blah blah blah
Staff BBQ a sizzling success
Daniel Rivera, Rob Berglin, and Patrick Brennan enjoying the 2024 Townsville University Hospital staff thank you BBQ Story & Photos on Page 3 & 4
Dear colleagues,
We are well into the swing of our staff thank-you events. During the last fortnight, we had the Townsville University Hospital (TUH) Thank You BBQ, as well as lunches at the Kirwan Health Campus, Public Health Unit, North Ward, and Magnetic Island. I have enjoyed chatting with staff from across the organisation while on the tongs at TUH and then at Kirwan. The TUH event is a feat of logistics and I’m thankful to the media, communications, and engagement team for their management of the event, as well as the BEMs and support services teams that do so much to make it a success. Some fun facts for the TUH event were that staff ate 100kg of steak (the same steak we serve our patients), 80kg of sausages, 60kg of coleslaw, 50kg of onions, 40kg of pasta salad and 40kg of potato salad. We increased the steak order by 20kg this year, and I reckon we could almost do that again next year as well given we ran out. The funny thing was after getting home from the BBQ we had family over, so you guessed it, I was cooking on the BBQ again that night!
Thank you to everyone who has been involved in assisting with our short-notice survey this week against the national standards. We have had a team of 15 surveyors here from the Australian Council on Healthcare Standards and from my perspective, it has been a wonderful opportunity to hear from people who are experts in the standards and for us to showcase the many things we are proud of. I know the survey team have been out and about across the health service (some even ventured further than anticipated after missing a turn on the way to Richmond). This is our first time experiencing a shortnotice assessment and while I know we have all worked very hard to be ready at short notice, it is always the case that with such an experienced team of assessors, there will be things we hadn’t considered. I have a daily briefing with the lead assessor so it’s always a bit of a rollercoaster week as matters are raised, hopefully addressed with more information, and then new matters are raised! I’m looking forward to the summation on Friday.
As well as the organisation-wide survey we also had an accreditation visit from the College of Paediatric Intensive Care Medicine. These college visits are important because they determine our accreditation to train registrars. The team meet with our current registrars to understand their views and experiences here, along with our consultants, and senior nursing staff as well. I usually also get the chance for a quick chat. We pride ourselves as a teaching hospital and being known for excellent teaching helps us with our recruitment.
It was World Pharmacy Day on Wednesday (25 September) which was a great opportunity to celebrate the work our pharmacists do across the HHS. From traditional dispensing roles to ward-based pharmacists, overseeing our anti-microbial stewardship program, supporting prescribing staff with advice on complex drug interactions, and of course educating our consumers to name just a few important examples. Our pharmacists are valued members of our healthcare team. Thank you for the work you do providing care to our patients.
While I was away on leave the tender process for the community health expansion concluded and I’m pleased work will be getting underway soon. There is still some design work to be done so the first cab off the rank will be the car park improvements. We are working towards completion of the overall project, which includes refurbishment of the existing oral health clinic space, by early 2026. We have also awarded the tender for the construction of the CT scanner at the Ingham hospital which will be a welcome addition to their service. The tender for the Charters Towers CT scanner is currently out to market.
Thanks to Stephen for covering as acting chief executive while I took a short break, and thanks to Ann Marie for stepping into Stephen’s role as the chief operating officer. While I only had 10 days away, I managed to do a lot of different things, from a wonderful Father’s Day celebration with family, some golf, the local rugby union grand finals, a trip to Montes Reef Resort at Cape Gloucester (highly recommend), and some time in South Australia where I also attended a learning set. It was the longest Alison and I had been away without our children and while we thoroughly enjoyed our break, it was good to come home.
Kieran Keyes
Health Service Chief Executive
2024 staff BBQ
Our executive team fired up the BBQ to express gratitude to the incredible team at Townsville Hospital and Health Service.
