happiest of retirements.
On long service, we had a special length of service awards this fortnight, recognising colleagues who have served for more than 20 years. My first job back from annual leave was to take all of the certificates home to sign and I’ve said before, I feel fortunate that I can recognise many of the names on the certificates. As I observed at the ceremony, we often talk about hospital buildings and expansions, or new services and technology, all of which are really important. However, it’s our people who create the fabric of what we do, so the fact that we are blessed with colleagues who serve their community for this length of time is pretty special and not something seen in every industry.
The annual research symposium was held on the 1st October and for once I wasn’t away on annual leave, so I enjoyed the opportunity to get to the opening as well as to pop into the shark tank event. I really enjoyed listening to Professor Clair Sullivan talking about the pace of change, especially digital change, and the implications for clinicians and health services. The shark tank research translation challenge was just excellent. As chief executive my day and week is pretty varied, and the nature of the role means that there’s often lots of really challenging things to deal with. So the opportunity to listen to pitches from some of our brightest clinicians gave me a real boost (even after being conscripted to participate in a demonstration). Well done to everyone involved.
This week has been Mental Health Week and I’ve heard lots of very positive feedback on Mark McConville’s Laughter Clinic and the broader expo. The take-home message is the importance of self care, which for a group of people committed to the caring of others, is often overlooked. Caring for the carers is not a new theme, many of you will be familiar with the expression ‘Physician heal thyself’ from the Bible and it has even more ancient non-Christian references. No matter how old the message, it is as important now as ever, so my thanks to Dr Raj and to Gaylene for their efforts in bringing this event to Townsville and helping to care for the carers.
On the theme of wellbeing, my favourite event of the year, Talkin Table Tennis, is just around the corner. As per usual, Stephen Eaton and I have left our training program a bit too late. Its always a bit of fun and I’d encourage people who can get to the heats at RDA to register.
Our staff thank you events are continuing, on Monday I’m looking forward to getting over to Palm Island and the following week I will be going to Ingham, Ayr and Home Hill.
Kieran Keyes Health Service Chief Executive
Length of service awards
Kieran Keyes, Kelvin Robertson, Niall Small, Paul Kwa
Kieran Keyes, Kelvin Robertson, Katrina Roberts, Julie Gordon
Length of service awards
Sharon Fraser, Raibhan Yadav, Nathan Engstrom
Michele Moretto and Marie Moretto
Danielle Hornsby, Joanne Stitt, Wendy Comben
Katrina reflects on four decades in healthcare
For 40 years Katrina Roberts has embraced every opportunity presented to her while working in healthcare.
The Townsville Hospital and Health Service (HHS) director of nursing newborn, children, and adolescent services was one of 600 staff members recognised this week for their length of service with Queensland Health.
Katrina said while she had been in various roles over the years, her dedication to helping people has never changed.
“For most of my career I have worked with women and children which has been very special,” she said.
“Nursing and midwifery have provided me with amazing opportunities for personal and professional growth.
“It is a privilege to provide care and support to our children and families in our local community and across north Queensland and it’s rewarding to see patients living happy and healthy lives.
Katrina started her career in healthcare in 1984 as a student nurse.
She said there had been many changes to healthcare and one of the biggest had been the adoption of new technologies and equipment to provide care.
“While the technology has helped us in monitoring and caring for patients, the fundamentals of providing care have not changed with a focus on kindness and compassion,” she said.
“I’ve been fortunate in my career, starting in the children’s ward and later specialising in midwifery and neonatal nursing, eventually moving into leadership and management.
“It’s been a privilege to be able to spend my career working with and being supported by wonderful colleagues and teams.
“It is a great honour to be able to provide the same support now through mentoring and supporting others in their careers.”
Townsville HHS chief executive Kieran Keyes said Katrina had positively touched countless lives during her career working with women and children.
“She continues to show great dedication to helping others and her willingness to take on new challenges is inspirational,” Kieran said.
“Katrina is an asset to the health service, and her leadership and expertise have been instrumental in providing exceptional patient care.
“I want to congratulate her and the more than 600 Townsville HHS team members for their years of hard work and dedication.”
