blah blah blah | April 26

We remembered them at TUH dawn service

As dawn broke yesterday, 25 April, staff, patients, and community gathered at Townsville University Hospital joining a nation to remember the Anzacs and all Australian servicemen and women.

Our gallery of the dawn service and Anzac Day march in Townsville city begins on page 3.

Lest we forget.

Chaplain Bevan Lobley, Denis Devantie, HSCE Kieran Keyes, Anita Busuttil, Mary Leech and JJ Jarrott

Dear Colleagues,

Our health service, like most across Queensland and Australia has been experiencing a significant peak in demand. This week we ticked over more than a week’s worth of continuous Tier 3 escalation. Earlier in the year, we initiated a specific project focussing on the growth in patients awaiting nursing home placement. There has been considerable success with this initiative with numbers reducing. Despite this success, however, demand for inpatient services at TUH remains high. Sometimes it feels that, although we take many steps forward, we aren’t getting anywhere. I would like to note, though, our ED continues to be among the best performing in the country when it comes to patient off-stretcher times, which is absolutely something to be celebrated and proud of. I admire the hard-working staff that turn up every day to deliver great care for their communities, either directly or in support of those that do.

Commemorating Anzac Day is always a special time for our nation and nowhere more so that for our health service. The dawn service at Townsville University Hospital is always well attended and it’s wonderful to see some of our staff participating in the march as well. My thanks to the many staff that contribute to the success of our event and to all of you that continue to deliver health services to our veterans. Lest we forget.

Queensland will celebrate Privacy Awareness Week from 6-12 May 2024 so it’s a timely reminder of our obligations in managing privacy. This year’s theme is ‘Privacy and technology: improving transparency, accountability and security’. Protecting and respecting personal information is integral to building and maintaining the community’s trust in our health service. Privacy is also a basic human right and legislated in Queensland’s Human Rights Act 2019. Protecting privacy has always been a concern for health services; however, now that we have digitised many of our records it’s never been easier to access them, and it’s never been easier for a privacy breach to occur. Please ensure the records you access are related to the work that you are doing and, in the case of health records, ensure that you are not accessing your own record. From a transparency and accountability perspective, we make disclosures of suspected privacy breaches to the Crime and Corruption Commission Queensland, and we also make disclosures to affected patients.

On other matters digital, congratulations to everyone involved in our rollout of ieMR so far to Joyce Palmer Health Service, Hughenden, and Richmond Hospitals (and an early congrats to Ingham that comes online next week). It’s exciting to think that we are nearly a digital health service now and having been involved since the beginning of our digital journey it all seems relatively business as usual now compared to the early days! Of course, it only seems that way because of the massive effort our ieMR team and our rural hospitals have made so well done!

As this blah goes to publication, we are about to see some changes to car parking on the TUH site. This is exciting because it’s the start of our expansion works, but no doubt the disruption will also be noticed by all. You can find the specific details of our upcoming changes here. These will be a tricky few years as we manage a number of competing changes onsite, we can all play our part by parking in the locations set out for us and ensure we are preserving space closest to TUH for those starting or finishing in the late evening. I welcome the announcement of new facilities for Home Hill, Hughenden, and Richmond; it’s going to be exciting to be part of those developments.

Voting is still open in the People’s Choice Award. This is your chance to vote for your favourite finalist with the winner announced at the Staff Excellence Awards on 4 June. Click this link to cast your vote. I’m very much looking forward to the evening and to welcoming the Premier, Minister, and DirectorGeneral to this wonderful celebration of staff that live our Vision, Values and Purpose.

Thanks to Stephen Eaton for covering for me as A/HSCE while I had a short break. I managed to get a trip to Cairns with family over Easter, play some golf, brew some beer, get to Maggie Island, and go camping with my wife, so all up a pretty enjoyable holiday, even though I didn’t manage to wet a line.

Kieran Keyes Health Service Chief Executive

We remembered them at TUH dawn service

A guest lays a wreath at the memorial

Books and wreaths laid at the memorial

Ian Kuhl Chaplain Louis Clun, DVA chaplain

From left: Ian Kuhl, JJ Jarrott, Chaplain Bevan Lobley, Cecilia Mooney, Chair Tony Mooney, HSCE Kieran Keyes, and Chaplain Louis Clun

Jason Cipollino raises the Australian and New Zealand flags

We remembered them

HSCE Kieran Keyes joins TUH staff at the community march

Assistance dog Max greets a patient at the service

Roy Hosking plays The Last Post

Guests at the Townsville University Hospital Dawn Service

Journal helps patients put pen to paper in health journey

Patients across north Queensland are benefiting from a simple, yet effective, tool designed to help those facing long and complex health journeys.

The Townsville Hospital and Health Service (HHS) patient journal is a free resource codesigned with local patients and consumers to support those accessing health care services and facing emotional and challenging diagnoses, First Nations patients, and patients with low health literacy.

