As the year marches on (is it too early in the column for a bad pun?) preparations are underway for Anzac Day across our city. As is always the case, we will host our ever-popular dawn service in the front garden at Townsville University Hospital on Friday 25 April at 0550 hours. In a bit of a twist, this year we will be joining the Thuringowa Anzac Day march. The staff I’ve spoken to at previous marches tell me they participate for a range of reasons, some have served, some are wanting to honour the contribution our hospital made in treating soldiers stationed in Townsville especially in WWII, and some are doing it to honour the memory of beloved family members that served. If any of these reasons appeal to you, or you would simply like to join with colleagues in honour of all that have served our country, please get in touch with our very own JJ jeffrey.jarrott@health. qld.gov.au for more details.
Last week the Chair and I had the privilege of hosting our new state MPs, together with the member for Hinchinbrook and staff from their offices. Often our MPs are approached by our patients with questions or concerns about aspects of our service, so it was important to be able to share our processes for responding to matters they raise with us. It was also a great opportunity to provide an overview of our health service and also to ensure they were aware of our challenges and priorities. In the same week the Chair and I hosted a visit from Mark Bailey MP, the Shadow Minister for Health. We took the opportunity to provide an overview of our health service and discuss some of our challenges and priorities.
Those of you that had the chance to tune into the all-staff broadcast this week would know that this year we have received a record 238 nominations for our annual Staff Excellence Awards. This is about 60 more than last year and having read quite a few of them already, I know the judging panel (including me) has a tough job on its hands. As I said on the broadcast, these awards are not possible without you taking the time to nominate a colleague, so a big thanks to those that did. The awards are on 19 June, so look out for more details soon, including the People’s Choice Award, where you get to vote on your favourite finalist.
I had a lot of very positive feedback on our International Woman’s Day event held at TUH this week. More than 100 people attended, either online or in person. Major Stacey Cooper provided a very relatable keynote address, which was followed by a panel including Major Cooper, our Deputy Board Chair Michelle Morton, and our clinical lead for urogynaecology services Dr Kurinji Kannan. The panel discussion, moderated superbly by Irene Jacovos (perhaps we have a new MC for the Staff Excellence awards?), covered many of the demands that so many women juggle every day and I think we were fortunate to have such amazing perspectives representing three very different careers.
Congratulations to everyone involved in organising the event.
On 25 March, we will be hosting a Health Equity Showcase between 0900 and 1500 at Gill Park, Pimlico. This is an important engagement opportunity with other service providers and our First Nations community. The Indigenous Health Service Division has sent out an invitation for those wanting to host a stall at the Showcase and I would encourage anyone interested to please get in touch with them if you’d like to participate.
I’ve been participating in more bed meetings and MDT meetings than ever in the last fortnight as we seek to improve our patient flow across a number of our hospitals. It’s clear to me everyone is working very hard on what is a complex, and at times, wicked problem. While we have a ways to go I want to acknowledge the efforts of the wide range of staff both at TUH and across our rural sites and residential aged care facilities.
Until next time, kk
Health staff encouraged to attend equity showcase and reflect ahead of Close the Gap Day
Townsville University Hospital staff are encouraged to show their committment to health equity by joining the community at the inaugural Townsville Hospital and Health Service’s Health Equity Showcase on 25 March.
The showcase follows Close the Gap Day on 20 March.
Executive director Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Amanda Cooms said closing the gap was not ‘just a policy or a report’.
“Health equity is about people,” she said.
“It is about the right to live strong, healthy lives, to grow old with dignity, and to pass knowledge and culture to future generations.
“For millennia, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have lived with strength, wisdom, and resilience on these lands.
“Yet, today, the disparities in healthcare, education, and economic opportunity mean that First Nations peoples are still fighting for basic human rights—the right to equitable healthcare, the right to thrive, and the right to be heard.”
Amanda said the Health Equity Showcase would provide a platform for meaningful consultation, feedback, and collaboration with First Nations communities about the current health equity strategy.
“The event will also help us to develop the next iteration of the strategy to 2029.”
Amanda said participants at the showcase would have the opportunity to engage with healthcare professionals, Indigenous health workers, and community leaders.
“The showcase will allow us to listen directly to the voices of First Nations people,” she said.
Amanda said the gap in health outcomes for First Nations peoples was still too wide.
“Infant mortality is higher for Indigenous infants and our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander colleagues live, on average, 10 years less than nonIndigenous Australians.
