Piano for TUH music to our ears
Dear colleagues,
My thanks to everyone who took the time to dial into our all-staff forum last week. We had a technical hitch so at the last minute had to re-send the appointment. Whether it was a result of that last-minute email, or because word has spread about the forum, we had one of our largest audiences in a long time. As is always the case, there were some great questions. I was able to respond to some and have taken a few on notice (thanks campus management team). As I mentioned in the forum, I will be away for the next couple of Wednesdays, so the next forum is planned for 23 July. I will use this staff forum to provide an update on our financial performance for the past financial year and also to provide an update on the budget outcomes for the next year. Please feel free to send any questions you might have through to TSV-CEO@health.qld.gov.au.
I attended the funeral of my friend and colleague, Acting Inspector Brenton Webb this week. Brenton was the ‘XO’ with the District Disaster Management Group and was well known and liked by many people right across the northern region. Whether it was assisting in the emergency response throughout the pandemic, or coordinating the multiple agencies involved in responding to a weather event, Brenton was the person we would look to for advice and the glue holding us together. Disaster events typically pay no heed to the notion of business hours yet Brenton would always be the one making sure that not only were the meetings run, but was quite often the person making sure everything was done in between as well. I know his days would start early (I had an 0400 message from him in the last event) and would run until late in the evening.
The remarkable thing is that in what was often a highstakes environment, Brenton would keep his cool and sense of humour despite the significant challenges and often being severely fatigued himself. I know he appreciated the occasional bottle of homebrew from me but sadly we never had the chance to enjoy one together. Brenton will be missed by many, including me. With honour he served.
Next week, I am looking forward to travelling to Cardwell with the PHN to celebrate the transition of the medical practice from our health service to a local provider. When the previous practice closed we stepped in to ensure the local community had access to GP care, even though it would ordinarily not be the sort of thing we’d do. It has been an incredible journey along the way. I have personally seen first-hand the partnership between local, state and federal governments that has resulted in a new operator stepping forward. We will continue to provide a range of visiting services from the centre which will also include telehealth options to reduce the travel burden where possible for community members.
Speaking of travelling, I am looking forward to heading out to our western corridor in early August. I was chatting with Judy Brown, Director of Nursing at Richmond, while at the Staff Excellence Awards and I was more than a bit embarrassed to learn it’s been a few years since my last visit. I love a good road trip so lookout Richmond, Hughenden and Charters, here I come!
Next week is NAIDOC Week. I’m told we had close to 90 nominations for our NAIDOC awards which is terrific news. Having just finished the Staff Excellence Awards, I can understand what a tough task the committee will have working through those nominations. I’m looking forward to getting to the event at TUH on Thursday.
When this blah is published, not only will I have been on a couple of days’ leave but we would have welcomed our new piano at the TUH foyer. If you are a pianist, please consider joining our performance schedule.
During my leave, I’m going to be camping at a spot that is gloriously out of mobile range. My thanks to Shellee Chapman for covering.
Until next time kk
Piano for TUH music to our ears
A passion for piano and a desire to make people’s days a little brighter was the motivation for Townsville University Hospital breast surgeon Dr April Miu to enter the ABC’s nationwide campaign to gift pop-up pianos to the community.
Run in conjunction with the television series ‘The Piano’, the ABC invited everyday Australians to share why their community deserved a piano.
The campaign received 380 applications; April’s was among the successful 20.
“To be very honest, I was stunned when I heard a piano was coming to Townsville and when I heard how many nominations there were, I was even more stunned,” she said.
April said she first heard about the campaign on ABC Classic at the end of March.
“Townsville was just coming out of the severe weather event, and it had been very difficult for a lot of people,” she said.
“I just thought that sometimes it’s nice to have something that’s a bit of a distraction for people at difficult times in their lives.
“The hospital is somewhere people could enjoy it, especially when they’re often here for an unpleasant purpose.”
April started playing piano at age four and won a music scholarship at school.
“After I won the scholarship, and realised I might not be too bad at playing this instrument, the whole world of music opened up,” she said.
A classical music buff, April, who also plays cello, said Liszt and Beethoven were her favourite composers.
“I go through phases, and what I’m working on at the time is my favourite, but Beethoven’s Emperor Concerto, which was voted Australia’s number one on the ABC Classic 100, is also on my favourites list.”
The pop-up piano, which arrived at TUH today, is available for any staff and community member who would like to play.
Chief executive Kieran Keyes said he was delighted to hear about the success of April’s application.
“There is a well-documented connection between arts in health, including performance art, and wellbeing and I’m very excited to unearth other pianists around the hospital to join our performance schedule and, of course, to welcome any members of the community who would like to play,” he said.
TUH will host a concert on 1 August, in conjunction with ABC Classic, to formally launch the piano.
If you would like to perform in the concert, or know someone in the community who would, please scan the QR Code; everyone is welcome.
