blah blah blah | June 21

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Showcasing culture and diversity in the HHS

The diverse cultures of Townsville Hospital and Health Service staff will be on show at an upcoming celebration of multiculturalism. Story on Page 3

Dear Colleagues

Wow, just wow. That sums up how I felt at the Queensland Health Excellence awards this week. We had four finalists, along with our share in the Clinical Planning and Service Planning entry. Our paeds cardiology team was highly commended, the Brain and Spinal Cord Injury (BaSCI) team won, as did the VTEp dashboard and congratulations also to Organisational Development Director Nick Steele who was key to our First Nations Leadership Program win.

I know I say it a lot, but there isn’t a health service in the country with a broader range of services that what we deliver. That was reflected in the diversity of all of our nominations, our finalists and winners at the awards.

Our paediatric cardiology team was highly commended for providing vital care closer to home for north Queensland children with conditions including rheumatic heart disease and heart rhythm disorders. The service has changed the lives of patients and their families who were previously required to travel significant distances, with the attendant disruption and dislocation from family.

Our BaSCI team has created literally a one-stop shop allowing patients to access specialist rehabilitation, neuropsychiatry, specialist allied health care as well as Indigenous liaison services. The team has made huge in-roads already into providing great care in person and virtually and are making especially great progress engaging our First Nations consumers in rehabilitation.

The VTEp dashboard was also a worthy winner, and congratulations to pharmacist Dr Stephen Perks and Dr Kunwarjit Sangla for their efforts in improving the rates of VTE prophylaxis prescribing, which is so important given the risks associated with VTE (it accounts for almost 10 per cent of all preventable hospital deaths in Australia).

A partnership with the Department of Health’s Clinical Planning and Service Strategy won the Prioritising Our People category. The First Nations Leadership Program was developed to build a pipeline of future First Nations healthcare leaders. A two-day workshop focused on the themes of truth-telling and healing, with ongoing supporting activities, was facilitated by a unique mix of an experienced First Nations facilitator, an experienced non-Indigenous facilitator, and local First Nations Elders/cultural anchors. We were the pilot site for this program and developed the curriculum with the department. I had the privilege of speaking at the very first program last year and I’m very proud of its success.

I also want to acknowledge the amazing team delivering the Adolescent Day Program from the Josephine Sailor Adolescent Inpatient Unit and Day Service. Even though they didn’t come home with a trophy, the outcomes they are achieving for young people experiencing a mental health illness and supporting their ongoing engagement in school is something I am personally very proud of, so well done team.

On the weekend I had the privilege of attending the Donate Life Service of Remembrance. This was a very special event involving recipients and families of donors and it was nice to see the State Manager, Tina Coco AO, present along with the Member for Thuringowa Aaron Harper. Our Donor Coordinators, Meaghan Baldwin and Mark Singzon, along with our Clinical Lead for Organ Donation Dr Melita Trout, do an amazing job working with families at what is an incredibly difficult time so that donation can occur where possible. The service was very touching and I could see just how special it was for the families that were present. As a side note, a huge shout out to Mark for his amazing singing talent! Well done to all involved.

It was good to see the expressions of interest released to the market for the Kirwan community health expansion, after a lengthy delay following the voluntary administration of the previous contractor. Following this EOI there will be an invitation to tender for selected contractors, likely to occur in mid-August.

And finally, nominations for Townsville HHS 2024 NAIDOC Awards close on Wednesday, 3 July.

NAIDOC Week is being celebrated from 7 to 14 July and the theme for this year is ‘Keep the Fires Burning! Blak, Loud and Proud’.

The award categories are Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Staff Member of the Year, Rising Star Award, Health Equity Award and team awards for respect, opportunities and relationships.

More information, including how to nominate, can be found on QHEPS.

Kieran Keyes Health Service Chief Executive

Multicultural Day event to celebrate staff diversity

The diverse cultures of Townsville Hospital and Health Service staff will be on show at an upcoming celebration of multiculturalism

The staff-led Multicultural Day will be held between noon and 2pm on Friday 2 August in the Robert Douglas Auditorium.