“These are not just statistics. They represent lives, families, and futures lost too soon. But we are not powerless, we all have a role to play in creating change walking alongside First Nations communities, and embedding cultural knowledge, strength and spirit into everything we do.”
In the lead up to Close the Gap Day, Amanda encouraged staff to reflect and act decisively by asking themselves three critical questions:
•How can you make our healthcare system culturally safer?
•How can you walk alongside First Nations partners to improve engagement and health outcomes?
•How can you contribute to breaking down systemic barriers—not just today, but every day?
The Townsville Hospital and Health Service Health Equity Showcase will be held on Tuesday 25 March between 9am and 3pm at Gill Park in Pimlico.
Amanda Cooms, Coral Ferguson, and Alisha Kyle
Women in health celebrated on International Women’s Day
Mum life, flexible working hours, and female stereotypes were among the topics at this year’s International Women’s Day (IWD) event at Townsville University Hospital.
More than 100 staff attended the event, sponsored by QSuper, in person and online this week to celebrate women in healthcare.
The keynote address was delivered by Major Stacey Cooper, Officer Commanding Operational Support Company, Lavarack Barracks, who was joined on a panel by deputy Board chair Michelle Morton, and director of urogynaecology Dr Kurinji Kannan.
Major Cooper told the audience IWD was a reminder of the progress women had made and the work that still lay ahead in the pursuit of gender equality.
“I’m an army officer, nurse, mother, and wife to a serving spouse,” she said.
“As women, we find ourselves juggling multiple responsibilities; however, my experience has been that these roles as mothers and wives enrich our leadership teaching us empathy, patience and, most importantly, the ability to multi-task effectively.”
Major Cooper said defence had long been viewed as a male-dominated environment with only 15 per cent of women in leadership roles.
“The women in leadership are unique; the scrutiny is more intense, and expectations higher,” she said.
“We’ve recognised, though, that women are strong and capable leaders across all aspects of defence with women now leading in combat force.”
Major Cooper said the army had taught her the value of discipline, resilience, and teamwork.
“Leadership is not about authority or titles or pay; it’s about service, lifting others up and creating an environment where everyone can thrive.”
Michelle said women today were still making history.
“When I started in law, there was one other female solicitor in our office and she got married and left and that was the given,” she said.
“I worked out then that I was different; I couldn’t do it like a man did it, I had to do it a different way but I didn’t have anyone to show me how.
“It’s really incredible to see all these female leaders and to be able to say, ‘that’s how they did it’ or ‘that’s how they dealt with that challenge’.”
Michelle Morton, Dr Kurinji Kannan, and Major Stacey Cooper
Kurinji said support from spouses and family was key to women developing their careers.
“I was fortunate to have huge support at home; my husband gave me all the support and opportunities I needed to get where I am,” she said.
“I’ve also had great support from my colleagues and workplaces; as women, if we are given enough opportunities, we can step up and do whatever the male community can do.”
Health service chief executive Kieran Keyes, who emceed the event, said he had been privileged from the outset of his career to have worked with female leaders.
“My earliest bosses were charge nurses, as we called them back then, who ran tight ships,” he said.
“It’s been normal for me to work beside strong women whose authority was respected, and it was a learned function for me later in my professional life that the way it is in health isn’t the way it is in broader workplaces in society.
“But I wonder if my perspective would have been different if I had started my professional career as a tradie instead of a nurse and I was now the CEO of Leadlease, or another construction company, instead of the CEO of a health service.”
Kieran closed the event by thanking the HHS’s 5,883 female staff.
“To all of you across the many and varied roles in the health service, thank you for your wisdom, expertise, and compassion,” he said.
“We are the richer for having you do what you do.”
Townsville Hospital and Health Service
Guests Major Stacey Coopers, Michelle Morton, and Dr Kurinji Kannan were on the panel for the IWD event
Narelle Burns, Kim Steele, and Annmarie Gerardis
IWD guests Michelle Morton, Major Stacey Cooper, and Dr Kurinji Kannan
Jackie Robertson and Marissa Rossberg
Katrina Morris, Bert Hall, and Jodie Gallagher
Katherine Glendon, Emma Hall, Naomi Mackee, and Cindy Cruz
Robin Copley, Vanessa Lynn, Vanessa Ernst, Jess Ohl, and Jo Hawkins
Dawn Service
Townsville Hospital and Health Service invites you to join us at a dawn service to commemorate past and present service men and women
Friday, 25 April at 5:50am
Townsville University Hospital Front Garden
Guests are welcome to lay a wreath or book
Queensland-first treatment for spinal leak
Diagnosing a rare condition is one thing but treating it successfully in a novel way is another. That’s exactly what happened when Townsville University Hospital (TUH) doctors diagnosed North Ward resident Rose Kruze with intracranial hypotension.