Director of nursing newborn, children, and adolescent services
Katrina Roberts receving her award for 40 years of service
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Top 10 ranks for two TUH staff
Two Townsville University Hospital (TUH) staff have achieved incredible results at the recent marathon age group world championships held at the 2024 Sydney marathon.
Acting director psychology Bridget Webber and nurse navigator paediatrics rehab and restorative care Liz Maguire have both ranked inside the top 10 in the country for their age groups.
Liz, who ranked third for Australia in the women’s 55-59 bracket with a time of 3:08:53, said the hilly Sydney course proved to be challenging.
“I’ve raced in Sydney a couple of times and people said they’ve flattened out the hills, but what they did is take the old course, turn it around and make it really hilly in other parts so the course is hillier than it ever used to be!” she said.
“It makes it all worth it for the stunning views, running over the Sydney Harbour Bridge, around the harbour and finishing in front of the Sydney Opera House.
“The course designed in Sydney is iconic and provides an amazing experience for all competitors, especially as it is a candidate to become the seventh Abbott world marathon major, alongside the likes of London and New York.”
Bridget, who ran 3:11:06 to rank ninth in Australia for the women’s 45-49 bracket said she didn’t know how close she was to making the qualifying time of 3:13.
“I hadn’t done any hill training so I didn’t know how I’d go,” Bridget said.
“They say the marathon starts at 35 kilometres and we had a hilly part from the 38th to 40th kilometre coming up from the botanical gardens.
“At this point you’re trying to manage the fatigue and still hold a decent pace. The last bit was downhill and thankfully that pulled me through.”
Both ladies’ times means they will receive invitations to the 2025 age group world championships next year at the New York marathon, an opportunity that Liz won’t be passing up.
“I missed out on London because of covid but I did the age group championships in Chicago last year,” Liz said.
“I just loved the experience, but I hear that New York’s pretty special.
“I also have a daughter in Canada so it’s a steppingstone to visit her as well.”
As for Bridget, she said her family will have to come first before she can consider the trip to New York.
“My kids have a lot of commitments which I need to consider before prioritising a holiday overseas. I probably won’t have the capacity to head to New York,” she said.
“But there’ll be opportunities to qualify again, another time.”
The 2025 marathon age group world championships will take place at the New York marathon on Sunday 2 November 2025
Congratulations Bridget and Liz on your achievements!
Liz Maguire and Bridget Webber with their medals from the 2024 Sydney marathon
Newborn hearing screening celebrates two decades
Twenty years of newborn hearing screening was celebrated on October 4 with a morning tea for the healthy hearing program team.
Acting nursing director for neonates, children and adolescents Deanna Ward said this was a significant milestone.
“In the past 20 years the team has screened more than 47,400 babies,” she said.
“This screening plays a key role in the early detection of newborns with hearing loss in north Queensland.”
Healthy hearing program acting clinical nurse consultant Jewelie-Anne Eldridge said the healthy hearing program team was passionate about their role.
“Approximately two in every 1000 newborns nationally are born with significant hearing loss that requires intervention,” she said.
“This highlights the importance of screening each and every baby born.
“Our role is a rewarding one and it is a privilege to be a reassuring presence for families during their baby’s hearing screen.”
Deanna said she was proud of the thousands of screens performed by the team in the past two decades.
“I credit the past 20 years and the success of this service to an incredibly dedicated group of nurses and midwives,” she said.
“Twenty years is no small amount of time, and it was important to recognise the work of this service.
“I look forward to seeing what the next 20 years brings for the program.”
Sharne Partridge, iona McCormack, Ashlea Turnham, Jewelie-Anne Eldridge, Rachel Jackson, Honey Newman, and Deanna Ward
Recognising the behind-the-scenes legends
Teams at Townsville University Hospital (TUH) recently celebrated Operational Services Week to recognise the essential contributions of operational staff who keep the hospital running.
The food services and operational services teams organised a BBQ for operational staff to take time out of their busy shifts to connect and appreciate one another’s work.
Food services manager Daniel Langridge said it was important to acknowledge operational staff who work hard behind the scenes.
“Understandably, people can often focus on the work of clinical staff and the great job they do, but operational staff also play a very crucial role in supporting patient care,” Daniel said.