Medical oncology clinical director Dr Abhishek Joshi said he was inspired to organise the event after discussions with HSCE Kieran Keyes who has been attending India Fests in the past and has been impressed by their success.

“We are very thankful of our chief executive Kieran Keyes for his encouragement and support,” Abhi said.

“As a health service, we have a very diverse workforce, so we thought this was a great opportunity for everyone with diverse cultural backgrounds to come together and celebrate their heritage while also promoting inclusivity within the workplace,” he said.

“This event will showcase everything from food to traditional dress and art, and importantly absolutely everyone across the health service is invited to get involved.”

Staff are encouraged to participate in the event by dressing in traditional attire on the day, bringing in cultural items and flags, and preparing traditional foods that can be shared at designated stalls.

“I’d encourage any staff members who want to get involved to register their interest now,” Abhi said.

To get involved in the Multicultural Day Celebration or for more information, click here or email tsv-public-affairs@qld. health.gov.au.

Dr Jun Beng Kong, Dr Adeola Ayoola, Dr Tao Daniel Xing, Dr Trupti Jadhav, Dr Abhishek Joshi.

Queensland Health Awards

Townsville Hospital and Health Service well and truly batted above our average on Wednesday night at the Queensland Health Awards for Excellence.

Congratulations to all our finalists and winners!

Winners: VTEp Dashboard Project Team (Digitising healthcare)

Winners: Acquired Brain Injury Review Clinic (Strengthening our patients’ care)

Highly Commended: Paediatric Cardiology and RHD/ARF Model of Care (First Nations first)

Finalist: Townsville Adolescent Day Program, Josephine Sailor Adolescent Inpatient Unit and Day Service (Transforming health)

A huge congratulations also belongs to the First Nations Leadership Program (winners in Prioritising Our People).The program is delivered through a partnership with Clinical Planning and Service Strategy.

See the next page for some photo highlights from the night, and watch the highlight video here. Stay tuned for the next edition of the blah blah blah to learn more about the achievements of our amazing finalists.

Townsville

Josephine Sailor Adolescent Inpatient Unit and Day Service

Acquired Brain Injury Review Clinic

Back: Elizabeth Morris & Kate Laffey

Middle: Loren Parker & Kimberley Trainor

Front: Kieran Keyes, Dr Manish Khanna & Melanie Hamilton

Back: Christie Ann Whatley, Esther Macknamara, Kieran Keyes, Dr Andrew White, Dr Rosh Samuel, Amanda Cooms, Front: Tarine Clubb, Felicity Dennis

Back: Chloe Wright, Kate Edmons, Katherine Johnsen, Dr Caitlin Arthur | Front: Jen Quaill, Kieran Keyes, Sarah Webb

Nick Steele, Amanda Cooms, Kieran Keyes

Dr Kunwarjit Sangla, Kieran Keyes, Marina Daly

VTEp Dashboard Project Team

First Nations Leadership Program

Paediatric Cardiology and RHD/ARF Model

Townsville Adolescent Day Program

Daughters follow in mum’s nursing footsteps

After more than four decades in nursing there isn’t much Gloria Brunner hasn’t seen.

She has helped welcome countless babies into the world in the maternity ward, saved hundreds of lives and cared for people during some of their hardest moments.

However, she said some of her proudest moments have been seeing her daughters follow in her footsteps to become nurses as well.

The Burdekin-based midwife has been in nursing since she was 17 years old and has worked in all areas of the Ayr Health Service from midwifery through to emergency and the wards.

Gloria said nursing was the best job in the world and she was grateful she was able to share her passion with daughters Teagan and Chloe Brunner.

“No day is ever the same in rural nursing and after doing it for so many years I feel invested in the area, the people and the community,” she said.

“I am beyond proud that same level of care and love for

helping people has trickled through to my daughters.”