Rose had been suffering from severe headaches for nearly six months before neurosurgery specialist Dr Ramon Navarro made the diagnosis, finding Rose had lost significant pressure in her skull due to a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak.
One of the causes of a CSF leak is a CSF-venous fistula, where the fluid that surrounds the brain and spine leaks into the venous system due to a hole or tear in the protective layers around them. Symptoms include headaches, neck pain, dizziness, and nausea.
“I had a fall and broke my arm, but didn’t hit my head,” Rose said.
“Two weeks afterwards, I started getting a positional headache behind my eyes and forehead and the back of my head was also quite tender and couldn’t tolerate even resting my head against the couch.”
Rose initially presented at the Mater, where they found she was showing signs of brain haemorrhages and referred her onto the radiology team at TUH.
Interventional neuroradiology specialist Dr Muhammad Usman Manzoor said the condition was often underdiagnosed and required specialised techniques for diagnosis.
Doctors performed several myelograms (a medical imaging test that involves the injection of a special dye into the space around the spinal cord) and MRI to diagnose and find the leak in Rose’s spinal cord.
“Once we found the source of Rose’s leak, we were able to offer her treatment via endovascular technique as it’s less invasive with a quicker recovery time and shorter hospital stay,” Usman said.
The endovascular approach performed on Rose involved catheters being navigated through the veins of the leg into the site of the fistula and a glue being used to close the abnormal connection.
“After consulting with colleagues at Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, we believe this may have been the first time in Queensland a CSF leak has been treated by endovascular approach,” Usman said.
Rose, Usman and Ramon hope this case will raise awareness of CSF leaks and provide others with hope for an end to their debilitating headaches.
Dr Muhummad Usman Manzoor, Rose Kruze and Dr Ramon Navarro
Local brain injury service helps patients thrive
A Townsville-based service is helping north Queenslanders with brain injuries reclaim their independence by successfully returning to life in the community.
Since its launch in May 2024, the Brain Injury Community Integration Service (BICS) has helped 65 patients across the region manage their injuries while achieving goals like returning to work, driving, and getting involved in sport and recreation.
Stroke survivor Henk Pit credits the BICS team with helping him get back on his feet after suffering a devastating stroke in early 2023.
“My life changed in an instant on a quiet Sunday morning when I suddenly fell over while making tea,” Henk said.
“After a quick ambulance ride, thanks to my daughter’s quick thinking in calling triple zero, I spent two weeks in hospital and then months as an outpatient.
“At first, I was unable to move my arm or leg and I was really facing an uncertain future.
“But today, I’m able to walk with a walker, I volunteer at my local yacht club, and I’m planning a trip to visit family in Brisbane, Melbourne, and Adelaide.”
Henk said he wouldn’t have been able to achieve these milestones without the support of the BICS team in Townsville.
“I’m so thankful that my rehabilitation coordinator Melanie Senent, and the rest of the BICS team, were so fantastic in supporting me during this challenging time,” he said.
“Without BICS, I would have struggled adapting; I’m so thankful to have this important service available close to home.”
Henk’s rehabilitation coordinator Melanie Senent said the BICS service ensured patients experienced continuity of care after leaving the hospital environment.
“It’s very important for us to step in at what can be a vulnerable time for the patient, when acute care ends and the intensity of outpatient rehab appointments becomes less frequent,” Melanie said.
“It’s incredibly rewarding for our team to see someone like Henk thriving in the community; whether it’s volunteering at the yacht club or planning a holiday, his progress has been fantastic.”
BICS team leader Jenny Quaill said the service offered up to 12 months support for clients through home visits, community outings, and phone or telehealth consults.
“BICS supports north Queenslanders with moderateto-severe brain injuries to transition back into the real world – whether it’s through working, driving or sport, or by helping clients and their families navigate complex health and disability systems, providing brain injury education and training, and building sustainable support networks around the impacted individuals,” she said.