Dr April Miu welcomes the piano to TUH
Dear colleagues
In a few days’ time our health service, our community, and our country will come together to celebrate NAIDOC Week. This year’s NAIDOC Week runs from Sunday 6 July to Sunday 13 July and marks a major milestone, as the annual celebration of First Nations Australians’ culture turns 50. For many of us it is tempting to look back on the past 50 years to celebrate the achievements that have been made as well as reflect on the challenges still to overcome; however, it is also important to look continue moving forward.
This year’s NAIDOC Week theme is ‘The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy’ and it speaks to the powerful role of young people as knowledge holders, leaders, carers, and protectors for tomorrow. As a health service we have already seen our next generation of leaders step up through programs like U-me Koola and Deadly Start. The Townsville HHS is investing in our young mob through traineeships, cadetships, mentorships, and culturally safe initiatives to not just build a workforce but to grow leaders who are culturally strong, confident, and safe in who they are.
The Townsville HHS recognises that cultural safety for staff must walk hand in hand with clinical training. Programs across the service are designed to build cultural resilience alongside learning, ensuring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and early-career staff are supported not only with skills, but with connection to community, identity, cultural strength, and resilience. When we say we are committed to health equity, we mean equity for the community and equity within our workforce.
Amanda Cooms
Executive Director Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health
Noonuccal woman
Calling out unsafe environments or calling out racism is not the job of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff alone. It is every single staff member’s responsibility. It’s about creating a culture where no one stays silent when harm is done, and where everyone stands up for fairness, respect, and truth.
NAIDOC Week is a time to celebrate, but also to reflect. The health service remains committed to truth-telling, reconciliation, and walking in genuine partnership with Traditional Custodians, Elders, and community leaders. This includes embedding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge systems into how we care, and always holding space for country, culture, and healing.
As we commemorate 50 years of NAIDOC, we remember why it began. NAIDOC was born from a movement that rose in 1975 from the long fight for justice, recognition, and land rights. It gave voice to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples who had been silenced for generations. It created space to stand in pride, to speak truth, and to celebrate survival. For our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff, and the communities we serve, NAIDOC is more than a celebration. It’s a legacy of resistance. It’s a declaration of belonging. It’s a time to honour our old people, lift our young ones, and remind this country that we are still here strong, sovereign, and proud.
Next week our health service will be involved in events, including some we are organising ourselves, to celebrate NAIDOC Week. Come and join us to honour the past, walk with the present, and lift the next generation strong in culture, strong in health, and strong in spirit.
Kup Murri, dancing, and awards for NAIDOC Week celebrations
Next week, the Townsville Hospital and Health Service (HHS) will join nationwide NAIDOC Week celebrations with events planned across the health service.
NAIDOC Week starts Sunday 6 July and this year’s theme is ‘The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy’.
Executive director Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health Amanda Cooms said NAIDOC Week was a celebration of First Nations culture which highlighted richness, resilience, and enduring spirit.
“Each of our HHS sites will host its own unique NAIDOC Week celebrations, providing an opportunity for local communities to engage with, and honour, Indigenous culture with an all-HHS event on at Townsville University Hospital on Thursday 10 July.
“Our cultural practice coordinator Trevor Prior will lead the preparation cooking a Kup Murri, a traditional method of cooking in an underground oven with heated stones. The event will also feature traditional dances, First Nations artwork, music, speeches, and the Townsville HHS NAIDOC Awards.”
“The awards are an important opportunity for us to recognise those HHS team members who have gone above and beyond to help improve healthcare for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.”
“The NAIDOC Awards provide a special opportunity for us to recognise team members who have gone above and beyond to improve healthcare for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.”
Amanda said the importance of this year’s NAIDOC Week theme was both in its reflection and celebration as well as its forward-thinking.
“This year marks the 50th anniversary of NAIDOC Week. To honour this milestone, we will display NAIDOC Week artwork from the past five decades,” she said.
“By looking to the past, we are also looking to the future. This year’s theme empowers young people to become leaders in their communities and continue striving for equity.
“Our health service is full of inspiring examples of Indigenous people stepping up to help their communities.
“I invite everyone to take part in NAIDOC Week celebrations, both within our HHS and in the broader community. Go to townsvillenaidoc.com.au to see the list of events in the community and let’s come together to honour the past, acknowledge how far we’ve come, and recognise that each of us plays a role in empowering the next generation to continue this important journey toward equity and unity.”
Amanda Cooms, Jayden Ah Chee, and Meagen Beaumont
Groundbreaking program builds First Nations leadership
Three of Townsville University Hospital’s First Nations nursing leaders have been given the opportunity to be a part of the inaugural Tjurtu First Nations Nursing and Midwifery Leadership Program.