The oldest daughter Teagan is a registered nurse, and the youngest Chloe is a midwife and both work alongside Gloria at the Ayr Health Service.

Teagan said her mum was a major driving force towards her choosing a career in health.

“Growing up I never wanted to become a nurse and only started considering it as a career when I noticed the passion my mum had for the job,” Teagan said.

“She brings a great sense of calm and knowledge to the service to make us all feel confident, happy and supported.”

Chloe said some of her favourite memories have been in the delivery room with her mum and sister.

“It has only happened three times and it has been a special moment we have got to share with each other as well as with the mother and baby,” Chloe said.

“Mum was the driving factor behind my decision to become a midwife.

“I love my job and I have my mum to thank for sharing her passion for nursing with me and getting me into this career.”

Teagan, Gloria and Chloe Brunner.

Lauren Gribble and her oncologist Dr Nathan Bain.

Lauren’s message this bowel cancer awareness month

June is Bowel Cancer Awareness month and Lauren Gribble wants more people her age to become familiar with the symptoms of the disease.

Something didn’t feel right for 30-year-old Lauren when she started to notice changes to her overall health. She sought help and was eventually given the shock diagnosis of stage two bowel cancer.

Now cancer free following successful treatment at Townsville University Hospital and Icon Cancer Centre, she is hoping her story can help raise awareness of the disease, particularly in young people.

Australia has one of the highest rates of bowel cancer in the world, with 1 in 15 Australians set to be diagnosed with the disease in their lifetime.

And the rate among young people has been increasing steadily.

“The signs of bowel cancer can easily be confused with other issues and it’s important people listen to their bodies, and advocate for themselves if something feels off,” Lauren said.

Lauren has been documenting her experience on TikTok since she was initially diagnosed.

“Through talking with my friends and family and sharing my journey on TikTok, I am hoping I can raise awareness about what to look out for and where to go for help,” she said.

“Being a young person with cancer can be extremely isolating.

“Posting videos of this part of my life online has led me to meet some incredible people and be a part of groups like Cancer Chicks who work to support, empower and enhance the lives of all young women affected by cancer and severe chronic and terminal illness.”

Lauren’s oncologist Dr Nathan Bain wants to encourage individuals, especially young people, to take the time to become familiar with the risks and symptoms associated with bowel cancer.

“Modifiable lifestyle factors such as smoking, excessive consumption of red meat and processed meats, drinking alcohol, and obesity can all increase the risk of bowel cancer,” Nathan said.

“Non-modifiable factors such as age, family history, hereditary conditions and personal health history can also influence bowel cancer risk.

“Blood in your stool or rectal bleeding, persistent change in bowel habits, change in the shape of your stool, abdominal pain, pain or lumps in the anus or rectum and unexplained anaemia causing tiredness, weakness or weight loss can all be systems of bowel cancer.”

Nathan said that more than 90 per cent of bowel cancer cases could be treated successfully when detected early.

To learn more about bowel cancer talk to your GP or visit the Bowel Cancer Australia website.

Bowel Cancer Awareness Month runs through June.

Townsville health team takes top spot in statewide challenge

A team made up of psychologists, a podiatrist and a speech pathologist from the Townsville Hospital and Health Service were steps ahead of the rest as it was named the most active hospital and health service team in Queensland.

The Freudian Skips was one of 85 Townsville HHS teams and one of hundreds across Queensland to take part in a statewide hospital and health service 10,000 step challenge set by Queensland Health’s Director-General Michael Walsh.

The Townsville University Hospital-based team set the winning pace and clocked an average of 259,204 steps per day and a total of 8,553,710 steps over the length of the month-long challenge.

Team captain and paediatric psychologist Monique Du’cane said the group hadn’t started with the intention of recording more steps than anyone else.

“We all went into the challenge with the goal of just doing more than 10,000 steps a day,” Monique said.

Townsville Hospital and Health Service

“In the first couple of weeks we realised we were averaging more than most people and that’s when our motivation really kicked in and we thought let’s take this home and let’s win this.