“Given BICS has already experienced a high demand from the community since its launch in Townsville, we hope to secure permanent funding and to expand the service reach to ensure more people across north Queensland have access to this critical care close to home.”
Melanie Senent, Henk Pit and Jenny Quaill
Come from away with Jodie
Townsville Hospital and Health Service senior contract lawyer Jodie Bell may spend her nine to five navigating the complexities of law but, by night, she lights up the stage with her talents.
After moving from Adelaide in December 2000, Jodie has become a regular on the Townsville theatre scene performing in more than 20 local musical theatre productions.
Primarily known for comedic character roles Jodie said her most memorable characters included Eliza Doolittle in ‘My Fair Lady’ and Kate Monster in ‘Avenue Q’.
Beyond the spotlight, her love of theatre really comes from the people and being part of the broader theatre community.
“The music and the productions are secondary,” she said.
“The best part is belonging and being with a group of people all volunteering and working together to bring entertainment to the region. Many of my closest friends and most enduring connections have come from the theatre world.”
Jodie also plays an important role behind the scenes as the secretary of the Townsville Choral Society, where she uses her administrative skills to also support the arts and nurture local talent.
Despite her full-time career as a lawyer, Jodie embraces the opportunity to step into a different world when she’s performing.
“As a society I think we are learning to recognise the importance of ‘play’ and creativity to wellbeing, and how that then assists us to balance the demands and responsibilities of work. Stepping outside of the office and into a rehearsal room is a constant joy.
“Legal careers are generally very timeconsuming. I am truly grateful to be employed to a role where I still have opportunity to pursue passions, such as theatre and music, outside of work,” Jodie said.
Jodie will soon be stepping on stage for the North Queensland Opera and Musical Theatre’s ‘Come From Away’, opening from March 27 to April 5 at the Townsville Civic Theatre.
The show tells the inspiring true story of how the people in the tiny town of Gander, Newfoundland, Canada, opened their hearts and homes by hosting thousands of passengers from diverted international flights in the week following the September 11 attacks, while US airspace was closed.
“It’s a story about the best part of humanity, in the worst of times and will definitely leave the audience feeling uplifted and inspired. I have the privilege of playing a real-life character called Bonnie Harris, who rescued animals from the planes even though they thought the planes could be bomb threats!” Jodie said.
Get your tickets to ‘Come From Away’ from the Ticketshop website.
Jodie Bell
Marching on in the fight against melanoma
After a brief hiatus, the Melanoma March is due to make a comeback in Townsville and Townsville University Hospital’s dermatology team have put their best foot forward to lead the charge.
With no local march in Townsville in 2024, and having seen firsthand the impact of melanoma, particularly on young people, principal house officer Dr Maddy Kelly said she was inspired to give the event a new life.
“In dermatology, I am exposed to many young patients being surprised that they are diagnosed with melanoma,” Maddy said.
“It really highlighted to me that a lot of north Queenslanders have no idea how severe this disease is and how prevalent it is in the young population.
“I got myself involved with a few different community events and found the Melanoma Institute of Australia and discovered there hadn’t been a march in Townsville for a while.”
According to the institute, melanoma is the most common cancer affecting Australians aged 20 to 39 and every 30 minutes, one Aussie is told they have melanoma.
Maddy said she hoped the march would help generate a sense of community for those who have had, or were going through, treatment for melanoma.
“We were finding a lot of our patients in the clinics were talking about how disconnected they felt and how they didn’t know many people who were going through the same thing,” she said.
“That was kind of the driver to bring the march back.
“First and foremost, I want people to know the march is happening again in Townsville and hope it’ll become a pillar for the community and continue for many years to come.
“It would be great to see lots of people march and those who feel disconnected, bring them together to meet other people with similar stories to them.”
The Townsville Melanoma March is on Saturday 22 March, starting at the parkland at Tobruk Swimming Pool on the Strand.
You can register and donate through the Melanoma March website.
Dr Charlotte Cox, Dr Madeleine Kelly, and Dr Ruby Lee
Townsville Cancer Centre wins national award
The Townsville University Hospital’s Townsville Cancer Centre has been named the best regional, rural, and remote site in Australia by the country’s peak body for gastro-intestinal cancer research, the Australian GastroIntestinal Trials Group (AGITG).
Radiation oncologist Dr Tim Squire said to win the award was great recognition for all the hard work clinicians, nurses, scientists, and support staff did every day.