The executive team and board members gathered to celebrate and recognise the dedication of our doctors, nurses, allied health professionals, and support staff, who have gone above and beyond over the past year.
It was a wonderful opportunity to come together, share stories, and enjoy each other’s company outside the usual hustle and bustle of the daily work routines.
The BBQ was not just about food, It was about honouring the commitment and hard work of every individual working in our hospital.
Chief executive Kieran Keyes
Elderene Brostrom, Michaela Thomas, Amber Scull
Staff lining up for the BBQ!
Surgical services group director Anthony Williams and chief medical officer Niall Small
Jordyn Garner
Medical service group director Ann Marie Mallett
Chief operating officer Stephen Eaton
Maria Higgs honoured for outstanding nursing contribution
In a celebration of nursing excellence, Townsville University Hospital (TUH) nurse unit manager Maria Higgs was awarded the 2024 Qsuper award in the north Queensland region for outstanding nursing contribution.
Maria is an integral part of the Townsville Hospital and Health Service (THHS), transitioning from emergency departments to simulation centres, into her current role as medical ward two nurse unit manager, which she has held for nearly a decade.
Maria’s colleague, medical ward two clinical nurse consultant Jacinta Verzelletti said staff from across the hospital and the ward joined together to nominate Maria for the award.
“Maria is someone who always leads by example, and no problem is ever too big,” Jacinta said.
“She always finds a way to navigate around issues, nurture ideas and suggestions, and consistently advocates for patient and staff safety.”
Maria said it was overwhelming to be recognised by her team.
“Everyone kept the award a complete surprise and when I opened the door to the staff tearoom and saw everyone gathered to congratulate me, I was shocked,” Maria said.
“My favourite thing about my team is their compassion and their integrity.
“This compassion is clear in the effort and time they took to nominate me for the award and keep the celebration a surprise for so long.”
Qsuper regional manager Julie Bates said the award honoured those who exemplify the spirit and dedication of the profession.
“QSuper, part of Australian Retirement Trust, celebrated International Nurses Day and Day of the Midwife in order to acknowledge the extraordinary contribution made by nurses and midwives each and every day,” Julie said.
“As part of this celebration, we asked staff and colleagues from across Queensland to nominate an inspirational nurse or midwife who deserved to be recognised.
“Maria Higgs was nominated by Glenn Jackson and members of medical ward two at TUH.
“Glenn even said the word limit on the nomination form prevented him from illustrating every aspect of Maria’s excellent performance.”
A huge congratulations to Maria! Thank you for your dedication to your team, your patients, and the HHS.
Maria Higgs and her team in TUH medical ward 2
TUH paediatric respiratory specialist research recognised in global journal
The Townsville Hospital and Health Service (THHS) has made strides in respiratory health following the release of ground-breaking research into chronic coughs by north Queensland’s only paediatric respiratory and sleep specialist Dr Dustin Mills.
Dr Mills recently contributed to a special edition of one of the world’s most influential respiratory journals, the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine (AJRCCM), as part of his PhD researching chronic wet cough and bronchiectasis in children.
The article “Radiographic Outcomes in Paediatric Bronchiectasis and Factors Associated with Reversibility” featured on the front cover of the AJRCCM in a recent special edition on bronchiectasis.
Chronic cough is defined in children as a cough every day for more than four weeks.
Dr Mills said it was not uncommon for kids to have a chronic cough, but there needed to be appropriate assessment and management as it could signify serious underlying lung disease.
“A chronic wet/productive cough can lead to irreversible lung damage called bronchiectasis, where the breathing tubes become chronically infected with bacteria and scarring can occur,” Dustin said.
“Bronchiectasis is an often neglected, but not uncommon chronic lung disease in children, with the highest rates described in marginalised Indigenous communities.
“Importantly if chronic wet cough is diagnosed early and treated appropriately, bronchiectasis can be prevented, or even reversed in some children as their lungs continue to grow and heal, as shown in my research.