“We organised walks after work and got together as a group every Sunday to do a big walk, sometimes more than 20km.

“In our profession we are passionate about prescribing movement as medicine, and what the step challenge did was helped us to walk the walk and practise what we preached.”

Podiatrist Leigh Ryan was the most active member of the Freudian Skips team recording an average of 39,614 daily steps and said he used the challenge as motivation to help him train harder for the surf life-saving world championships later this year.

“The world championships are at the end of August and this challenge was a bit of extra motivation to go a bit harder at the gym and a bit longer in the pool,” Leigh said.

“We have a few competitive people in the team who are training for things like marathons or next month’s Townsville to Cairns Bike Ride and we pushed each other along to do more and more.”

blah blah blah Page 8

Claire Hession, Bridget Webber, Leigh Ryan and Monique Du’cane.

Townsville HHS was also named the most active in the state after it recorded the highest average number of steps per day!

“It was amazing to hear we had taken out the most active hospital and health service team in Queensland because I know we all put in a lot of effort.”

HSCE Kieran Keyes said it was a great achievement and congratulated everyone who took up and took part in the challenge.

“More than 750 staff from the HHS were involved in the challenge and took steps towards better health,” Kieran said.

“It’s been inspiring to see how seriously our people took it as they recorded more than 289 million steps.

“I know I felt better from my own increase in activity during the challenge and I applaud the Director-General for getting us all moving more.

“The competition helped to foster a culture of physical activity and wellbeing within the workplace.”

The winners prize also included $10,000 towards professional development to grow staff skillset and continue to deliver worldclass healthcare for the community.

Townsville Hospital and Health Service blah blah blah Page 9

Back - Claire Hession, Leigh Ryan, Kieran Keyes, Steven Fehring and Monique Du’cane| Front - Isabelle Frisken, Bridget Webber and Adam Stringini.

Joanna and Austin ring out the end of their cancer treatment

Two young warriors recently rang the bell at the children’s oncology day unit at Townsville University Hospital signalling the finish of their treatment for cancer.

Four-year-old Joanna Antony and five-year-old Austin Cockburn proudly rang the bell in front of doctors, nurses, and family to mark the occasion.

Joanna was diagnosed with leukaemia at 20 months old while Austin was diagnosed with lymphoma when he was two years old.

Joanna’s mum Josni Jose said it was a very proud moment for everyone involved when her daughter rang the bell.

“Because of the cancer treatment, she hasn’t had much of a normal childhood,” Josni said.

“For the first 10 months following her diagnosis, she was in Brisbane receiving some intense treatment.

“Following that, she came back to Townsville returning every three months to Brisbane to have more spinal chemotherapy treatment.

“It was a really difficult time for me, and my family, and Joanna always had a smile on her face and was really strong through the whole ordeal.

“She has now been able to lead a much more normal life and is looking forward to going to kindy later this year.”

Paediatric haematology and oncology clinical nurse consultant Phillip Mauger said watching patients like Joanna and Austin ring the bell was one of the rewarding parts of the job.

“Sometimes we have to be the bearers of bad news or perform procedures that make children sad or hurt but are necessary to heal them,” Phillip said.

“It’s moments like the ringing of the bell which are full of joy and remind us of why we do what we do and galvanise us to continue giving our utmost to heal these children.

“We get to know the kids and their families very well and become very attached to the outcome.

“Through their time with us we got to know Austin as the cheeky, vibrant boy that he is wearing his personalised shirt that advertised his mowing service.

“Meanwhile Joanna always came to every appointment with a smile from ear to ear and always insisted on wearing her best dress when she came to hospital.

“Ringing the bell is a bit of a goodbye as they now move on to a life where they can just be kids which hopefully doesn’t involve us so much, and this is a joyful thing.”

Austin with his dad Jared, brothers Tate and Carter, and mum Jennifer.