“Our world-class telehealth trials which help to recruit patients in rural and regional areas for trials was recognised by AGITG,” Tim said.
“Clinical trials are very important because the only way we can make progress in treating medical issues like cancer is through trying new things.
“Often, it’s people in metro sites who have access to these trials because of resourcing and distance.
“Gastro-intestinal cancers can be quite aggressive so to have trials groups looking at new therapies to treat these cancers is important to improving outcomes.
“The telehealth trials model not only connects patients but also smaller and larger centres to function as a collaborative network which helps patients and staff.
“We are fortunate to be affiliated with James Cook University which facilitates further advances in research.”
Radiation oncologist Dr James Gallo accepted the award on behalf of the team at the event late last year.
He said it was a great honour to see the team recognised for their work.
“TCC’s senior medical oncologist Professor Sabe Sabesan was the driving force behind the telehealth trials initiative and since then we have seen it flourish and help so many people,” James said.
“The work he has done has had an impact internationally as researchers and medical professionals have looked at our model of delivering telehealth trials.
“One of the greatest challenges the Townsville Hospital and Health Service faces is the vast geographical area that we service.
“Initiatives like this fill me with a great sense of satisfaction when I can offer someone living in a rural or remote location access to a clinical trial.
“It makes an enormous difference to our patients, who often have difficulty accessing high-quality and timely healthcare that people closer to major hospitals and healthcare facilities might take for granted.
“It also strengthens the professional networks between our centre and the amazing clinicians and support staff who are on the ground in the local communities. Without them, none of this would be possible.”
Back: Dr Abhishek Joshi, A/Prof. Daniel Xing, and Dr Timothy Squire
Front: Dr Joanne Tan, and Prof. Sabe Sabesan
Loved ones remembered at palliative care event
There was both joy and tears as community members who had experienced the death of a loved one in the Palliative Care Centre came together for the Townsville Palliative Care Centre remembrance event on Saturday.
Townsville’s botanical garden, the Palmetum, was the perfect backdrop of the event which included musical performances, speeches, and the opportunity to connect with others.
Senior social worker Bronwyn Keefer said the remembrance day provided a safe space for people to come together to stop, reflect and remember.
“Being with other people who have experienced grief, reminds us that we are not alone in what can be a very painful experience,” she said.
“This is different to how many people deal with grief, where they come from a place of good intention of needing to let go and move on from love ones who have passed.
“We have realised the importance of creating spaces, rituals, and traditions to remember them.
“It is about helping to create a space where those people who have lost someone can come together and remember their loved ones with the support of others.
“Judging by the success of this event and the positive feedback, we would like it to become one of a number of other community activities which encourage us to hold space for the people we love who have died.”
The event was a joint initiative of Townsville Palliative Care Centre, Townsville City Council, and Palliative Care Queensland.
Attendees were given a bottlebrush plant which represented resilience and a celebrations of life’s vivid moments.
Townsville Acting Mayor Ann-Maree Greaney, Jolene Braban, and Bronwyn Keefer
Townsville Hospital and Health Service
Health Equity Showcase
Townsville University Hospital wishes to invite you to our community event to showcase our programs and initiatives across our hospital and health service, which are contributing to our goal of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Health Equity.
Tuesday 25 March 2025
9am-3pm
(Please arrive anytime between these hours)
Wanderers Cricket Club, Gill Park, Hugh Street, Pimlico 4812 QLD
Haematology team raises awareness, money for myeloma research
Townsville Hospital and Health Service’s haematology team has kicked off a campaign this month to raise money and awareness for myeloma, a type of blood cancer that develops from plasma cells in the bone marrow.
Clinical nurse consultant Julie Martinez said the team spearheaded the campaign at the beginning of the month with a bake sale at Townsville University Hospital.
“Myeloma accounts for 15 per cent of blood cancers in Australia and currently there is no known cure with 27 per cent of myeloma patients dying within 18 months of diagnosis,” Julie said.
“Throughout March, we are holding different events to help increase the visibility of the cancer and raise money for detection, prevention, and cure.
“There’s a bake sale, sausage sizzle, raffles, and the campaign will be capped off with the My Greatest Walk event on 30 March.
“We are aiming to raise more than $2,000 to donate to Myeloma Australia to help them continue their advocacy and research work.”
Julie said there was often little awareness about the blood cancer in the community.