“Chronic wet cough is often underdiagnosed or misdiagnosed as conditions like asthma, leading to preventable burdens on children and their families.
“Untreated chronic wet cough can lead to bronchiectasis and delays in appropriate treatment can lead to irreversible lung damage and decline in lung function, predisposing these children to a life with frequent or unremitting cough, recurrent antibiotic use, hospitalisations, and ultimately a shortened life expectancy.
“That is why it is vital that any child with a cough every day for more than four weeks is seen by a healthcare provider.”
Nurse practitioner candidate chronic respiratory Leigh Francis, Florence Collins and Dr Dustin Mills
Three-year-old Florence Collins experienced recurrent episodes of chronic wet cough since she was six-months old.
She was brought to Townsville University Hospital where tests showed she had early bronchiectasis.
She was started on a bronchiectasis plan, which included antiinflammatory medication, physiotherapy, immunisations, and other treatments.
She’s now been cough free for six months.
Florence’s parents Jannika and Matthew Collins said the care they received has dramatically improved their quality of life as a family.
“Florence now sleeps better, she doesn’t miss daycare which means we don’t miss work, and we don’t have recurrent hospital visits,” Jannika said.
“The care from Dustin and nurse navigator Leigh has been amazing from early explanations to ongoing support.
“Having access to a doctor with this speciality, that we can get in contact with whenever we had concerns, is a saving grace and means we didn’t have to travel to Brisbane for specialist appointments.”
Dustin said his work as a paediatric respiratory and sleep specialist encapsulated a wide range of settings from acute care to long-term management of chronic conditions.
“Witnessing improvements in patient outcomes and the positive impact on both children and their families, including enhanced quality of life and reduced health-related stress is rewarding, particularly when we can deliver care closer to home for young people and their families,” he said.
“We are fortunate in Australia to be guided by Professor Anne Chang from the Queensland Children’s Hospital who has been a champion for lung health in Indigenous children, particularly bronchiectasis.
“Professor Chang is one of a number of my amazing PhD supervisors and I look forward to providing opportunities for north Queensland families to be involved in our ongoing research.”
Dustin said research to understand the lung health and function of children like Florence through their life course was ongoing.
The Lung Association of Australia hosts resources for parents with children with chronic cough including a section “Questions to ask your child’s GP” Chronic Cough in Children - Lung Foundation Australia.
Matthew Collins, Dr Dustin Mills, Florence and Jannika Collins
A deadly start for allied health trainees
The Deadly Start program is off to a great start for its second year at Townsville University Hospital (TUH) with new opportunities for a cohort of 12 Townsville students.
Deadly Start is a school-based traineeship program providing students with the opportunity to gain hands-on experience and valuable insights into various healthcare professions.
The 12 new trainees marked the beginning of their year long journey with a morning tea to meet supervisors and mentors in the allied health discipline.
Indigenous workforce coordinator Alisha Kyle said the students spend one full day a week in the hospital, rotating through different allied health departments to gain an understanding of the pathways available.
“All of our allied health supervisors have been amazing in supporting placements for the whole cohort this year showcasing their commitment to increasing our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workforce,” Alisha said.
“The aim of Deadly Start is not only to introduce trainees to potential career paths but also to equip them with practical skills and qualifications, including a certificate in allied health assistance.
“By offering hands-on experience and exposure to various roles, the students will be able to make more informed decisions about their future.”
Deadly Start trainee Peyton Wedel said she was excited for the experience and the opportunity to learn more about a career in healthcare.
“I’m not yet sure what I want to do after graduation so I thought even if I don’t choose a career in health, having the qualifications and training will help to set me up for any path I take,” Peyton said.
“Plus, it’s been amazing to learn about the different fields of allied health, and a few have already grabbed my attention.”
Peyton said the program was also a great way to meet new people outside of her own school and grow her confidence in a workplace setting.