“Without them, we wouldn’t have clean facilities, meals for patients, or timely patient movement.
“These key tasks ensure the hospital’s day to day operations are efficient and the hospital continues to provide a high level of service.
The support services team also got together for a lunch to present staff with excellence awards and recognise members of the team going above and beyond everyday.
Support services manager Amanda Douglas said it was important to take the opportunity to say thank you to staff.
“Support service staff are often the first face of the hospital, which is important for making patients feel comfortable,” she said.
The special golden cart was also awarded, with the operating theatre cleaning team John Dowman, Doreen Parrison, and Les Young taking out the win!
John Dowman said he was excited to receive the win after 40 years of working in operational services at both TUH and rural sites.
“The team and I work hard to ensure the operating theatres are always at the highest standard of cleanliness possible, so its nice to be rewarded with this recognition,” John said.
Lisa Pearse, Daniel Langridge, Santhosh Kesavan, Julie Walker, Sharni Coonan, and Alec Stevens
Townsville Hospital and Health Service blah blah blah Page
John Dowman and Les Young with the golden cart
Renee back at Eventide after Western Australia adventure
There’s no place like home for Eventide’s director of nursing Renee Paterson who has returned to Charters Towers after spending 18 months in western Australia.
Renee left the position of director of nursing at Eventide in 2022 to move to Perth with her family to take up the opportunity of being the state manager for a private residential care organisation.
She said while she loved the challenge, her and her family missed life back in Charters Towers.
“I was working on some really great projects, including having input into the construction and opening of a new 144 bed facility,” Renee said.
“The job was very demanding, with a lot of 12-to-15 hour days which meant I was spending less time with my family.
“Living in a city like Perth also meant everything was so far away so we were always driving to get somewhere and do something.
“After a while I thought is this what I really want for me and my family?
“And that’s when we decided to move back to Charters Towers.”
Renee said the timing worked out well when they started to plan their move back to Queensland.
“A position was advertised for the director of nursing role, and I was familiar with the job, so I applied, got offered the position, and we moved,” she said.
“Coming back to Eventide felt like I had found my place in the world.
“I was grateful to see so many familiar, happy faces which made me feel like I never really left.
“I became a nurse to help vulnerable people like the elderly and working at Eventide allows me to do that.”
Eventide director of nursing Renee Paterson
Researchers on display at 2024 TropiQ research symposium
Townsville Hospital and Health Service (THHS) researchers were on display at this year’s TropiQ Townsville Research Symposium, held in the Robert Douglas Auditorium.
The symposium highlighted and celebrated research activities by health service staff and clinical researchers in the region to foster collaboration and translate research into clinical practice benefitting the local community in northern Queensland.
A full program, which included plenary speakers and oral and poster presentations, showcased the diversity of HHS researchers and promoted robust conversation and engagement from those in attendance.
Townsville Institute of Health Research and Innovation director of clinical research Professor Andrew Mallett said it was a testament to the health service’s championing of local researchers.
“The symposium celebrates excellence and the great things that people are doing,” he said.
“It helps build connections and is a major pillar in the research culture of the organisation.
“There was opportunity for people to engage, discuss with colleagues, and ask questions.
The symposium also featured the ever popular “shark tank” which saw six groups from across the HHS present ideas to a panel of judges to receive funding to help launch their innovation projects.
Pelvic health physiotherapist Rebecca Tapiolas, who pitched a postnatal exercise class, said the event was a great opportunity to identify gaps in care that the health service could improve upon.
“It helps improve our overall service to continue our focus on person-centred care and keep us competitive with other Queensland Health facilities,” Rebecca said.
“Getting up to present is always a bit nerve wracking when you’re speaking in front of a large group but once you get over the initial rush and people start to engage it makes you feel more comfortable on the stage.”
Kaye Hewson, Prof Paul Scuffham, Prof Clair Sullivan and Prof Andrew Mallett
Researchers recognised at 2024 excellence awards
The research efforts of Townsville Hospital and Health Service (THHS) staff were celebrated at the 2024 Townsville Institute of Health, Research and Innovation (TIHRI) Research Excellence Awards.
Held in conjunction with the TropiQ Research Symposium, the awards recognise the achievements of north Queensland researchers across the health service.