Acting nurse unit manager public health unit Sara O’Connor, clinical nurse consultant (CNC) drug and alcohol brief intervention team Amanda Ah Chee, and CNC Indigenous health workforce professional unit Gillian Wilson were selected after an intensive statewide application process.
With a focus on First Nations knowledge, cultural leadership, nation-building, and mentorship, the Tjurtu leadership program was co-designed by First Nations nurses and midwives and embedded in a strong cultural framework.
Sara said the connection to her culture was a defining aspect of the course.
“It was incredibly important to me, because I’d looked at other leadership programs and felt there was something lacking,” she said.
“We live and work in a system not made for First Nations people and to have a program that frames questions through a First Nations lens, to answer those questions from our perspective is absolutely groundbreaking.”
This year’s NAIDOC Week theme is The Next Generation: Strength, Vision, and Legacy.
The theme was particularly poignant for Gillian who said the program had helped immensely with her knowledge and ability to provide leadership to young, First Nations students through the initial stages of their careers.
“It’s furthering my skills and knowledge which I can instil in nurses who follow in my footsteps,” she said.
“We can already identify the gaps in the system but we’re being shown how to push forward, break down the systemic barriers, and show there’s not just one pathway but different pathways we can take to achieve results.”
Amanda said her aspirations were to support more First Nations people to take up leadership positions.
“We’re always pushing up the next generation and I’m building up the strength to be able to support them to go into those spaces,” she said.
“Nurses in leadership positions support new nurses in their cultural development, as well as their social and mental wellbeing in the working environment.
“When you create that culturally safe environment for First Nations staff, it trickles down to the grassroots level and shows First Nations consumers that you’re able to relate to them and respect them on a cultural level making it easier to plan appropriate healthcare for them.”
Tjurtu program participants Sara O’Connor, Amanda Ah Chee and Gillian Wilson
Taste of home brings culture to the plate this NAIDOC Week
Cultural culinary delights will be served up for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients at Townsville University Hospital this NAIDOC Week.
The culturally inspired menu will feature three specially selected dishes – coconut curry chicken, coconut curry fish, and vermicelli chicken.
Food services assistant manager Alec Stevens said inspiration for the menu came during the recent Townsville HHS Health Equity Showcase.
“At the showcase, we had great conversations with community members and First Nations staff,” Alec said.
“It came through loud and clear that these dishes were standouts, so we thought NAIDOC Week would be the perfect opportunity to introduce them to the menu for our patients.”
Senior dietitian Kate Lovell said the initiative brought together staff from food services, dietetics, and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health service division to co-design a menu that was both culturally meaningfully and clinically appropriate.
“From the beginning, everyone was on the same page, and it’s that shared version that made it easy to work together and move quickly to bring this to fruition,” she said.
“From a clinical perspective, food is a powerful tool so if we can make patients feel more at home, it supports their recovery and overall experience.”
Indigenous hospital liaison officer Danielle Seden said the connection between food and culture ran deep for First Nations people.
“Food is an important way of life for us, especially for our mob from remote communities,” she said.
“When patients see something familiar on their plate, it brings a sense of comfort to them during a difficult time.
“The dishes chosen for this menu are meals that show up at every gathering in every household; they’re warm, familiar and make people feel seen.
“This initiative is a small, but meaningful, step forward.”
The special First Nations dishes will be trialled throughout NAIDOC Week, with feedback helping to shape more inclusive options on the hospital menu in the future.
Danielle Seden, Kate Lovell, Metassa Zaro, and Alec Stevens
Trailblazer in dermatology and First Nations healthcare joins HHS
Dermatology services at Townsville University Hospital are in good hands, with the appointment of Dr Crystal Williams as the new clinical director.
A proud Wiradjuri woman, Crystal brings a wealth of experience to the role, along with a passion for regional and First Nations healthcare.
Crystal said she came to Townsville because local skin conditions were similar to those she had encountered when working in the Northern Territory, and it offered a real opportunity to make a difference.
“It’s been a warm and busy welcome to Townsville, and it’s been very exciting to work with the next generation of dermatologists,” she said.
Crystal’s recruitment is a major win for the health service, as she brings a track record of national recognition, prestigious awards, and lasting achievements in dermatology.
“Being awarded the Oxford Travelling Scholarship in my first year of training allowed me to undertake advanced training in the UK which gave me the opportunity to hone my skills in several subspecilty areas.
One of Crystal’s greatest achievements came during the COVID lockdown in Melbourne, when, alongside her colleagues, she turned the challenge into an opportunity to improve access to healthcare for First Nations communities.
“When everything shifted to telehealth, we realised we could use the platform to reach regional and remote First Nations patients,” she said.
“That led to the creation of the First Nations Dermatology Service at the Royal Melbourne Hospital, which has grown from a small pilot into a fully funded program.”
The achievement reflects her commitment using her position as a First Nations clinician to create systems that centre First Nations perspectives to advocate for health equity within health systems.