“Meeting the other trainees was initially daunting, but it’s been great to build friendships and connections outside of my school and step out of my comfort zone.”
We look forward to following the journey of the Deadly Start trainees over the next 12 months.
2024 trainees Taraleah Finta – Brown, Kristy Brown, Lykira Nona, Peyton Wedel, Sophie Johnson.
Awareness month puts FASD team in spotlight
This World Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) awareness month the Child Development Service (CDS) has highlighted their work in supporting children with suspected and identified FASD.
FASD clinical psychologist Alexandrea Hofmann said the CDS team facilitated a FASD assessment and diagnostic clinic.
“The clinic provides access to multidisciplinary assessment and diagnostic formulation to explore a possible diagnosis of FASD and link with ongoing supports within the community,” she said.
“The team is made up of paediatricians and registrars as well as allied health clinicians such as psychology, health worker, speech pathology and physiotherapy.
“Families in rural communities can access the program through outreach to sites including Palm Island, Ayr, Ingham, Charters Towers, Richmond and Hughenden.”
Caitlin said FASD was prevalent in the community, with more than half of all pregnancies in Australia being unplanned.
“In Australia, FASD is estimated to impact between two to five per cent of the population with the greatest burden being on the mainstream, middle-class population where the disorder often goes undiagnosed or misdiagnosed,” she said.
“Our service also aims to support those impacted by FASD in our region with a monthly support group.
“The group is an avenue for parents and caregivers of children who have accessed the clinic to connect and receive support in an informal setting.
“We offer arts, crafts, and morning tea which provides a comfortable environment for people to talk about their personal experiences and feel understood and supported.”
Health worker Deb Marsden with consumer May creating a bag with her artwork
Speech pathologists celebrated at TUH symposium
Staff from across the speech pathology department came together at Townsville University Hospital (TUH) last month to celebrate the positive impact the profession has on patients in north Queensland.
The annual Townsville Hospital and Health Service Speech Pathology Symposium was a chance for ‘speechies’ to network, learn from each other, and reflect on the importance of their roles.
Townsville Hospital and Health Service speech pathology acting assistant director Renee Hudson said one of the highlights of the event was hearing from those with lived experience.
“It was lovely to see so many presenters talk about their lived experience this year and how speech pathology has had a positive impact on their lives,” she said.
“We do such important work so it’s great to have feedback about the difference we are making.”
The symposium at TUH was just one of many events held nationwide for Speech Pathology Week.
This year’s theme, “Communicate Your Way,” highlighted the diverse communication needs that speech pathologists help patients achieve.
“As speech pathologists, we work across the whole life span from babies to elderly patients to improve communication and/or swallowing”, Renee said.
“And Speech Pathology Week is a fantastic opportunity to celebrate our wonderful profession and the hard working staff in our health service.”
Karina Nikolaychuk, Georgia Harris, Lucy Mullins, Sandy Magro, Renee Hudson, Milla Strano, and Damir Muftic
Warrior Wahley born on highway
Born 16 weeks early in an ambulance on the side of the highway, near Tully, in the early hours of Mother’s Day, Wahley Punch-Bolte is a miracle in every sense of the word.
Hand-ventilated by the local hospital team for three hours, under the guidance of a Townsville University Hospital neonatologist, while a specialist crew boarded a mercy flight to retrieve him, this warrior baby is now 140 days old and more than triple his birth weight.
For mum Tamarah Punch and dad Jakinta Bolte, Wahley is a precious new addition to their family which includes big sister Zariah, six, and a large extended family in the far north.
Tamarah’s pregnancy had been uneventful, but all that changed the day before Mother’s Day.
“I had pains from when I woke up, but I didn’t think they were contractions,” she said.
“Later that night, the pains were coming every two minutes so I called an ambulance.
“I was taken to Tully Hospital and then I went in the ambulance to have him in Innisfail but five or 10 minutes down the road they had to pull over and I had him the ambulance.”