TIHRI director of clinical research Professor Andrew Mallett said the quality of nominations spoke volumes of the work being done in the region.
“Across the four categories, the number and richness of those nominations is growing which is fantastic to see,” he said.
“The awards are meant to recognise the work that people are doing in an authentic way and in a way that people value.
“We’re about three or four years down the track from establishing the awards and they are starting to gain a lot of traction.
“There are so many great things happening in the health service, and with so many of the staff engaged in research, it’s a perfect way to recognise them.”
Professor Mallett was also the recipient of Researcher of the Year, a nomination submitted by his colleagues to recognise his ongoing commitment to his research projects in addition to his role as director.
“My approach has always been that the director of research is never the story and it’s always been about wanting to support and recognise the broader staff.
“A key part of what I do to remain credible in that role is continue my own research career which has been going from strength to strength in the background.
“It’s really humbling be recognised like that by my colleagues.”
The award recipients on the night were:
Researcher of the Year - Andrew Mallett
Research Group of the Year - TUH Emergency Medicine Research Team led by Vinay Gangathimmaiah and Courtney West
Rising Star Award - Vinay Gangathimmaiah
Research Support Award - Leanne Griffiths
TIHRI director of clinical research professor Andrew Mallett
First of Clinical Service Upgrades to open soon
The first of three major clinical service upgrades is weeks away from taking its first patient at Townsville University Hospital.
The new $6.6m Outpatients Department is due to be open by the end of October and will deliver a boost for diabetes and endocrinology services for the region.
Townsville Hospital and Health Service (HHS) medical service group clinical director Dr Kunwarjit Sangla said the Outpatient Department will help with meeting the rising demand for diabetes and endocrinology services.
“The opening of the new Outpatients Department space is a very proud moment for all of us who’ve worked hard behind the scenes to deliver tertiary-level diabetes and endocrinology services for the people of north Queensland,” Kunwarjit said.
“We wanted to create a diabetes and endocrine centre that caters to children, adolescents, and adults, which is something that makes the new outpatients’ space unique.
“The centre will also feature a high-risk foot clinic, support from Indigenous health workers, dynamic clinical testing capabilities, and a multidisciplinary allied health team.”
The opening of the new Outpatient Department will be followed a few weeks later by the new $4m clinical space for the North Queensland Persistent Pain Management Service and the state-of-the-art $17m hybrid operating theatre in February next year.
Townsville Hospital and Health Board Chair Tony Mooney said the opening of these major projects would help give greater access to worldclass healthcare for people living in north Queensland.
“I want to sincerely thank all our staff who have worked incredibly hard to bring these projects to fruition,” Tony said.
“From our clinical staff to our infrastructure teams, the opening of these three new clinical spaces is the product of years of hard work.
“We are committed to providing healthcare closer to home and the Clinical Services Upgrades at Townsville University Hospital is delivering on that commitment.”
Acting clinical nurse consultant endocrine and diabetes Kirsty Stewart, Townsville Hospital and Health Board Chair Tony Mooney, medical services group clinical director Dr Kunwarjit Sangla, and Townsville HHS chief executive Kieran Keyes
Intern heads to nation’s capital as emerging leader
Health management intern Pala Leka will join 20 young leaders in Canberra this month as part of the Lowy Institute’s Australia-Papua New Guinea Emerging Leaders Dialogue.
The dialogue is an opportunity for participants to examine the theme of youth and the power of young people in forging stronger Australia-PNG ties through discussions on economic development, politics and society, business, sport, health, arts, and social media.
“I was born in Papua New Guinea so naturally I feel very passionately for the future of my people, but also having grown up in Australia, this country holds significant meaning for me as well,” he said.
“This dialogue is a truly fitting opportunity and one I am honoured and excited to take part in.”
To be considered for the dialogue nominees had to demonstrate personal qualities and attributes to contribute to a stronger relationship between the two countries.
“I’ve been very fortunate to have had a number of shaping experiences in the not-for-profit space over the years which have allowed me to contribute toward development in both countries,” Pala said.
“More recently I founded a not-for-profit called KumulCare which raises awareness and advocates for disability rights in Papua New Guinea’s rural areas and we aim to expand to the wider pacific region.”