“My nan and my father were both extremely clever people who were excluded from opportunities that I’ve had because of the colour of their skin.
“When Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are at the table, we can challenge the system, make it safer, and contribute to the strength and resilience of our communities.
“I wish to acknowledge the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander doctors who came before me and their enduring commitment to make hospitals safer for future generations and my First Nations dermatology colleagues who are collectively strengthening the accessibility of dermatology services across Australia.”
Clinicians across the health service may be interested to know that Crystal also brings expertise in digital healthcare, transplant dermatology, cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, inflammatory and paediatric skin conditions, chronic urticaria, vulval dermatology, tropical and infectious skin disease and First Nations skin health.
Dr Crystal Williams
Marathon intensive care stay leads to Isaac’s remarkable recovery
In the early hours of February 14, a 25-yearold man was airlifted to Townsville University Hospital for what would be the beginning of a marathon stint in the intensive care unit.
Gladstone’s Isaac Pearce was working on a cattle station near Normanton when he was unknowingly struck down with the deadly mosquito-borne disease Murray Valley encephalitis.
His mother, Mel Jones, barely left his bedside over the course of the 126 days he spent in ICU.
“It just obliterated all his nerves,” Mel said.
“He’s had to learn to walk again, his left side wasn’t very strong, his stomach stopped working, he couldn’t swallow, and it’s messed with his heart for a little bit.
“It’s been set back after set back and then probably just the last month or two he’s started to make some meaningful progress.
“He wouldn’t have been able to do it if it wasn’t for the persistent care of everyone in ICU trying to fix him.”
Isaac said while he doesn’t remember much of those early days in ICU, he couldn’t be more thankful to the team of clinicians who stuck by him and helped pull him through to the other side of his horrific ordeal.
“Everyone has been really good and as I’ve gotten better, I just can’t believe how many people still care,” he said.
“It was pretty rough and even though I was a bit mean sometimes, people still cared.”
Clinical director ICU Dr Siva Senthuran said Isaac’s recovery was “remarkable” after a difficult course in ICU.
“Isaac came in with this really unusual condition, which resulted in swelling and inflammation of parts of his brain and spinal cord,” Siva said.
“It left him very weak, unable to breathe for himself and needing life support.”
Registered nurse Mel Denton was one of the first clinicians confronted with the unpredictable nature of Isaac’s condition.
“When Isaac first came to us, we weren’t sure what was happening,” she said.
“I was looking after him when he had just been admitted and it was very much hour by hour, day by day to try and figure out what was happening with him.
“He’s had multiple complications and we just had to deal with it as they were happening.”
Isaac Pearce, centre, surrounded by some of the team who have helped him recover from Murray Valley encephalitis
Senior physiotherapist Nathan Peacock said it was a mammoth effort from the multidisciplinary team to coordinate Isaac’s care to get him to the point where he was able to walk out of ICU.
“The overall management of care within the team environment really allowed us to be specific and holistic at the same time,” Nathan said.
“From a physiotherapy point of view, there were a lot of things that must be ticked off by dietitians, speech pathologists, and occupational therapists before we knew the extent of what we could do with Isaac.
“Then, of course, discussing with the CNCs and the long-stay consultant helped develop a clear plan for his care moving forward.”
The latest milestone for Isaac was receiving the greenlight to transfer closer to home and continue receiving care as an inpatient at Rockhampton Hospital.
“It’s a massive milestone as he’ll be one hour away from family,” his mum said.
“Everyone is so excited to see him and encourage him through the rest of his journey.”
Isaac said the lure of getting back to work and riding his motorbike were his main motivations for getting out of hospital
sooner rather than later.
“I’m used to being so independent, so it’s been frustrating,” he said.
“I can’t wait to get home, back on the motorbike, drive my car, and get back to work, and fishing.”
Patrice Cleall, Isaac Pearce, Nathan Peacock
Isaac doing what he loves most, fishing
Neonatal transition program helps grow specialised nursing workforce
Support for some of north Queensland’s tiniest and most vulnerable patients has been boosted after 18 Townsville Hospital and Health Service registered nurses graduated from Queensland Health’s Neonatal Transition Support Program.
The nurses had to complete up to two years’ worth of additional training to support them in their specialised roles within the neonatal unit.
Registered nurse Lucy Anderson was one of the 18 nurses to graduate and said she gained a lot from the training.
“Early in my nursing career I did a special care placement and discovered I had a passion for neonatal care,” Lucy said.
“Since then, I have always wanted to work in the field and now I am very excited to have finally finished my training to be able to make a career through caring for some of the health service’s tiniest patients.
“The program was extremely valuable and filled a vital gap, providing foundational knowledge about neonatal care that is not typically taught at university.
“It was a lot of hard work, and I am very proud of all the hours we put in to complete the intensive training program.”
