Latest notices
Health Safety and Wellbeing
Slips, trips, and falls are consistently among the top three incident types reported in RiskMan each year.
Common causes include:
• Wet surfaces not dried properly
• Cords and cables not stowed away
• Equipment obstructing walkways
• Uneven or poorly maintained flooring / paths
• Not using designated pathways
This month’s Safety Focus explores the reasons these incidents occur and outlines controls to help reduce the risk of harm.
Please print and display this notice on your safety board.
Stay alert. Stay safe!
Recruitment & Appointment Services Update – Final Quarter 2025
As we head into the final quarter of the year, the Recruitment and Appointment Services team is pleased to share several important updates to support your workforce planning and recruitment needs.
New Contact Number – Now Live on Amazon Connect
We’ve upgraded our phone system to improve accessibility and service delivery. You can now reach the Recruitment and Appointment Services team via the HR Service Centre:
Phone: (07) 4433 1710
Select Option 4 for Recruitment and Appointment Services
This change is part of our ongoing commitment to streamline communication and enhance support for hiring managers and staff.
Admin Relief Pool Register – Now Open
The Admin Relief Pool Register is now available for permanent Townsville HHS administration stream employees (AO2–AO8) interested in short-term internal opportunities.
This initiative supports:
• Internal mobility
• Career development
• Streamlined access to temporary roles across THHS
Click here to find out more or sign up for the Admin Relief Pool Register for the Townsville HHS
Holiday Period Advertising – Plan Ahead
With the holiday season approaching, we encourage early planning for recruitment advertising:
• SmartJobs and SEEK will remain available throughout the holiday period.
• External media channels (e.g. specialist journals, niche websites) may have early cut-off dates or closures. These deadlines are still being confirmed and will be communicated closer to November.
Recruitment and Appointment Services will continue to operate during the holiday period, but advertising will be limited to SmartJobs and SEEK only due to external agency closures
Log in at any time to apply for leave, check your payslip or manage your inbox.
Scan the QR code to get started.
Please click the ‘Find out more’ button for more information.
Brighter Lives
Christmas gifts have arrived at the Gift Shop
Christmas items are now in stock at the Brighter Lives gift shop!
Hand crafted items, cute stuffed Christmas teddies and more available with 100% of profits going to Brighter Lives and helping support patients and staff here in Townsville Hospital and Health Service.
Closing the Gap shirts for sale now at Gift Shop
THHS Closing the Gap shirts are back in stock at the gift shop at Townsville University Hospital.
Unisex Sizes XXS-XXXL
Women’s Sizes 8-24
Colours – Blue, Turquoise, Black, Pink, Purple
The shirts are $55
The gift shop is open from 8.00am to 4.00pm Monday to Friday.
Training, Education & Research
Organisational Development
For further information, please contact Organisation Development: THHS-Learning@ health.qld.gov.au
Build Your Leadership Workshop
The Build Your Leadership Workshop provides participants with the next step on from ‘Ignite Your Leadership’ and builds people and team leadership skills.
Townsville Hospital and Health Service
Program Objectives:
• Examine the mindset shift from Leader of Self to Leader of Others
• Learn and evidence-based framework to develop flexible leadership and when to use each style
• Learn and evidence-based framework to lead a team, create a positive workplace culture and build performance
Click to register now
Essential Communication Skills For the Workplace
This programme is designed to provide staff with tools, strategies and techniques to assist in achieving effective two-way communications and positive relationship development.
It encompasses the following four (4) x 4-hour modules:
• Communication Foundational Skills
• Giving and Receiving Feedback
• Foundational Skills for Negotiating
• Dealing with Difficult Conversations
It is recommended the modules are undertaken in order, with Communication Foundational Skills prerequisite to all other modules.
Click to register now
Positive
Performance
Management – Developing People Management Skills
This program will equip line managers with tools, processes and frameworks to demonstrate good, day-to-day people performance management within the requirements of the Public Service Commission Directive 02/24 (Positive Performance Management) and HR Policy G9 to develop a good workplace culture.
Click to register now
Caring Together – Interprofessional Teaming
Focus on the benefit of interprofessional collaboration and the impact effective teaming has on the health outcomes of patients, staff wellbeing, and the sustainability of the health system, Caring Together –Interprofessional Teaming explores the barriers and enablers of effective collaboration and creation of an actionable plan to improve interprofessional collaboration in your workplace.
This 1 day programme enhances participants understanding of what it means to be a part of an interprofessional team and the value of interprofessional collaboration, recognises the importance of teaming in healthcare settings, explores the challenges and barriers to successful collaboration and identifies opportunities for improved interprofessional collaboration.
Click to register now
This programme delivered in collaboration with the Centre for Leadership Excellence, health Workforce.
Centre for Leadership Excellence (CLE) Statewide Capability Development Program
The Centre for Leadership Excellence’s Statewide programs are available to all Hospital and Health Service employees including emerging, aspiring and experienced leaders and managers in Queensland Health. Statewide programs are offered as facilitated programs delivered virtually, offering formalised training opportunities to develop leadership skills, capability and enhance career pathways.