Professors’ pursuit of research excellence rewarded

Two Townsville Hospital and Health Service eminent researchers recently reached the finals of the inaugural Queensland Health Research Excellence Awards.

Across 16 HHSs, director of clinical research and consultant nephrologist Professor Andrew Mallett and neonatologist staff specialist Professor Yoga Kandasamy were among just six finalists.

Andrew was a finalist in the Research Translation Award for translating a kidney genetics clinic to more than 20 Australia-wide.

“The first clinic started about 10 years ago in Queensland for people with inherited kidney disease,” he said.

“It’s now grown to a network using genetic and genomic testing to help literally thousands of Australians every year.

“That is very gratifying for me as both a researcher and nephrologist.”

Yoga was a finalist in the Industry Partnership Award for leading a pilot study to trial cotbased webcams enabling parents to remotely access live video of their babies in Townsville University Hospital’s neonatal unit.

The Babycams are now live-streaming premature and preterm babies from 50 cots to families across north, north-west, and central Queensland.

“The pilot, which led us to where we are today, would not have been possible without the contributions of industry collaborators including CSIRO, Optus, and James Cook University,” Yoga said.

“Babycams was a genuine industry-partnered initiative which then attracted philanthropic funding from Glencore.

“I’m very proud of that and grateful to everyone who came on the journey with us.”

Chief executive Kieran Keyes said Andrew and Yoga making the finals once again proved the Townsville HHS punched well above its weight.

“The research undertaken in this health service is authentic, connected, and translating to better outcomes for the people of north Queensland,” he said.

“My sincerest congratulations to Andrew and Yoga not only on their success in these awards but for their relentless pursuit of healthcare excellence through research,” he said.

The finalists and winners were announced at the recent Queensland Health Research Excellence Symposium at the Brisbane Exhibition and Convention Centre.

Professor Andrew Mallett and Professor Yoga Kandasamy.

Training equips nurses to treat tiniest patients

Sixteen nurses at Townsville University Hospital have graduated from a specialist training program giving them the skills they need to work with the hospital’s smallest patients.

Nurses undertake two years of study and training as part of the Transition Support Program, first focusing on the skills needed in the special care nursery before learning neonatal intensive care skills.

This year, the nurses graduated from either their first or second year with many securing NICU and special care nursing roles in Townsville and across the state.

Neonatal nurse educator Louise Thiele said the program equipped nurses with the skills and confidence needed to give the region’s smallest patients the best possible start to life.

“Our NICU and special care units punch above their weight doing important work to set babies and their families up for happy and healthy lives,” Louise said.

“No classroom lesson can prepare you to work with the most complex newborn and premature babies.

“The program teaches important theoretical knowledge and brings those ideas to life in a supported environment on real wards with real patients.”

Women and children’s service group director Vicki Carson said she was proud of the nurses who dedicated themselves to the program.

“I know how hard working and studying fulltime can be, but your hard work will pay off and the skills you learned through this program will set you up for a great career,” Vicki said.

“I can’t wait to see the exciting things you will each achieve in your nursing careers.”

Transition support program graduates

Year one

Cloe Summerton

Jesse Copley

Lucinda Anderson

Ella Flegg

Juscinda Jeffries

Jayda Garton

Karen Raeburn

Year two

Sonia Abraham

Ashlee Andres

Divya Paul

Zoie Borellini

Caitlin Maloney

Rachelle Isaac

True Oldaker

Karen Raeburn, Divya Paul, Sonia Abraham, and Lucinda Anderson.

Home Hill Health Service gets its first volunteer

Barbara Stockdale’s journey to becoming Home Hill Health Service’s first Brighter Lives volunteer started after visiting her mum in hospital.

In her role she is responsible for helping patients with activities, walking with them, providing them company and supporting the health service staff.

Barbara said she was drawn to volunteering after visiting her mum at a Brisbane hospital during Covid lockdowns in 2020.

“My mother was ill and the amazing nursing staff let me stay with her and help her while I was down in Brisbane,” Barbara said.