Patients are given a journal if their care team believes it would benefit them and their healthcare journey, or patients can request one themselves.

The journal can be used to write down important information about a diagnosis and treatment and track appointments and expenses. It also has space to set goals and prompts patients to write down any questions they may have.

Townsville electrician Steven Anderson has been using his journal since undergoing life-saving open-heart surgery in January and takes it with him to each of his appointments.

He said he found the journal beneficial and wished he had received it sooner.

“I got the journal as soon as I started the education classes and I’ve been using it while doing my homework each night to write things down,” he said.

“When you write something down it gives you a bit of a reality check and prompts you to investigate things further.

“I’ve found it very helpful especially the ‘my health decisions and treatments’ section, which helped me understand my diagnosis and write down what I need to do to stay healthy.”

Steven’s heart journey started with him pestering his GP for a referral for a coronary angiogram to check his heart, despite not having any symptoms.

“I had no chest pain and have never had one inkling of a problem, but I kept telling my doctor I wanted to get a check,” he said.

“I lost my father to a heart attack in 2010; I think about him every single day because as far as I am concerned, he died prematurely.

“My dad became a statistic, a premature death of an Aboriginal Australian male, and I was worried the same would happen to me.

“I’m grateful I have a resource that I can use to take control of my health journey and to understand how to care for my heart post-surgery.”

Person-centred care consultant Jo Sherring said people didn’t plan on becoming patients of the health system.

“They’re often unprepared when a health emergency or diagnosis happens, and they suddenly find themselves in the health system with its unfamiliar systems, processes and language,” she said.

“The journal aims to make that transition easier so that new patients can quickly adapt and understand how to work best with the health team and manage their care.”

Health service chief executive Kieran Keys said he was proud to see the positive impact the journals were already having across the region.

“The journal empowers patients to work with their treating team to understand their care and achieve better health outcomes,” he said.

“Our staff have found these to be an incredibly useful tool to help patients understand their diagnosis and take control of their health journeys.”

Karen Harrington and Steven Anderson

Fitness sesh to boost Louisa’s fundraiser

Radiation therapist Louisa Sanders is encouraging staff to get sweaty and enjoy some baked treats, all for a good cause.

Louisa is hosting an outdoor workout session and a bake sale as part of her fundraising challenge for the Brighter Lives Larapinta Trek.

Health service staff and community members are taking on the six-day challenge in the Northern Territory to support the charity brighten the lives of patients, visitors, and staff in Townsville HHS facilities across the region.

Join Louisa at the Greenwood Park basketball court on Thuringowa Drive at 6.30am on Saturday, 4 May.

“I’m asking participants to make a $10 donation in cash or via my fundraising link (https://brighter-lives.grassrootz. com/brighter-lives-larapinta-2024/louisa-sanders-larapintatrek-2024/) ,” she said.

“The workout will be a fun and inclusive challenge which is suitable for all fitness levels.

“All you need is a towel and water bottle and lots of enthusiasm.”

Louisa said she was ready to take on the Larapinta Trek’s physical challenge and excited to see the beauty of the Northern Territory.

“I decided to join the Brighter Lives Larapinta Trek because I love doing things that push me to my limits and this week-long trek will be no different,” she said.

“I have never been to the NT, so this trek is an amazing opportunity to see the beautiful landscapes with a local guide.”

Louisa said she was ‘beyond grateful for every single person’ who had donated to her the fundraiser and gave a special shoutout to the oncology department.

“So far, I have raised just over $1,600, but I am aiming to reach the goal set by Brighter Lives of $3,500,” she said.

“I hope to see you all there on Saturday to help raise funds for Brighter Lives.

“If early mornings are not your thing, you can still contribute by enjoying a sweet treat at my bake sale next Friday.”

ONCOLOGY BAKE SALE

Bring along your cash & help raise funds for Brighter Lives

WHEN: Friday 3 May 8:30 - 11am

WHERE: Cancer Centre corridor

Louisa Sanders

Showcase celebrates allied health stars

Excellence in First Nations allied healthcare has been celebrated at the Allied Health Showcase and Awards.

Executive director allied health Danielle Hornsby said the recent showcase, on April 18, centred on initiatives and services that delivered culturally safe care for First Nations patients and their families.

“I’m always incredibly proud when I hear about the creativity, collaboration and innovation that define the way our allied health professionals practise every day,” she said.

“During this showcase, we heard from five allied health professionals about how they have adapted their work and practice to have big impacts on culturally safe care.

“The winner, and it was hard to choose, was the Evolve team, which works with some of the most vulnerable youth in our community.”

Danielle said the team delivered holistic, culturally safe, and responsive care to improve the health and wellbeing of First Nations youth.

“They also demonstrated how their team supports connection to culture and community and how First Nations staff within the team are recognised for the value of cultural authority in the service delivery.