“This is the first year I have been involved in the myeloma fundraising event and it has been good talking to people in the community and raising the profile of the cancer with them,” she said.
“Myeloma is most common in people aged 60 years and older, and there are about 2,000 new cases per year in Australia.
“Raising money to find a cure is ultimately the goal behind these events; however, also raising the awareness about the condition and some of the warning signs is also an important part of why we do it.
“It has been great to be able to talk to people about what myeloma is and, hopefully, they will tell their friends and family about it and help raise its profile.”
My Greatest Walk is on 30 March. Go to the Myeloma Australia website to register and find out more.
Julie Martinez and Jauna Sargeant
Milestone reached with streamlining of central sterilising department
Twelve months ago the team at Townsville University Hospital’s central sterilising department (CSD) embarked on the mammoth task of implementing a new instrument tracking and traceability system, T-DOC.
Clinical nurse consultant reusable medical devices
Mandy Davidson said the new system provided more visibility of instrument usage and improved patient safety.
“T-DOC will provide us with total traceability via a laser marking of the actual instrument to track individual instruments down to the patient,” Mandy said.
“This is important for some of our high-value instruments so that we can determine what their useful life is, maintenance and everything else.
“It will also allow for improved traceability for rare but deadly infections, such as Cruetzfeldt-Jakob disease or Mad Cow, and provide better protection for patients of north Queensland.”
Mandy also said one of the biggest benefits of the new system was the consolidation of all the data into one place.
“Previously, all the washers and sterilisers were completely independent and separate records were kept specifically for those. The future position will be to have it all in one location,” she said.
“Now, there’s scanning at every stage, documenting what was done, and who performed the step, plus the ability to add extra data to the record.”
Nurse unit manager CSD Alecia Cox praised the staff who have had the ‘unenviable’ task of laser marking and recording every single instrument and tray in the new system.
“Our T-DOC team have marked about 7,000 individual instruments and have started doing trays as well,” Alecia said.
“That’s nearly 95 per cent of single instruments and now we’re onto the big push for trays, of which there are probably around 500 to 1,000 across the hospital.
“It’s been a huge team effort and we’re incredibly proud of the team for getting on with the job and working hard to streamline the process.”
The CSD team
Team work shines for patients with delirium
With World Delirium Awareness Day initiatives running across the week, staff from around Townsville University Hospital put their delirium prevention strategies in the spotlight.
Executive director allied health and comprehensive care sponsor Danielle Hornsby was joined by Mal McLean, a member of the Magnetic Island Consumer Advisory Network with lived experience of delirium, to explore the work being done to raise delirium awareness on our wards.
Eat-Walk-Engage facilitator Rachel McMahon said the oncology ward wanted to create conversations around delirium with their display.
“We’re all wearing something orange in the hope people will ask about it, and we can start that conversation,” she said.
“The other thing we’re doing is getting our patients involved through a fun game of bingo, so the activities listed on their bingo cards are all strategies to prevent delirium.
“Things like getting up and going for a walk, sitting out in your chair for meals, and doing a word finder will help.”
Nurse unit manager surgical ward 1 Kylie Perry said their display focussed on the high percentage of patients experiencing delirium post neck-of-femur (NOF) fracture.
“The biggest thing we’re doing is encouraging patients to engage in cognitive activities such as reading books, getting out and mobilising with a dance to music, doing some physiotherapy and moving their body,” Kylie said.
Nurse unit manager surgical ward 2 Erin Tomlin wanted to show off the team’s weekly engagement group.
“This is just the third week that we’ve had this engagement group running and we’re seeing a lot of success as a result,” Erin said.
Standard lead for delirium Lauren Matheson said the day was about sharing knowledge around delirium.
“Spotting signs of delirium early is critical to improve outcomes and the experience for patients and their families,” she said.
Mal highlighted the importance of having conversations with patients and their families about delirium.
“I think it’s important that clinicians are open with patients and advising them that delirium is something that could happen,” he said.
Lauren Mathieson, Danielle Hornsby, Ty Czinege, Mal McLean, Leanne Ney, Kylie Perry, Sandy Magro, Moana Taniwha, and Tricia Butler
A Brighter Note...
Brighter Lives hosts thank you BBQ in Ingham
Brighter Lives made the trip north to Ingham to fire up the barbeque to say thanks to the staff at Ingham Hospital for their efforts during the recent historic flooding event.