Pala credited his time as a health management intern for giving him insight into health care in Australia.
“I hope it will also prove useful in what I can add to the dialogue,” he said.
The dialogue takes place in early October and participants will, together, produce an outcomes paper submitted to both countries’ Foreign Ministers.
Health management intern Pala Leka
Ville vixens thanked for years of support
The Ville Vixens Motorcycle club was thanked recently for six years supporting the Townsville Cancer Centre.
The club’s support began in 2017 when one of its members received a breast cancer diagnosis.
Ville Vixens vice president Linda White said the club had raised close to $45,000 which had benefitted patients receiving treatment for breast and prostate cancer.
“These funds were raised on behalf of Townsville’s motorcycle community,” she said.
“It has been an absolute privilege to help in some way to make the lives of cancer patients a little brighter.”
Townsville University Hospital Clinical nurse consultant Karen Groves said the funds raised went towards items to support the care of patients.
“We purchased a bladder scanner, mastectomy bras, prostate cancer books, oncology products, hair turbans, personal care items, fuel, and shopping gift cards,” she said.
“The club also donated gift cards to help patients with the cost of fuel and food while receiving treatment.
“We wanted to take the opportunity to show our thanks to the Ville Vixens for their support and compassion for people battling cancer.
“A morning tea for all of the tireless fundraising this club has carried out is the very least we could do.”
Clinical nurse consultant Karen Groves, breast care nurse Talina Stanier, oncology clinics enrolled nurse Jeffrey ‘JJ’ Jarrott, prostate cancer care nurse Kathy Ashley and prostate cancer care nurse Donna Thorogood with members of the Ville Vixens motorcycle club
Meet the team behind the TPHU Healthy Skin Program
The Townsville Public Health Unit Healthy Skin Program is a new Townsville Hospital and Health Service (THHS) initiative aimed at addressing skin concerns among First Nations families in Townsville and Palm Island.
Public health nurse Melanie West said the program was intended to be an upstream prevention initiative aimed at reducing the burden of Strep A infections associated with the development of acute rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease.
“Here in Townsville, we’ve primarily looked at health promotion and education first, whereas now we’re starting to branch out with more of an outreach type model,” Melanie said.
“We are taking a navigational approach where we can advocate and assist in embedding families into primary health services.”
Health promotion officer Allana O’Fee explained that the key to the program’s success was empowering the community to take control of their skin health.
“We’ve done a few community-based interventions but the one we’ve had the most success with was a school-based intervention where we visited St Michael’s primary school on Palm Island for a sharing and learning session with the teachers, staff, and students,” Allana said.
“We’ve also got a slogan competition running on Palm Island that’s open to anyone in a school aged bracket that encourages them to come up with meaningful messaging around skin health, integrity and management.
“We’ll use this as part of our promotional campaign so that it’s not just an external body coming in and promoting messages that don’t resonate or connect with the community.”
As the program moves towards an outreach model, clinical nurse Blain Hogg said he hoped to see a coordinated approach from all facets within the HHS.
“We’re building upon the foundations of working with the AMSs, such as Palm Island Community Company on Palm Island, TAIHS and local GPs within the community to liaise with community members including the health workers to try and build a relationship in the community with the consumers,” Blain said.
“Skin health is still a major stigma around the community and we’re trying to, in the long run, prevent a condition that’s entirely preventable.
“It’s going back to grassroots, building those relationships so that there is a conversation happening with the health services and providing those opportunities for patients to get treated.”
For more information, contact the healthy skin team at tphuskinhealth@health.qld.gov.au or call the public health unit on 07 4433 6900.
TPHU Healthy Skin Team public health nurse Melanie West, health promotion officer Allana O’Fee ,and clinical nurse Blain Hogg
Give life with Lifeblood
You may have seen this smiling face around the hospital recently.
Meet Gwendolyne Camaret from Australian Red Cross Lifeblood.
Gwen was doing the rounds encouraging Townsville Universty Hospital (TUH) staff to roll up their sleeves and start donating plasma at the Townsville donation centre.
Plasma is used in 18 different life-giving ways including treatment for immune deficiencies, liver disease, and haemophilia.