“The seed was planted there to volunteer at a hospital after spending time with some of the other patients in the ward and talking with them.

“A couple of years later I was visiting my mother-in-law at the Home Hill Health Service and while there I got to talking with a lady who had run out of wool while doing some crochet work.

“After talking to her for a while she said she would have to wait for her family to visit her before she could get some more.

“I offered to go get some for her and that’s when I decided to help more health service patients by volunteering for a few hours a week.”

“I had recently retired after more than 40 years of service at the Burdekin Shire Council and l had time to pursue volunteering to give a bit of my time to help our community,” she said.

“From there I talked with the hospital staff who got in contact with Narelle from Brighter Lives, and we got the ball rolling.”

Brighter Lives volunteer program manager Narelle Burns hopes more people will put their hands up to volunteer in those rural areas after hearing about Barbara.

“We need more volunteers in our rural areas, and I hope Barbara’s story will inspire more people to give a few hours of their week to helping their community by becoming a Brighter Lives volunteer,” Narelle said.

“We have about 120 volunteers working with us, and most of these are concentrated around the Townsville region.

“We would love to see more in our rural areas like the Burdekin, Charters Towers, Richmond, Hughenden, Cardwell and Ingham.

“Volunteers help to brighten up patient’s days, makes them feel more special and gives them someone different to talk to.”

Brighter Lives volunteer Barbara Stockdale.

New 3D scanning tool a win for bubs and parents

Townsville Hospital and Health Service’s prosthetics and orthotics department’s new 3D scanning tool is helping to improve the patient experience for babies and caregivers.

The state-of-the-art technology uses blue light to capture the shape of each baby’s head to create a custom helmet to help where possible to gently correct uneven or flattened head shapes in some infants.

Prosthetic orthotist Chloe Botella said the scanner was a lessstressful way to capture the information needed to create the cranial remodelling helmets.

“The other method we use involves hand casting using plaster which can be quite traumatic for the child,” Chloe said.

“The plaster would be applied on the cranial area which was often distressing for the child and caregivers.

“Having the baby’s ears covered up while the plaster heats and dries would cause them discomfort.

“The new scanning tool allows us to safely capture a cranial image without needing to touch the head.

“The information is fed to a computer and sent to a specialist manufacturer who creates a custom cranial remodelling helmet.

“There still may be instances where we have to use the plaster method, but this now gives us another option.”

Townsville mum Rhianna Powell had noticed her eight-monthold daughter Frankie had developed an asymmetrical head shape after favouring one side while laying down.

After seeking medical advice Frankie is now wearing a remodelling helmet and was one of the first patients in Townsville to have it developed using the scanning tool.

“We didn’t really know what to expect when we had our first appointment with the prosthetics and orthotics department,” Rhianna said.

“Frankie is a bit of a handful, and we were worried how using plaster might have been for her, but the scanning tool was just so easy.

“She just sat there while they scanned her head and then a few days later we had the custom-made helmet.

“Most of the time she is very happy to wear it, going about her normal day and having no issues in having it on.

“We are really happy with the process and the level of support the staff have given to us.”

Prosthetic orthotist Chloe Botella with eight-month-old Frankie Powell and mum Rhianna

Norma Lane celebrated for her dedicated career in Indigenous workforce development

Beginning her nursing career at just 17 years of age, Norma has worked as a clinical nurse consultant in Indigenous health workforce and professional services at the Townsville University Hospital for the past 10 years.

Norma has worked across a range of fields and developed programs for recruitment and professional development opportunities for Indigenous staff working across the hospital and health service.

Norma said she hoped to see a continued increase in Indigenous nurse numbers.

“Young Indigenous health professionals need to be given the opportunity to grow their confidence in themselves and within a team, and sometimes they just need that extra boost,” she said.

“I feel proud to have worked on programs like the Indigenous academic merit scholarship that has provided opportunities for so many people, especially young mums needing support to start their nursing careers.