The team was joined by former NRL Cowboys players Gavin Cooper and Michael Morgan.
CEO Stephanie Naunton said it was a small way to say thankyou to the team for the extraordinary job they did.
“We owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to the hospital staff who worked around the clock during the flood event,” Stephanie said.
“Their selflessness and commitment to the wellbeing of others in the face of such adversity was truly inspiring.
“The recent crisis saw an outpouring of generosity from both locals and the wider Townsville community to local charities who support our community up here in the north.
“We have such an amazing community in north Queensland, and we know everyone will help ensuring Ingham’s recovery remains a priority in the months to come.”
The recent rain event led to the small north Queensland community being cut off from supplies, staff, and resources.
Medical superintendent Dr Selina Porter said the hospital team did a great job of pulling together and serving the community during the event.
“We had several doctors and nurses who stayed here in the hospital,” Selina said.
“We ended up with about 65 people in a 28-bed hospital with a skeleton staff, working double shifts and sleeping at the hospital.
“Everybody pulled together and just stayed here until the job was done.”
Michael Morgan, Dr Selina Porter, Janine Johnson, Stephanie Naunton, Gavin Cooper
Title Title
“Thank you to all the staff for the great effort they put in. I appreciate all the care given to not only my dad but also my mum.”
PARKLANDS
RESIDENTIAL AGED CARE
“I want to express my gratitude to the team of wonderful people helping those in need at a time that is so full of emotion and upheaval in their lives.”
“I spent 7 weeks in hospital and wanted to thank everybody for their care. The physiotherapy staff were always bright and happy. All were wonderful.”
TUH PHYSIOTHERAPY
VOLUNTARY ASSISTED DYING SERVICE
Capital works update
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
Work location: TUH Acute building Level 2 Operating Theatres Complex
Project: North Queensland Persistent Pain Management Service (NQPPMS) upgrade
Works currently underway Works
on the way
Project: Ingham CT Scanner
Work location: Ingham Health Service
Have any questions?
Work location: Medilink building Level 2 current NQPMMS suite
Project: Kirwan Health Communty Campus expansion - $40 million
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 email THHSInfrastructureOffice@health.qld.gov.au.
Recipe of the blah Creamy vegetarian casserole
Ingredients
Laugh of the blah
• 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1 leek, trimmed, sliced
• 3 garlic cloves, crushed
• 800g baby potatoes, quartered
• 1 1/4 cups vegetable stock
• 400g broccoli, trimmed, cut into small florets
• 150g sugar snap peas, trimmed
• 2 bunches asparagus, trimmed, cut into 3cm lengths
• 1/2 cup creme fraiche
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
• 1/3 cup grated red Leicester cheese
Method
Step one
• Heat oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat.
• Cook leek and garlic for 2 minutes or until leek softens.
• Add potato.
• Stir to combine. Add stock.
• Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer, uncovered, for 7 to 8 minutes or until potato is almost tender.
• Stir in broccoli, sugar snaps, asparagus, crème fraiche and parsley.
• Bring to a simmer. Remove from heat.
Step two
• Preheat grill to medium.
• Transfer vegetable mixture to a 2-litre (8-cupcapacity) baking dish.
• Combine crackers and cheese in a small bowl.
• Sprinkle over vegetable mixture.
• Grill for 2 to 3 minutes or until lightly browned.
• Serve.
Classifieds
FOR SALE
Purebred Mini Dachshunds (Chocolate and Tan and Chocolate). 2 girls and 1 boy looking for their forever home 15/3/25. They will be wormed, vaccinated and microchipped. Both parents are DNA tested and cleared. Please contact Wendy 0438 501 796 if interested in viewing and price. BIN0012133981650 (24/2)
Three-year-old house for sale in Kelso. close to new realestates, shops and schools. Three spacious bedrooms, one bathroom with second door offering direct access to master bedroom. All bedrooms have built-in-robes and aircons. Easy to maintain house with tiles throughout, back patio, and easy to maintain yard, with double gates, single carport garage, solar panels. Asking price $470,000. Please contact Michael on 0418 731 677. (6/3)
For sale 2011 Nissan Patrol wagon, three litre, five speed manual, seven seater. Dual battery set up and many extras. Rego until June, comes with road worthy certificate. 218,xxx km. $17,000 ONO. Located at Alice River. Call Ben on 0423 233 308 for photos and more details. (12/03)
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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