Neonatal nurse educator Louise Thiele coordinates the transition program for the Townsville HHS and said it was a steep learning curve for the participants.
“We are caring for some of the health service’s most precious patients,” Louise said.
“Neonatology is a completely different specialty to adults so our nurses starting this program are having to learn everything from the ground up.
“The program is intensive and harder than a postgraduate certificate at university, so I am very proud to see 18 nurses stick with it and complete the transition.”
Louise said the need for the specialised program had been underscored by the increasing demands on the unit.
“We’re getting busier as a unit and we are needing more specialised staff,” she said.
“This year’s intake is currently at 30 nurses which is the largest intake ever and shows our commitment to caring for our patients.”
Lucy Anderson holding Clara Smith, and Louise Thiele
Concert in the Gardens
Festival Musicians will perform exclusively for staff and patients at TUH on
Thursday 24 July 2025
10am – Noon
Federation Gardens
Start your day with music in the gardens!
Join us at Federation Gardens to hear AFCM’s Pathways International Masterclasses ensembles as they perform in a FREE concert listening to Vanya String Quartet, Orpheus Wind Quintet and Infront Brass Quintet.
For more information, please go to afcm.com.au
Oh baby! Fantastic four for Ingham’s maternity service
A remarkable four babies birthed within 24 hours has helped mark the ninth anniversary of Ingham Health Service’s maternity services being reopened.
Giorgia Firmi, Marites Carao, Hannah Bestmann, and Leah Dingwell’s children will forever have a special bond, having been born within the same 24 hours on April 7 and 8.
First time mother Giorgia said during her long labour she was so grateful for her midwife Kelly.
“I was in labour for probably 15 hours, and it was a really long night but she stayed for probably longer than she was supposed to,” she said.
Marites agreed with Giorgia and only had praise for the birthing team.
“As a first-time mum, it’s a very exciting journey and the midwives and doctors supported me throughout my entire pregnancy, through to the delivery and after care,” Marites said.
For Hannah, baby Jesse was her third pregnancy but the first time giving birth at a rural hospital.
“The first two were born at Sunshine Coast University Hospital and, while the facilities there were newer, the expertise of my two midwives here in Ingham was noticeably significant,” she said.
“I felt more and more confident in their care with each appointment, and they helped me trust my body to naturally labour without interventions which I appreciated and had hoped for.”
The birthing service had been closed for 10 years before reopening on July 1, 2016.
Senior medical officer Dr Carmel Cockburn said the birthing service had much to celebrate over the past nine years.
“The ability to provide a safe and consistent rural birthing service despite workplace shortages across rural Australia has been a huge achievement,” she said.
“It has required constant dedication from our team and community.
“Our team includes midwives, rural generalists with obstetric and anaesthetic skills as well as theatre nurses for those times when caesarean section or operative complications arise.”
The service accepts referrals via local GPs or selfreferral, by calling 07 4720 3050.
Congratulations to all our mums!
Back row: midwives Kelly Geddes, Kierra Faulkner, Jodie Nema, and Kelly Brandt.
Front row: Dr Carmel Cockburn, Giorgia Firmi, Marites Carao, Hannah Bestmann, and Dr Duncan Brown
Mid-year resolution? Go dry this July
As Dry July kicked off at the start of the month, the Drug and Alcohol Brief Intervention Team (DABIT) encouraged the community to use the campaign as an opportunity to reflect on their drinking habits and consider the benefits of taking a break.
Clinical nurse consultant Amanda Ah Chee said initiatives like Dry July helped individuals better understand the impact of alcohol on their health and wellbeing and promoted healthier lifestyle choices.
“Alcohol misuse contributes to a number of health issues and reducing the use of alcohol can help address, and even reverse, some of these conditions,” she said.
“Reducing alcohol consumption can result in improved sleep, better mental health, and can reduce the risk of developing several different types of cancer.”
Amanda recommended seeking support if there were concerns about your own, or someone else’s, relationship with alcohol.
“Recognising the signs of excessive alcohol use such as drinking more often and for longer periods, neglecting responsibilities, or drinking despite negative consequences is the first step,” she said.
“There are multiple services available for support to reduce, or even cease, the use of alcohol.
“The Alcohol and Drug Information Service (ADIS) is a free and confidential support service available to all Queenslanders and, in Townsville, residents can also reach out to the Alcohol, Tobacco and other Drugs Service (ATODS) in North Ward.”
ADIS is available via phone on 1800 177 833 or online adis.health.qld.gov.au.
To sign up for Dry July and help raise funds for cancer support organisations head online to www.dryjuly.com.
Nurse practitioner Deb Spurgeon, CNC Amanda Ah Chee and consultation liaison psychiatry and addictions service team leader, Sarah Eaglesham
Pioneering surgery brings newborn Zaleyah home quicker
Four-month-old Zaleyah Codega has made history as the first newborn baby in Townsville to undergo keyhole surgery for congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH), setting a new standard for care in north Queensland.