By this time, it was the early hours of Sunday morning Mother’s Day.
Tamarah and her tiny baby boy, weighing just 600g, were rapidly transferred into a second waiting ambulance with infant resuscitation equipment and an incubator and rushed back to Tully Hospital where medical and nursing teams were waiting.
Also waiting, via a videolink from Townsville University Hospital, was neonatologist Professor Yoga Kandasamy, who expertly guided the local team in Wahley’s care.
“He needed manual breathing support and the team in Tully did an amazing job to keep him stable,” Yoga said.
While Yoga was on videolink, nurse practitioner Barbara Monk and clinical nurse Sarah Currie were airborne on a QGAir helicopter bound for Tully Hospital.
“There was fog and our pilot, Sacha Gimenez, did a brilliant job to get us there so quickly and safely,” Barbara said.
“Once we landed, around 3am, I was very relieved to see Wahley.
“We put a breathing tube in and some umbilical lines into his belly button to give him fluids.
“Once he was tubed and lined, we gathered him up in our warm incubator, had some photos taken with Tamarah and Jakinta, and what felt like the whole of Tully Hospital, and brought him back to Townsville.”
From left: Clinical nurse Sarah Currie, pilot Sacha Gimenez, nurse practitioner Barbara Monk, aircrew officer Mark Dainer, ANTS clinical lead Dr Sue Ireland, and rescue crew member Bec Stedman
For Dr Sue Ireland, clinical director of the aeromedical neonatal transport service (ANTS), Wahley was proof positive of the work the service does in looking after preterm and critically ill babies who need specialist care.
“ANTS is critical to the successful care of babies like Wahley,” she said.
“I’m so proud of the work we do and of our flexibility to send the right team to a retrieval with almost no notice.
“It all came together that night, the training, our communication with retrieval services and Tully Hospital, and Wahley being here today is testament to that.
“We can’t do what we do without the wonderful work of RSQ, RFDS, CareFlight, and QGAir.”
Adding to the miracle, Wahley was born inside an intact amniotic sac, a rare event known as an en caul birth.
Sue said she had seen an en caul birth twice in her entire career.
“It almost never happens; Wahley is extraordinary,” she said.
Despite his miracle birth and heroic retrieval, the next few months were anything but smooth sailing for Wahley with complication after complication.
“Because Tamarah imminently birthed, she didn’t get the steroids antenatally which help with the baby’s lung and brain development, so he had lots of infections and complications,” Ms Monk said.
“But now he’s a new boy who’s come out the other side.”
For Wahley’s parents, the challenges of the past few months are now happily behind them.
“It’s had its ups and downs, but we’ve come through staying positive and being patient,” Tamarah said.
“It was all worth it; he’s come good.”
“It was definitely a miracle,” Jakinta said.
“His birth was very tense but at the same time a sense of happiness.”
Tamarah Punch, Wahley Punch-Bolte, and Jakinta Bolte
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 | 11 00am
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
Car maker in driver’s seat for hospital donations
A generous donation has helped to improve comfort and provide life-saving medical equipment to some of Townsville University Hospital’s most vulnerable patients.
Hyundai Australia, through its Help For Kids Foundation, has donated four new fit-for-purpose recliners and an electrocardiogram (ECG) machine for the children’s oncology ward and paediatric intensive care unit (PICU).
The recliners have been used to give parents a comfortable place to sit in the children’s oncology ward while there with their child, while the ECG machine is a dedicated resource for PICU to help monitor some of north Queensland’s most critically unwell children.
Clinical nurse consultant Phillip Mauger said the chairs had been a very welcome addition to the ward.
“Parents can spend hours on end in the children’s oncology ward with their child while receiving care and these chairs will help make their stay more comfortable,” Phillip said.
“The chairs had to meet certain requirements, including being able to be cleaned to a hospital-grade standard, provide allday comfort for parents and children, and be breast-feeding friendly.