The Townsville donation centre, located at Domain Central is open 6 days a week for plasma donations. For more information and to sign up as a donor head to www.lifeblood.com.au
Celebrating our emergency nurses
Our emergency department is one of largest and busiest in regional Australia and in recognition of the hard work and dedication of our emergency nurses, the team celebrated national Emergency Nurses Day.
Townsville University Hospital emergency department nurse unit manager Kirsty Dillon said the nurses worked so hard and deserved to be recognised as much as possible.
“Their job is very unique and can be challenging, so being able to take some time to thank our hardworking staff is very important to us,” Kirsty said.
Thank you for all that you do!
Gwendolyne Camaret from Australian Red Cross Lifeblood
TUH emergency department nurses
THANK YOU
Join us to celebrate Townsville Hospital and Health Service’s outstanding performance in the 2023-2024 financial year.
North Ward Health Campus | 18 September | 12noon
Cleveland Youth Detention Centre | 20 September | 12noon
Kirwan Health Campus | 24 September | 12.30pm
Public Health Unit | 26 September | 12noon
Magnetic Island Health Service | 27 September | 3.00pm
Joyce Palmer Health Service | 14 October | 2 00pm
Parklands Aged Care Facility | 16 October | 10.30am
Vincent Cambridge Health Campus | 16 October | 12noon
Vincent Palmerston Health Campus | 16 October | 12noon
Charters Towers Health Service | 18 October | 12noon
Townsville Correctional Centre | 18 October | 12noon
Ingham Health Service | 22 October | 12noon
Hughenden Health Service | 23 October | 10.00am
Richmond Health Service | 23 October | 12noon
Ayr Health Service | 25 October | 12noon
Home Hill Health Service | 25 October | 2.30pm
Eventide Aged Care Facility | 6 November | 1.00pm
A Brighter Note...
Giving back this Giving Day
Brighter Lives Townsville Hospital Foundation will be hosting a Giving Day to celebrate 35 years of giving to the local community.
One-hundred per cent of funds raised by Brighter Lives stay in north Queensland to support projects including equipment, services, and research. These donations help purchase innovative equipment and are used for items that help brighten the hospital experience for patients and their families.
Over the past three decades, the charity has funded numerous projects such as the recent $173k laser to the Townsville University Hospital (TUH) to treat children who have experienced burns and scarring, the refurbishment of the isolation courtyard in the oncology ward, and many other projects across the region.
To celebrate Giving Day, Townsville City Council will be colouring iconic Townsville landmarks blue and yellow, including the city’s bridges, buildings, Townsville sign, and Queensland Country Bank Stadium.
Nurse educator Bernadette Clapperton is fundraising for the intensive care unit.
“We’re hoping to make patients more comfortable while spending time in intensive care by fundraising for recliner chairs,” Bernadette said.
“I see the difference Brighter Lives makes every day for patients, their families and staff.”
Brighter Lives has also recently funded SIM cards in the intensive care unit for previously donated iPads to ensure patients have internet to stream shows and movies while recovering.
“It’s the little things that make a patient’s day brighter when they are spending time in hospital,” Bernadette said.
Please donate what you can or get involved with Giving Day as a team.”
CEO of Brighter Lives Stephanie Naunton said Giving Day was a day for the north Queensland community to fundraise for the future of the foundation and help many more locals.
“Brighter Lives Giving Day is an opportunity for locals to see how much the foundation has achieved in the past 35 years and to help ensure we have the brightest local healthcare right here in north Queensland into the future,” Stephanie said.
The ICU team is hosting a bake sale in the front hallway of TUH on Tuesday 22 October from 9am until sold out.
To register to fundraise for Brighter Lives Giving Day on 24 October or to make a donation, visit www.charidy.com/ brighterlives.
Stephanie Naunton and Bernadette Clapperton
“I would like to thank all the staff that took care of me.
Everyone I spoke to was fantastic from the moment the Ambo arrived, to my discharge. Thank you for your professionalism and care.”
TUH INTENSIVE CARE UNIT
“I want to express my gratitude to Nurse Vicki and Dr Menon.
Vicki is exceptional in her work. She listened and helped to decode information that helped me understand my own health.