CDH is a rare and serious condition where a hole in the diaphragm allows abdominal organs to move into the chest, restricting lung development.
Zaleyah’s parents Kris and Natalie Codega first learnt of their daughter’s condition during a 30-week scan.
“It was a terrifying moment, and we automatically turned to doctor Google and the internet to make sense of the diagnosis,” Kris said.
“CDH affects about one in 3,000 babies, and, suddenly, we were part of that statistic.”
When meeting with the surgical team and neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) staff at Townsville University Hospital (TUH), they were advised that Zaleyah was a strong candidate for keyhole surgery, a minimally invasive approach to treating CDH.
“We were told that if we chose to go ahead with the procedure, Zaleyah would be the first newborn baby in north Queensland to ever receive it,” Natalie said.
“We were nervous, and it was difficult to comprehend that she would be the first, but the team’s confidence confirmed our decision to say yes.”
Zaleyah was born on 14 February 2025, and her surgery took place just three days later.
“Watching Zaleyah being wheeled away for surgery was the hardest moment of our lives,” Kris said.
“We felt completely helpless.
Burdekin parents Natalie and Kris Codega with four-month-old Zaleyah Codega
Zaleyah in the TUH NICU with her sister Ariah
“But hours later, we received the news that the surgery was a success.”
TUH paediatric surgeon Dr Janani Krishnan was Zaleyah’s surgeon, assisted by paediatric surgeon Dr Brendan O’Connor and director of paediatric surgery Dr Harry Stalewski.
“This was the first case done thoracoscopically in a newborn and we made sure to involve the family in every step of the process and educate them early on about what to expect,” Janani said.
“Zaleyah was breathing on her own within days and due to the keyhole technique, her recovery which could have meant months in the NICU was just twoand-a-half weeks.”
Janani was recently the recipient of the prestigious ‘Vision’ award at the 2025 Townsville Hospital and Health Service Staff Excellence Awards and said the procedure was an exciting step in the advancement of health care in the region.
“We provide high quality care which is on par with any other children’s hospital in the country, and we are leading the way in minimally invasive and robotic surgery,” Janani said.
“We hope that we can continue to innovate and grow to ensure patients and families are able to get excellent quality surgical care in Townsville and north Queensland.
“We want to keep our children closer to their homes.”
Natalie said her family owed everything to the surgeons and TUH neonatal and maternal fetal medicine staff.
“There wasn’t one part of the entire process that we weren’t comfortable with,” Natalie said.
“We received such beautiful care.”
Kris said Zaleyah having access to the procedure at TUH made all the difference.
“We are from the Burdekin, so being able to stay in Townsville meant we didn’t have to uproot our lives or be very far from our other daughter,” Kris said.
“We never had to leave Zaleyah’s side throughout her recovery period, and it felt like being at home.
“We hope that Zaleyah’s story will lead to more north Queensland families like us receiving lifesaving care for their children locally.”
The Codega family at Zaleyah’s NICU graduation
Dr Janani Krishnan receiving the 2025 Vision award from Minister Tim Nichols
New service brings specialist neurology care to Mount Isa
Children with undiagnosed neurological conditions in outback Queensland could soon be treated faster thanks to an Australian-first rural pilot program to measure and record brain wave activity.
The program is being run in collaboration with the Townsville Hospital and Health Service and the North West Hospital and Health Service at the Mount Isa Hospital.
Townsville University Hospital’s (TUH) paediatric neurologist Dr Trupti Jadhav designed the electroencephalogram (EEG) pilot program because of the high failure-to-attend rates for paediatric neurology appointments for patients from rural and remote communities.
“Geography is a significant barrier to care, and about 50 per cent of north-west families fail to attend specialist EEG appointments,” Trupti said.
“For many families, particularly in First Nations communities, travelling to a large city is a major challenge, and this was leading to children missing out on time-critical diagnosis and treatment.
“We thought instead of trying to get them to come to Townsville or Brisbane for an appointment why not go to them.
“A Mount Isa Hospital-based cardiac technician has received extensive training over the past six months to perform EEGs on children to record their brain wave activity.
“As part of the pilot program, the EEGs will be remotely reported by me to facilitate timely medical treatment by the local paediatrician or a neurologist in a tertiary centre via telehealth, therefore providing the standard of care closer to home.”
Trupti said the program could help prevent delays in accessing medical treatment.
“We aim to study the clinical impact as well as the cost effectiveness of this service over a 12-month period, and to build a case to have this as an ongoing service if successful,” she said.
North West HHS director of paediatrics Dr Viliame Sotutu said the EEG pilot program would have a meaningful impact on families in the region, particularly those facing financial and geographic barriers to specialist care.