“We have already received positive feedback from parents who have used the chairs and have been able to sit with their child in comfort.”
PICU nurse unit manager Michelle Clark said an ECG machine is a valuable tool when looking after some of the community’s most vulnerable patients.
“This essential monitor provides vital patient information and will guide the management of north Queensland’s most critically unwell children,” Michelle said.
“It will also greatly improve our unit’s efficiency, as until now we have been sharing an ECG with another service.”
Hyundai Australia’s regional general manager Michael Torrisi said a portion of every Hyundai sold goes into the foundation.
“The foundation is dedicated to helping make a difference for kids, including for things like new equipment for hospitals,” Michael said.
“Our part is small, but we also understand the impact our help makes and this is why the foundation exists.
“Healthcare is extremely important to us along with making a real difference in the community.”
PICU nurse unit manager Michelle Clarke, clinical nurse consultant Phillip Mauger, Hyundai Australia regional general manager Michael Torrisi, and Pickerings Hyundai Townsville dealer principal Jaret Grant.
Forum empowering Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders that work in health
The Townsville Hospital and Health Service (HHS) held its second Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander all staff forum themed “Keeping the passion when working in adversity.”
Townsville is the only HHS in Queensland to offer a forum of this kind to identify the complexities Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples working in health face.
Executive director of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Amanda Cooms said the gathering was about getting staff together to share experiences, build resilience, and validate feelings within the community.
“Understanding each other’s experiences within the health system inspires us all to look toward our own journeys and contributions,” Ms Cooms said.
“Many staff express a renewed sense of safety and empowerment following on from the forums because they get to hear from those that have come before them and their strategies to overcome adversity.
“By sharing experiences and connecting with each other, the forum builds a culture of resilience that ultimately benefits the communities we serve.”
“We don’t want to just grow our health worker workforce, we want to inspire our community members and young people so that we have more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander doctors, nurses, and allied health professionals joining the workforce.”
The forum featured speakers including Indigenous mental health worker Aunty Dawn Charteris and Joyce Palmer Health Service senior medical officer Dr Robert Blackley.
Robert shared his experience growing up and working on Palm Island and across Australia on programs to improve health outcomes for Indigenous communities.
“We don’t know the profound impact that we have on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people that come through the health service,” he said.
“It’s a little smile that could make all the difference in someone feeling like they’re not lost in the system.
“Health is complicated, and it’s scary, and every little bit helps.
Whether it’s through administration, helping with travel, health leaders and officers, nurses and health professionals, everybody around the health service doing a little bit makes a difference to patient outcomes.”
Robert explained to attendees the importance of selfcare when working in health.
“You can’t help anyone become well unless you’re well,” he said.
“Reflect on your own mental and physical health, check in on yourself and others, and take breaks when you need too.”
Townsville HHS continues to coordinate these forums to raise the voice of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff and recognise the unique challenges they overcome to support the community.
Phillip Alley, Liela Murison, Daisha Johnson, Jamie Stanley, Jemma Hall, and Aunty Dawn Charteris
Executive Forum
Pala Leka, Mettassa Zaro, and Jacinta Mairu
Morgan Appleby
Margaret Wagg, Terri Quakawoot, Deb Marsden, and Robyn Hooley
Niskarski Kina, Blain Hogg, Sammy-Jo Kupfer, and John Bathern
Meagen Beaumont, Morgan Appleby, and Kadeisha Roberts
Depression, stress, and anxiety a laughing matter for mental health week
Some say laughter is the best medicine, and it’s something the Wellbeing@THHS team has prescribed for staff through The Laughter Clinic.
Comedian and suicidologist Mark McConville is the man behind clinic; a workshop which specialises in positive mental health selfcare strategies which are built around humour and laughter therapy.
Mark is Australia’s only full-time professional comedian with a masters in suicidology and will be a special guest at Townsville University Hospital during mental health week where he will be running his clinic for staff to attend over two days.