“We have an awesome team in our professional workforce that collaborate and understand that it’s okay to ask questions and have important conversations to improve health outcomes for our patients.

“I can’t say enough good things about Townsville University Hospital. It’s looked after my family and it’s given me a career in nursing that has led me to working across Australia in rural and remote Aboriginal communities, and even with international refugees and families.”

Executive director nursing and midwifery services Judy Morton said the influence Norma has had on the organisation could not be understated.

“Norma’s work in cultural awareness and capacity has been incredibly valuable for our nurses, midwives and the overall organisation,” she said.

“She has long been an absolute point of reference for nurses across various wards.

“And it’s really those little things that make the difference every day for patients and staff.”

Thank you, Norma, for your commitment to fostering growth and awareness across our health service.

Norma Lane and her colleagues

“Thank you for helping our son when we brought him in with respiratory distress. The nurses and the three doctors were all amazing. So thank you!”

CHARTERS TOWERS EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT

“I am so happy with the service from the Ingham Patient Travel Office. I recently had to go to Townsville for specialist treatment and the staff member was very kind and helpful, and efficiently explained the process. Please convey my heartfelt thanks to the staff.”

INGHAM PATIENT TRAVEL OFFICE

“I wanted to say massive thank you to Dr Alex in the emergency department. Alex made me feel safe and heard and was a very safe space for LGBTQIA+ identifying individuals.”

TOWNSVILLE UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT

A Brighter Note...

Refurb helps patients feel less isolated

Thanks to the generous community donations from last year’s Giving Day, Brighter Lives recently funded the refurbishment of the Isolation Courtyard for cancer patients at Townsville University Hospital

The courtyard is used by patients who require isolation for weeks at a time during their treatment, giving them a beautiful outdoor space to enjoy or simply view if they are not well enough to use it.

The refurbishment of the courtyard includes new flooring, a shade cover, plants, and furniture, costing $54,000.

Townsville local, Glenda Worrall, principal real estate agent at Elite Properties, was a major donor in the fundraiser.

After having a personal experience at Townsville University Hospital, Glenda decided to donate to Brighter Lives to help create a beautiful outdoor space for those in isolation.

“It’s lovely that the patients now have this private space to have some time outside and enjoy nature. Getting outside and spending time in the fresh air is very important when you’re diagnosed with an illness that puts you through a lot of treatment and it’s great to have this refurbished space when patients need isolation.”

Brighter Lives is so grateful for the support of people like Glenda, and the local community for getting behind this fundraising campaign.

“Thanks to the incredible generosity of locals, we now have a refreshed outdoor space for patients who are having treatment for cancer,” Alicia Fowles, Chair of Brighter Lives Board said.

“Fresh air and enjoying the outdoors is something that everyone loves, and it is wonderful that patients in isolation can also enjoy this now too.”

The courtyard was officially opened a few weeks ago with a celebration acknowledging the donors that made this project possible.

Karyn Voevodin (Brighter Lives Board member), Glenda Worrall and Ramana Butters (NUM Oncology)

Capital works update

Works currently underway

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

Works on the way

Project: Clinical Forensic Medicine Unit

Work location: ACC Annexure Building

Project: North Queensland Kidney Transplant Sevice

Work location: South Block Level 3 Cold Shell

Project: Ward Midlife Renewal – Surgical and Medical wards

Work location: South Block Ground and Level 1

Got questions?

Project: Kirwan Health Community Campus expansion$40 million

Work location: Kirwan Health Campus

Project: TUH Clinical Equipment Loans Service (CELS)$2.35 million

Work location: TUH Level 2, CSSB

Project: TUH Stage 1 expansion project - $530 million

Work location: helipad and surrounding areas including eastern campus for temporary helipad location

Project: Ingham CT Scanner and ED Refurbishment

Work location: Ingham Health Service

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 teams 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.

Capital works update

Temporary helipad nears close to completion

Concrete was poured at the eastern campus site of Townsville University Hospital’s temporary helipad last week marking the next step in the facility’s expansion.