• Business Partnering
• Conversations That Make a Difference
• Effective Writing Skills
• Essential Coaching Skills
• Manage4Improvement
• Maximising Stakeholder Relationships
• Step Up Leadership Program
• Take the Lead
• Wellbeing & Resilience
• Wellbeing Leadership
• Workload, Email and Meeting Management
Click to register now Programs include:
The integrated electronic medical record (ieMR) digital services team is avaliblie on 07 4433 1363 or ieMR-TTH@health.qld.gov.au for more information.
The Post Critical Workplace Incident Staff Support procedure describes the process for supporting staff following a critical workplace incident that may occur in any work unit across the Townsville Hospital and Health Service (THHS).
This training will provide you with an understanding of the Post Critical Workplace Incident Staff Support procedure. On completion of Post Critical Workplace Incident Staff Support course on Learning Online (LOL), line managers will have an:
• Understanding of what a critical incident is
• Understand the escalation process post critical incident
• Understand and identify cultural safety considerations
• Understand the ISTART debriefing framework
• Understand how to follow up and monitor staff wellbeing
To commence the training please click the following link: https://thhslol.nth.health.qld.gov.au/course/ view.php?id=3364
Target audience: Line Managers
Duration: 20-30 minutes
Frequency: Once only
Delivery mode: Online
Policies and Procedures
New / updated policies and procedures available on the Townsville Hospital & Health Service, Policy & Procedure Homepage
Aged Care Services – Palliative Care
Replaced: v2
Target Audience: All Townsville Hospital and Health Service (THHS) staff who work in an aged care setting, including but not limited to Residential Aged Care Facilities (RACF) and Multi-purpose Health Services (MPHS).
Aged Care Services - Individual Dignity of Risk management
Replaced: v2 Aged Care Services - Consumer risk management
Target Audience: All Townsville Hospital and Health Service (THHS) employees providing aged care services
Residential Aged Care Enablement and restorative care
Replaced: v2 ACS- Enablement and restorative care
Target Audience: All Townsville Hospital and Health Service (THHS) employees providing residential aged care services
Responsible Persons’ Suitability Assessment Process in Aged Care
Replaced: RHSG Aged Care Services - Suitability assessment process for key personnel in Aged Care v1
Target Audience: This procedure applies to identified Responsible Person roles within Medical/Rural Hospital Service Groups, as part of the Townsville Hospital and Health Service (THHS). This includes residential aged care facilities and Multi-Purpose health Services and roles supervising or managing Responsible Persons providing aged care services
Aged Care Services – Services and supports for daily living
Replaced: v2
Target Audience: all Townsville HHS employees providing aged care services
Aged Care Services Assessment contact visit conducted by the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission & National Disability Insurance Scheme Safety and Quality Commission
Replaced: v3 Aged Care Services - Residential aged care facility assessment contact visit conducted by the Aged Care Quality Commission
Target Audience: Townsville Hospital Health Service (THHS) employees providing aged care services
Rural and Aged Care single Director of Nursing (DON) on call
Replaced: v2
Target Audience: All Nurses and midwives across rural and aged care facilities within Townsville Hospital and Health Service (THHS)
Post employment worker screen monitoring for aged care services
Replaced: v1 Police Certificate Requirements for aged care for the CAC funded facilities & services within THHHS - managing and monitoring
Target Audience: Applies to all staff members, contractors and volunteers at Residential Aged Care Facilities (RACF), Multi-Purpose Health Services (MPHS) and those delivering services to clients under the Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) or the Transition Care Program (TCP).
Response to and reporting of actual, suspected, or alleged serious incidents in residential aged care facilities complying with the Serious Incident Response Scheme (SIRS)
Replaced: Replaced v5 Response to and reporting of actual, suspected and alleged serious incidents in residential aged care facilities
Target Audience: All staff, working in a Residential Aged Care Facility (RACF) and Multi-Purpose Health Services (MPHS)
Banning order review for aged care workers
Replaced: v1 RHSG Aged Care Services - Banning Order procedure for Aged Care Worker of an approved provider
Target Audience: THHS staff (including employees, contractors, volunteers, or others engaged by the THHS) who provide funded aged care or NDIS services to individuals
Liquidity and investment management strategy for Refundable accommodation deposits and contributions Residential Aged Care
Replaced:v5 Liquidity and investment management strategy for RAC
Target Audience: Townsville Hospital and Health Service (THHS) Financial Staff & Residential Aged Care Staff
Residential Aged Care - Australian National Aged Care Classification (AN-ACC) notification and individual assessment process
Replaced: v4 Aged Care Services - Australian National Aged Care Classification (AN-ACC) submission process
Target Audience: All Clinical Managers, Directors of Nursing, Trust Officers and Administration Team Leaders working within Eventide and Parklands Residential Aged Care Facilities (RACF), of the Rural Hospitals Service Group (RHSG) Townsville Hospital and Health Service (THHS).