Wellness coordinator Toni-Marie Webb said it was a great opportunity to hear from one of the country’s most renowned presenters on mental health selfcare.
“Anyone who has seen Mark either in person or online will tell you how enjoyable and educational the clinic is,” Toni-Marie said.
“Laughter is a powerful tool which can significantly improve emotional wellbeing.
“It can help to reduce stress, enhance mood, create greater social connections, boost immune functions, relieve pain, and make it easier to cope with life’s challenges.
“The clinic focuses on the importance of incorporating laughter into our daily lives as a mental health selfcare strategy.
“The invitation has gone out for all staff to attend and gain some practical strategies to manage workplace stress, gain some insights on building resilience, have a light-hearted break, and understand the pressures of mental health.
Toni-Marie said there would be plenty of opportunities to see Mark during his twoday visit to TUH.
“Mark will be involved in a range of activities across the hospital and at the Mental Health Expo at the Robert Douglas Auditorium on 9 October,” she said.
“Staff will get the chance at the expo to discover some of the mental health services and support available within the Townsville Hospital and Health Service and the community.
“For staff unable to attend one of the sessions in person, there will be one available on Thursday 10 October from 10.30am.
“A full program is available on the Wellbeing@THHS page on QHEPS and I encourage everyone to find some time and attend one of the sessions and take advantage of the resources and support on offer.”
Comedian and suicidologist Mark McConville
Townsville Hospital and Health Service
Wednesday 9 October - 10am Eastern Terrace, Level 1, The Townsville Hospital
See all staff receiving a length-of-service award here.
Please contact townsvillehhs-engagement@health.qld.gov.au if you haven’t received your invite.
“Sincere thanks to the nurses, doctor and paramedic who treated me for a stonefish sting. The care was exceptional and I’m very grateful for having access to such experienced, knowledgeable, caring, and skilled clinicians in a scary situation and an isolated location. Thank you!”
MAGNETIC ISLAND HEALTH SERVICE
“Congratulations TUH on a well-oiled machine.
Compliments to all the staff who went out of their way to care for my husband. Compliments also to the ED nursing staff, and the cardiac team who were brilliant.”
TUH EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT AND CARDIAC WARD
“To Dr Ben David and team, thank you, thank you, thank you for saving our sons life. We know he is here today because of your hard work and expertise.
We are so grateful for that.”
TUH GENERAL SURGERY
A Brighter Note...
Brighter Lives celebrates 35 years of giving
For over 35 years, the Townsville Hospital and Health Service (THHS) official charity foundation has donated equipment, delivered projects, and funded research that has benefited the north Queensland region.
Today, Brighter Lives has 120 volunteers in Townsville, as well as Kirwan campus, Charters Towers, and Home Hill. Over the past three decades volunteers have given hours of their time.
Brighter Lives’ longest serving volunteer is Karen Inch who this year, has been volunteering at the hospital for 40 yearslonger than the foundation has existed!
Karen’s volunteer journey started in 1984 when Lorraine Arnold, a radiographer, felt there was a need to care for patients attending the special clinics department. At that time, there was no oncology service in north Queensland, so specialists flew to Townsville every Thursday to review patients from all over the north. With sometimes long waiting times, there was a need to comfort patients while they waited for the specialist appointment.
Karen, alongside other volunteers, would bake homemade biscuits and slices served on fine bone crockery for patients in the waiting room.
Swapping stories and recipes, Karen helped comfort and
reduce a bit of the stress for patients eagerly awaiting their medical update.
When the Kirwan Ladies Hospital was established, Karen volunteered her services there one day a week.
With the establishment of an oncology unit in Townsville, Karen returned to her original passion of volunteering with those with cancer. The original home-made treats and crockery are no more, but Karen has continued to be a pillar of strength for those waiting for their appointments.