Due for completion later this year, the temporary helipad will allow construction to begin on a new $530 million, 143-bed clinical building at the site of the current helipad.

Capital works update

Parking and pathways make way for next steps in hospital expansion

In the coming weeks parking and pedestrian traffic will be impacted as work progresses on construction of the $530 million clinical building.

This work includes a stormwater diversion and diversion of existing underground electricity, water, and telecommunications services which will see site fencing erected at the front of Ronald McDonald and Red Cross Houses as well as around the perimeter of carpark 14.

These works will impact on parking and pedestrian traffic on campus.

From Monday 24 June the verge parking above carpark 14 on Angus Smith Drive will close permanently.

Staff who park their vehicles at this location can instead park their vehicles at the eastern campus carpark or at the 135 parking spaces available at James Cook University (JCU) veterinary sciences carpark. These spaces will be available until 31 December 2024.

Staff who wish to park at the JCU veterinary sciences carpark can collect a permit from the Health Security Department Administration at the hospital.

The JCU carpark is a short 10-minute walk from the hospital, easily accessible and safe to use. Staff can arrange a security escort to their car between the hours of 7:00pm – 6:00am by contacting switch on 31111 at least 30 minutes prior to the require pick-up time. The pick-up point is the eastern western end of Medilink adjacent to the Wilson Security car park.

A short walkthrough video, information on accessing this carpark and maps to assist you can be accessed at the below link.

JCU CARPARK VIDEO AND INFORMATION

If you have any questions regarding parking, please contact TTHCampusOperations@health.qld.gov.au

From Monday 24 June the pedestrian crossing adjacent to Ronald McDonald House on Angus Smith Drive will close.

From early July, pedestrian pathway to the Medilink building at the southern perimeter of the helipad will also close permanently. Medilink will remain accessible by diverting through the main hospital.

Pedestrian access onto the hospital campus will be maintained along Angus Smith Drive for the duration of the construction of the new clinical building.

Further updates on pedestrian pathways will be provided as work continues.

Work to construct the clinical building is a major step toward building the future of healthcare for north Queensland.

If you have any questions regarding closure of pedestrian paths, please contact InfrastructureRedevelopment@ health.qld.gov.au

Recipe of the week

Mexican pumpkin and bean sloppy joes

supplied by TUH dietitians

serves 4 | 20 min prep | 20 min cook

Laugh of the week

Ingredients

• 3 TSP OLIVE OIL

• 1 RED ONION

• 1 GARLIC CLOVE, CRUSHED

• 600G PUMPKIN, PEELED AND DICED

• 1 TSP MEXICAN CHILLI POWDER

• ¼ CUP TOMATO PASTE

• 400G DICED TOMATO

• 425G BLACK BEANS, DRAINED

• ½ CUP CORIANDER, CHOPPED

• 2 X TURKISH ROLLS, HALVED AND TOASTED

• 1 MEDIUM AVOCADO, CHOPPED

• 2 TSP LEMON JUICE

Method

1. Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onion and garlic to pan. Cook, stirring for 2 minutes, or until lightly golden. Add pumpkin, chilli powder and tomato paste. Cook, stirring a further 2 minutes.

2. Stir in tomatoes, beans and 1 cup water. Bring to the boil. Cover with lid. Reduce heat. Gently boil for about 15 minutes or until pumpkin is tender and mixture is thick, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat. Stir in coriander.

3. Meanwhile, mash avocado with lemon juice in a small bowl.

4. Spoon pumpkin mixture over toasted roll halves. Top with avocado and sprinkle with pine nuts. Serve with lemon wedges, if desired.

Tips:

• Any leftover topping will keep covered in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in microwave oven, or in a saucepan over a low heat, adding a little water to thin consistency, if required.

• Swap black beans with 425g can no added salt red kidney beans, if preferred.

• Replace Turkish rolls with wholemeal rolls for added wholegrains.

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