“Brandon Vilaysack’s presentation of the team’s work highlighted its use of cultural traditions like smoking ceremonies and traditional fishing for connection and healing which are so integral to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ways of knowing, being, and doing.”

The showcase also included presentations from several staff about some of the amazing work being done across the health service.

This included: Nerida Ramsbotham - Implementation of Prechtl’s assessment (physiotherapy)

Evolve Therapeutic Services – Culturally Responsive Care

Sophie Deeth – Food Service Provision to Alec Illin Secure Mental Health Rehabilitation Unit (dietetics)

Anya Gordon -Implementation of Learning through Everyday Activities with Parents (LEAP-CP Screening Study) (physiotherapy)

Christine Hobbs & Henry Wang - Saving Indigenous Feet (podiatry)

Danielle said the showcase was held four times a year and provided an opportunity for allied health professionals to showcase their work.

“We were privileged to have Liza-Jane McBride, Queensland Health’s chief allied health officer, and Mick Illin, local Elder and team leader with the Indigenous health division, as our guest judges this time,” she said.

“I can’t wait for the next showcase in July.

“If you know of an allied health professional or team doing some amazing work, please thank and acknowledge them, and consider nominating them for one of our remaining three showcase events throughout 2024.”

Spotlight Award recipients Dominique Hanson, Morgan Appleby, Sarah Deacon, Adam Stringini, Jessica Lester, Christie Whatley

Timothy O’Donnell from Evolve Therapeutic Services

Health service hosts inaugural Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander all-staff forum

The health service marked a significant milestone in its journey towards health equity by hosting the first-ever Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander all-staff forum.

Close to 100 staff from across the HHS attended the groundbreaking event on Friday 12 April in the Robert Douglas Auditorium, with guest speakers including chief First Nations health ffficer Haylene Grogan.

Townsville Hospital and Health Service executive director Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health Amanda Cooms said the forum was an important step forward in improving health outcomes for First Nations peoples.

“The forum not only served as a platform for dialogue and sharing of experiences but also set the stage for the implementation of strategies aimed at increasing the representation and engagement of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff within the health service,” she said.

“Our journey must include connectedness, our staff must be valued and empowered and encouraged to be part of our organisation’s journey to health equity through truth telling.

“Only then can we understand and facilitate the system change required to eliminate racism and improve cultural safety and accessibility to services for our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community members.

“The event concluded with commitments to continue these vital conversations and to hold regular forums to support the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workforce.

“Attendees left with renewed vigour to advocate for, and implement, meaningful change and true health equity.”

Check out some of the photo highlights from the event on the next page.

Staff attend the inaugural forum joined by Board Chair Tony Mooney, COO Stephen Eaton, executive director Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health Amanda Cooms, Elders Gracelyn Smallwood and Francis Tapim and chief First Nations health officer Haylene Grogan

Health service hosts inaugural Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander all-staff forum

Staff come together at the inaugural forum

Haylene Grogan Michael Illin

Tony Mooney

Stephen Eaton

A Brighter Note...

Bay to Base: it’s not a race, it’s an adventure

The slogan of Bay to Base is not just a catchy saying, it describes the whole event: a noncompetitive and fully supported trek across Magnetic island.

Held this weekend, the event is the brainchild of Daina Clark from Inspired Adventure who noticed a gap in the market of inclusive adventure activities.

“It is truly an inclusive and fun event, with courses from 5km to 25km. The 5km course is designed for all abilities including wheelchair users,” Daina said.

“It means that everyone can enjoy the outdoors.”

Daina donates part of the proceeds from registrations to charity every year. This year, she has selected Brighter Lives.

Brighter Lives Chair Alicia Fowles said the support was appreciated.

“We are excited to be the charity beneficiary this year for Bay to Base,” she said.

“The funds raised will be put to good use to support projects for the Magnetic Island Health Service.

“Thanks to donations from our community, we have recently funded a tonometer and bladder scanner for Magnetic Island meaning faster diagnosis on the island.”

Carly Batten took part in last year’s Bay to Base and is back again this year. She has entered the 5km course after training with her physio, Cat Lansky, to prepare.

Cat said training for the event was great for Carly’s treatment.

“The event has been so good for Carly; it gave her a goal to aim towards and her gait and walking endurance have improved so much over the past 12 months.”

Brighter Lives will have a contingent of volunteers in yellow shirts at the event to cheer participants across the finish line.

“We rely on volunteers and fundraising events like this one, as well donations to continue making a difference in north Queensland. Thank you to all the participants of Bay to Base and Daina for digging deep to help a local charity,” Alicia said.

If you would like to make a donation to Brighter Lives please visit www.brighterlives.org.au/donate

Carly and her physiotherapist, Cat completing last year’s Bay to Base

“We are eternally grateful to all of you. Each one of you are meticulous in your professional care, often going the extra mile. We thank God for each and every one of you.”