Karen and all the other wonderful volunteers have made a lasting impact on THHS patients as well as their amazing assistance to THHS staff.
Brighter Lives is celebrating 35 years of giving with their Giving Day on 24 October. To continue giving back to the NQ community, they have asked THHS staff to sign up as a team to fundraise this Giving Day.
To register, go to www.charity.com/brighterlives24
For more information, contact Brighter Lives – brighterlives@ health.qld.gov.au or 4433 1337
Karyn Voevodin, Long-time Volunteer Karen Inch, THHS Board Chair Tony Mooney
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.
Capital works update
JCU vet sciences parking option extended
Additional parking for day-shift staff continues to be available at the JCU veterinary sciences carpark and has been extended until 30 June 2025.
Staff are encouraged to use this alternate carpark to avoid the further construction works and help ease parking congestion at the eastern campus.
Staff can collect a permit to park at this location from Health Security Department administration at the hospital. The carpark is accessible from Discovery Drive and purpose designed with security lighting, CCTV coverage, and pedestrian footpath connections to the Medilink building and the rear of the hospital. A short walkthrough video can be viewed here.
Staff who park their vehicles at this location 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 western end of Medilink adjacent to the Wilson Security car park (please refer to the accompanying image).
For more information on after-hours security escort please click here.
Please follow this link for more information on accessing this carpark as well as maps to assist you.
If you have any questions regarding parking, please contact TTHCampusOperations@health.qld.gov.au
If you have any questions on the Townsville University Hospital expansion project, please contact THHS-InfrastructureRedevelopment@health.qld.gov.au
Recipe of the blah
Lemon Meringue Pie supplied by TUH dietitians
Laugh of the blah
Serves 8-10
Ingredients:
Base
• 1 ½ cup rolled oat
• 1 cup coconut flakes
• 1 cup Medjool dates (pitted)
• 2 tbsp hot water
• 1 tbsp coconut oil
• 1 tsp vanilla extract pinch of salt
• 1 lemon, zested
Filling
• 2 eggs
• 2 egg yolks
• ¾ cup stevia
• 2 large lemons, juiced
• 1/3 cup butter
Meringue
• 400mL full-fat coconut milk
• 1 cup cashews
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tbsp stevia
• 3 tbsp coconut oil, melted
• Lemon zest to garnish
Method:
1. To make the base, put all the ingredients in a blender or food processor and blitz to combine. Press the mixture into a pie dish lined with plastic wrap. Place in the fridge to firm up.
2. To make the filling, combine the eggs and egg yolks with the stevia in a small saucepan and whisk well. Place the saucepan over a low heat and continue whisking until the mixture is thick, then add the lemon juice and butter. Continue whisking for a few more minutes. Once it is thick, remove from the heat then leave the mixture in the fridge for at least 2 hours before spreading over the base.
3. To make the meringue, put the coconut milk, cashews and vanilla extract in a food processor and blitz to combine. Add the stevia and keep blitzing until creamy, then add the melted coconut oil, Place the meringue in the fridge for 2 hours. It will thicken considerably. Remove from the fridge and give it a good whisk before spreading over the pie.
4. Serve the lemon meringue pie with lemon zest sprinkled over the top. Keep stored in the fridge.
Notes: If you leave the meringue mixture in the fridge for too long, it can get too thick. If this happens, add some milk when doing the second whisking. Do this with a hand blender if you have one. This recipe is best prepared the night before you wish to serve it- you need a few hours to chill the ingredients to set.
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)
FOR RENT
Two bedroom unit available from 24 September for short term /medium term stays located in Mundingburra. Fully furnished, linen provided, gated secure complex, wi-fi and electricity included. $550 per week. Photos available on request. Please contact Rufino 0419 664 534 for further information. (2/9)
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.
Classifieds will stay current for two issues of the blah. If you would like your ad to be continued after this time please resend the ad. We do not advertise services in the blah.