“When we can identify neurological issues early through local EEG testing, it opens the door to early intervention and treatment which can change a child’s health trajectory,” Viliame said.
TUH’s EEG technician Breanna Balchin, Dr Trupti Jadhav, Dr Viliame Sotutu, and cardiac technician Lucy O’Neill
“For families in our region, this means better outcomes and less reliance on expensive, longdistance specialist services in the future.”
Mount Isa Hospital cardiac technician Lucy O’Neill said being part of the EEG pilot had been a rewarding experience, allowing her to play a key role in expanding access to vital neurological diagnostics for children in the region.
“Being able to perform EEGs locally means we can detect neurological issues much earlier and help families avoid the stress and cost of long-distance travel. This is a huge step forward for rural health,” Lucy said.
Health service chief executive Kieran Keyes said the initiative was a great example of the innovative spirit that drove regional and rural health services.
“The tyranny of distance is a challenge facing our health service as well as our colleagues in the northwest,” Kieran said.
“Through the work of Trupti and our colleagues at the North West HHS we are creating a smarter, more efficient, and patient-centred model of care.
“This initiative is part of our push to use technology and strong partnerships to ensure a person’s postcode does not determine their health outcomes.”
North West HHS chief executive Sean Birgan said the initiative highlighted the power of collaboration and innovation in overcoming the challenges of delivering specialist healthcare in remote regions.
“This pilot demonstrates what’s possible when we work collaboratively and innovatively to solve complex access issues in rural health,” Sean said.
“By building local capability and connecting with tertiary specialists, we are creating a sustainable model that puts the needs of northwest Queensland families first. It’s smart, compassionate healthcare.”
This initiative was funded through Townsville HHS’s Study, Education and Research Trust Account research grants.
Lux Bismark, 9, with Lucy O’Neill. Lux is one of the first patients involved in the EEG pilot program.
Ramandeep’s reflections of time in ICU bring healing
For expectant mum Ramandeep Kaur, what should have been the best day of her life quickly turned into a fight for survival when complications during labour led to her being rushed into the intensive care unit (ICU) at Townsville University Hospital (TUH).
On May 11, 2021, Ramandeep was in labour with her first child when she began experiencing severe respiratory distress.
Her condition worsened rapidly leading to an emergency C-section and a medical emergency call.
Her son Roohaan was born healthy and well, but Ramandeep spent several days unconscious in the ICU at TUH separated from her husband and newborn.
“I learned that I suffered from a pulmonary edema and heart failure likely linked to pre-existing rheumatic heart disease,” Ramandeep said.
“I don’t even remember exactly how long I was in the ICU for, it was all a blur.”
Despite her traumatic experience Ramandeep, a nurse and second-year medical student, said she decided at the last minute to attend the annual ICU morning tea as a past patient.
“My connection with my own patients made me want to attend the ICU event at TUH, because I thought it could help with my healing journey.”
ICU staff specialist Dr Joanna Longley said the annual event was an opportunity for all patients and families with an ICU experience to reconnect.
“It is a chance for patients and families to reunite with the staff who cared for them, and put faces to the names and voices they may only vaguely remember,” Joanna said.
“For many people, memories from the ICU are fragmented or dreamlike and reuniting with the staff who cared for them can help put memories into context and can be a vital and healing step in recovery.”
Each year on the anniversary of her ICU admission and her son’s birthday, Ramandeep organises a celebration with friends and family to honour life, and says she plans to keep attending the TUH morning tea in future years.
“As hard as it can be, I would recommend fellow past patients to try and face their hospital experience head on and make the most of any opportunity to reconnect with staff,” Ramandeep said.
ICU staff specialist Dr Joanna Longley, past ICU patient
Ramandeep Kaur, and ICU director Dr Siva Senthuran
Title Title Caption
“The calibre of dental staff just gets better every time, exceptional. Jael was a standout. She was so gentle, reassuring and very thorough.
I couldn’t fault Jael, she listened to me rattle on and was polite and respectful.
NORTH WARD DENTAL
“I’m writing to express my heartfelt appreciation for the outstanding care I received in the ED.
I would especially like to recognise Dr Brooke, who was absolutely incredible throughout my visit. From the moment she saw me, she listened carefully to all of my concerns, treated me with genuine compassion, and made me feel heard and respected during a very vulnerable time.”
TUH EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT
“I would like to offer my sincere thanks to Dr. Jason Cameron and the team in the Number 4 day surgery unit along with all the members of the PPU and admission sections. From the first encounter at the front desk through to the recovery unit, I felt EXTREMELY well looked after.”
PPU
A Note...Brighter
The heart and soul of Townsville’s Book Fair
For nearly 10 years, Robyn Frew and Fred Sacroug have been the driving force behind the Brighter Lives Townsville Book Fair. Their hard work has helped to make the annual event a key part of the community, raising important funds for the Townsville Hospital and Health Service.