CARDIAC WARD

“Just a small note for the way staff looked after our grandson. The two times he’s been in hospital for procedures we have found all the doctors and nurses to be caring. Nothing was a problem to them. I would like if you could tell the staff and doctors how pleasant and thankful we are for the way they looked after us.”

PAEDIATRICS

“Can honestly say I felt very special during my visits, staff are without exception amazing. What is a very stressful time in my life has been made easier with the care and compassion I have received.”

GYNAECOLOGY

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

Changes to TUH campus staff and QFleet vehicle parking

As the next steps in the $530 million project to deliver a new clinical building at Townsville University Hospital are taken there will be some changes to parking for staff.

Carparking

• From Friday 26 April, All QFleet vehicles will be relocated from Carpark 19 to the eastern campus at the front of the Rehabilitation Unit.

• From Monday 29 April, night shift staff will be able to use their swipe card to access to the public carpark between the hours of 6pm and 2am, and must depart by 8am.

• From Monday 29 April, the extended day shift carpark, carpark 14, will close permanently.

• From Monday 29 April, extended day shift staff will have access to carpark 19.

• From Wednesday 8 May, Angus Smith Drive verge parking above carpark 14 will close permanently.

• Effective immediately there will be no access to car parks 4 & 7 before 1pm daily to preserve parks for afternoon/late shift parking

These changes to carparking and Angus Smith Drive are necessary to allow the managing contractors BESIX Watpac to begin work on diverting the stormwater network which will allow for construction of the new clinical building.

Road diversion

As part of the early works, a temporary road closure on Angus Smith Drive is also required from late May for at least two months. To allow for this road closure, the following will occur:

• From late May, patients, staff, and visitors entering the campus via the Angus Smith Drive roundabout will be diverted to a new temporary road which will be established through the site of Carpark 14.

• Access to all charity houses will be maintained as part of this temporary diversion.

Please follow all signage in these areas and park only in marked bays as to not impede access or pose further logistical challenges.

The above changes are necessary as part of the $530 million project to deliver a new clinical service building at TUH.

This is just one of many projects currently taking place on campus and we appreciate everyone’s patience during this period of change.

For more information please contact THHSInfrastructureRedevelopment@health.qld.gov.au

Capital works update

Recipe of the week

Apricot and coconut bliss

balls - supplied by TUH dietitians

Makes 20 serves

Ingredients

• 3 CUPS DRIED APRICOTS

• 1 CUP ALMOND MEAL

• 1⁄2 CUP DESICCATED OR SHREDDED COCONUT

• 1⁄2 CUP LINSEEDS

• 2 TBSP ORANGE JUICE

• 1 TBSP ORANGE ZEST

• 1 TBSP MAPLE SYRUP

• 1 CUP WHITE SESAME SEEDS, FOR ROLLING

Method

1. Place all the ingredients except sesame seeds into a food processor. Blitz until combined and holding together.

2. Roll mixture into large walnut-sized balls, then roll in sesame seeds to coat.

3. Store in an air-tight container in the refrigerator.

Hot tips

You can freeze for up to 2-3 months for some goodies later.

These make great snacks for school lunches/post -workout

Versatile recipe – can swap to other ingredients if any allergies/intolerances

Laugh of the week

FOR SALE

INSIGHT Upright Stationery bike in very good condition. It has transportation wheels, 150kg capacity, water bottle holder, 9 x pre-set programs, contact heart rate monitor, easy seat adjustment and a comfortable seat. $600.00. Call Karin on 0447 482 121.(26/4)

PURE BORDER COLLIE PUP- 1 black & white female left

Price: $1,200: Vet checked/microchipped/vaccinated. Very loyal and loving breed – great for an active person/family/ She’s a real sweetheart and loves the water! Please call/text

Melissa 0426 819 519. BIN0014180938042 (12/4)

If anyone is interested in purchasing a Kangen Water (Enagic) K8 get in touch with me. It is Enagic’s most powerful antioxidant machine and has many uses. Naomi0439 021 984(12/4)

FOR RENT

Short-term accommodation available in Mundingburra. 1 bedroom self-contained unit, fully furnished including Wi-Fi / Electricity. Located in a secure gated complex. Photos available on request. Please contact 0419 664 534 for further information.(26/4)

A lovely house in North Ward is avalible. It is a located in a very nice spot. Walking distance to Strand. Very suitable for young families. https://www.realestate.com.au/propertyhouse-qld-north+ward-439085364 (26/06)

Email classifieds to tsv-public-affairs@health.qld.gov.au with subject ‘Classifieds’. Do not send classifieds as attachments.

Photos will not be included. Submissions for classifieds should be no longer than 50 word in a plain-text email. Classifieds longer than this will not be included.

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