Dr Menon goes above and beyond to assist me in my quality of life, well being and dignity. They are both passionate about their work.”
SEXUAL HEALTH
“My recovery nurse Alicia was fantastic. Her incredible calm and level-headedness helped me to emotionally regulate. She is also attentive and kind. Alicia is an excellent nurse.”
OPERATING THEATRES
Capital works update
Works currently underway
Project: North Queensland Kidney Transplant Service
Work location: South Block Level 3 Cold Shell
Project: eHealth Infrastructure Maintenance Program Work location: Various locations in TUH
Project: Hybrid theatre - $17 million
Work location: TUH Acute building Level 2 Operating Theatres Complex
Project: Outpatients department expansion - $6.1 million
Work location: Clinical Services Support Building Level 1
Project: North Queensland Persistent Pain Management Service (NQPPMS) upgrade - $4 million
Work location: TUH Acute building Level 1 former Endoscopy Services / Medilink building Level 2 current NQPPMS suite
Project: Kirwan Health Community Campus expansion - $40 million
Work location: Kirwan Health Campus
Works on the way
Project: Ingham CT Scanner
Work location: Ingham Health Service
Got questions?
Project: TUH Stage 1 expansion project - $530 million
Work location: helipad and surrounding areas including eastern campus for temporary helipad location
Plans are currently underway to support staff through the changes that will occur in the coming months.
To accommodate so much growth at TUH, some staff will be required to relocate to new office spaces and to support this, we have commenced a Business Case for Significant Change with those te ams who will be impacted by works undertaken at TUH.
If you have any questions or would like to discuss any proposed changes, please contact chief operating officer Stephen Eaton via email or THHS-InfrastructureOffice@health.qld.gov.au.
Recipe of the blah
Salmon Shakshuka
supplied by TUH dietitians
Laugh of the blah
Serves 4
Ingredients:
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 red onion, thinly sliced
• 1 clove garlic, crushed
• 1 red capsicum, cut into thin strips
• 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 2 tablespoons no added salt tomato paste
• ¼ cup dried red lentils or/and four bean mix
• 400g can no added salt diced tomatoes
• 300g skinless salmon fillets, cut into 3 cm pieces or Turkey mince/ beef mince/chicken mince or no meat
• ½ cup chopped fresh parsley
• 4 eggs
• ½ (200g) mixed grain sourdough breadstick, sliced, toasted.
Method:
1. Heat oil in a large, deep frying pan over a medium heat. Add onion garlic and capsicum. cook, stirring, for about 4 minutes until onion is softened.
2. Add paprika, cumin, tomato paste and lentils. Cook, stirring, 1 minute. Stir in tomatoes and 1 ½ cups water. Bring to the boil. Reduce heat and gently boil for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened.
3. Stir in salmon and half the parsley. Using the back of large spoon, make 4 hollows in mixture. Crack an egg into each hollow. Cover and simmer a further 5-8 minutes, or until eggs are cooked to your liking.
4. Sprinkle with remaining parsley. Serve with toasted breadstick.
Tips:
• Bulk up veggies by stirring in 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables or 60g baby spinach leaves with salmon in step 4
• For a vegetarian shashuka, replace salmon with a drained 400g can no added salt black beans.
• For added flavour, sprinkle 50g crumbled reduced fat feta cheese over mixture in step 4 before covering and simmering.
Classifieds
FOR SALE
2021 Yamaha 300 Tricity (2 wheels on front) – LAMS Approved. Bike is like new only 5200 Kilometres. Recently serviced by Yamaha. Rarely Used. Excellent condition. Extras cost over $800 include Full Face Helmet, new gloves, armourall jacket like new, (3XL), battery charger. Rego:108 WF. $8900 call Paul on: 0479098229.(29/9)
A6 C7 Sedan 4DR Multitronic 2.0T (MY14). 2013 A6 C7 Sedan with only 109400 on the odometer. Fantastic condition with plenty of features including cruise control, tinted windows, front and rear park sensors, 360-degree camera, LED day time running lights, 4 zone climate control, keyless entry/start, blind spot alert with auto dimming side mirrors, leather electric seats and plenty more. $ 19,500 ONO call Daniela on 0412133890. (10/10)
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