Every year Robyn and Fred sort, price, and pack thousands of donated books for people who love to read.
Thanks to their efforts and the support of the community, the 2024 fair raised an amazing $14,858.55.
Robyn said donating books was a simple way to give back.
“It feels good to know that donated books can bring joy to others, while also helping the hospital,” Robyn said.
Volunteering runs in the family as Robyn’s father Bernie Schefe volunteered for the hospital foundation many years ago, with Fred and Robyn continuing his legacy.
Brighter Lives CEO Stephanie Naunton said the charity was incredibly grateful for everything Robyn and Fred did behind the scenes.
“Their quiet dedication makes a huge difference and really shows what can be achieved through commitment and teamwork,” Stephanie said.
Since 2006, the book fair has raised more than $167,000 with some breaks in between years.
“One hundred percent of what we do stays local and funds raised from the book fair, and all other fundraisers, help to fund equipment, training, and projects at Townsville University Hospital (TUH),” Stephanie said.
Preloved books can be donated to Carmichael Ford and Willows, or to one of the donation stations: Explore Property (all locations), Avanti Health, Amazing Grace Early Learning Centres (all locations), Garry Thyer’s Betta, Mary Who Book Shop and Townsville Grammar School North Shore Campus.
Small donations can also be made at Triple T, Community Information Centre and the Brighter Lives gift shop at TUH.
The 2025 Brighter Lives Townsville Book Fair will be held on August 16 and 17 at Willows Shopping Centre.
Robyn Frew and Fred Sacroug
Bernie Schefe working the front desk for Brighter Lives - March 2009
Sheet Pan Gnocchi Recipe of the blah
Ingredients
Sheet Pan
Laugh of the blah
• 19 oz can lentils, drained and rinsed
• 1 pint baby tomatoes, halved
• 1 yellow or orange pepper, chopped in 1/2 inch pieces
• 1 small eggplant, chopped in 1/2 inch pieces
• 1 red onion, chopped in 1/2 inch pieces
• 2 garlic cloves, chopped
• 500g store-bought potato gnocchi.
Greek Dressing
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 1/2 tbsp dried oregano
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp pepper
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 1/2 tbsp red wine vinegar
• 2 small garlic cloves, pressed.
Topping
• 100-125g plain goat’s cheese
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh herbs (mix of parsley, dill and mint)
• Olive oil
• Handful of black olives (optional).
Method
1. Preheat the oven to 400F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Mix the Greek dressing ingredients together and set aside.
3. To the sheet pan add: rinsed lentils, chopped baby tomatoes, chopped pepper, chopped eggplant, chopped onion, gnocchi and chopped garlic cloves.
4. Drizzle the Greek dressing over the ingredients on the pan and toss to ensure everything is very well coated.
5. Bake for 25 minutes, tossing at the 15 minute mark. After 25 minutes crumble the goat cheese over the top of all ingredients on the pan and bake for 5 more minutes.
6. Serve immediately topped with a mix of fresh chopped herbs, a drizzle of olive oil and handful of fresh black olives if desired.
Capital works update
Important update to staff carpark at Townsville University Hospital
To help ease weekday traffic congestion from staff car parks at Townsville University Hospital, from Monday 9 June, we are trialling the use of the emergency gate at the Eastern Campus carpark (car park #17) as an additional exit point. Please see the map below for reference.
The trial will run for three months, Monday to Friday, between 3pm and 6pm.
Please note that this gate will be for exit only, with vehicles required to turn left onto Discovery Drive, heading towards James Cook University. For those wishing to exit through this gate, consider parking nearby to avoid navigating the main car park during peak times.
Signage and electronic message boards are in place to assist with directions and safety during this period.
Traffic flow is being monitored, and feedback will be requested throughout the trial to inform future planning.
Thank you for your cooperation as we work to improve accessibility and reduce traffic congestion during peak periods.
Capital works update
Works currently underway Works on the way
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
Work location: Medilink building Level 2 current NQPMMS suite
Project: Charters Towers CT Scanner
Work location: Charters Towers Health Service
Project: Kirwan Health Communty Campus expansion
Work location: Kirwan Health Campus
Project: TUH Stage 1 expansion project (early works)
Work location: Main corridor - Angus Smith Drive
Project: Ingham CT Scanner
Work location: Ingham Health Service
Have any questions?
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 Susan Freiberg via email or THHS-InfrastructureOffice@health.qld.gov.au.
Classifieds
FOR SALE
Give away: baby guppies, as pets only. Phone Maria - 0414 692 032. (30/06)
FOR RENT
Modern 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom apartment in Cranbrook. Close to Hospital and Stockland Plaza. Fully air-conditioned including dishwasher and dryer. Private balcony, very secure complex, lock up garage. Swimming pool in complex $460 per week. Call David on 0427 728 372. (09/06)
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.
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.