Residential Aged Care Facilities Prudential and Financial Governance
Replaced: v4 Residential Aged Care Facilities Prudential Compliance and Financial Governance
Target Audience: Townsville Hospital and Health Service (THHS) Financial Staff & Residential Aged Care Staff
Notification of a Material Change in Aged Care Procedure | Townsville HHS | TPPU | Procedures
Replaced: NEW
Target Audience: This procedure applies to any roles or staff delivering aged care services within Townsville Hospital and Health service (THHS), including residential aged care, Multi[1]purpose Health Service (MPHS),Transition Care Program (TCP), and Commonwealth Home Support Packages (CHSP).
Rural Maternity Service Fetal Cardiotocography Management
Replaced: New
Target Audience: This Procedure applies to all maternity services employees within Townsville Hospital and Health Service (HHS), in the rural setting.
Transition Program Fee’s |THHSCOR241629v1 | Townsville HHS | TPPU | Policies
Replaced: v1
Target Audience: This Policy applies to all employees and all organisations and individuals acting as its agents (including Visiting Medical Officers and other partners, contractors, consultants and volunteers).
Accessing unapproved medicines - Individual Patient Approval and Special Access Scheme | THHSCLI140834 | Townsville HHS | TPPU | Procedures Replaced: v6
Target Audience: All clinicians and prescribers within Townsville Hospital and Health Service (THHS)
Infant FeedingReviewed Procedure | Townsville HHS | TPPU | Procedures Replaced: v6
Target Audience: Townsville Hospital and Health Service (THHS) Registered Nurses, Midwives and Medical Officers
Appointment (Relocation) expenses | THHSSUP140728 | Townsville HHS | TPPU | Procedures Replaced: v4
Target Audience: All staff within Townsville Hospital and Health Service (HHS) involved in the appointment of employees to Townsville HHS and candidates offered appointment expenses.
Heater cooler device (HCD) management Reviewed Procedure | Townsville HHS | TPPU | Procedures Replaced: V1
Target Audience: Perfusionists, Registered / Enrolled Nurses, working within the Operating theatre and the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at the Townsville University Hospital (TUH)
Enterprise Risk Management Policy Policy Template | Townsville HHS | TPPU | Policies Replaced:v6
Target Audience: This Policy applies to all employees, contractors, and consultants within the Townsville HHS.
Replaced: v1
Target Audience: Registered Nurses (RNs) assisting with the staff and inpatient vaccination program following completion of a vaccine education module.
Hepatitis A and Hepatitis BStanding Order Template | Townsville HHS | TPPU | Standing Orders
Replaced:v1
Target Audience: Registered Nurses (RNs) assisting with the staff vaccination program following completion of a vaccine education module.
DIPHTHERIA, TETANUS, PERTUSSIS VACCINE (dTpa)Standing Order Template | Townsville HHS | TPPU | Standing Orders
Replaced:v7
Target Audience: Registered Nurses (RNs) assisting with the staff immunisation program, following successful completion of a vaccine education module
Clinical Forms
Are you using the CURRENT version?
It is very important that you are using the current version of a clinical form. To ensure you print the current version, DO NOT save these forms to your local drive or photocopy these forms. If you need to continually refer to a form, you may ‘Add to Favourites’ in your web browser.
All clinical forms used within Townsville HHS can be found on the Clinical Forms webpage
New / Reviewed Clinical Forms
• Information Handover for Resident Being Transferred to Hospital (00200:0101 v3)
• Mirena Product Record (00200:1414 v1)
• Nursing Clinical Handover for Transfer of Care Neonatal (00200:0599 v6)
• Seclusion Observation Record (00200:0782 v5)
• Children’s Early Warning Tool (CEWT) Rural and Remote Less than 1 Year (SW141 v11)
• Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) Charters Towers Home Care Service Plan (00200:1410 v1)
• Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) Clinical Care Plan (00200:1411 v1)
• Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) Ingham Home Care Service Plan (00200:1408 v1)
• Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) Palm Island Home Care Service Plan (00200:1409 v1)
• Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) Service Agreement (00200:0937 v5)
• Intravenous and Subcutaneous Fluid Order Form (SW002 v8)
• Medical Imaging Procedure Observation Record (00200:0824 v3)
• Perinatal Mortality Clinical Examination of Baby (00200:1125 v2)
• Referral for Postnatal Midwifery Care (00200:1353 v2)
• Self-Managed Medical Risk Assessment and Agreement Prison Health Service (00200:1407 v1)
• Transition Care Program (TCP) Service Agreement (00200:0963 v4)
• Tuberculosis Control Contact Screening Management (00200:1415 v1)
New / Reviewed Clinical Forms
If you currently use the any of the forms listed below, please email TSVClinicalCommunication@health. qld.gov.au
• Home Care Service Plan - Domestic Assistance/Social Support/Respite Service
Patient Access and Flow Webpage
The ONE STOP location for all things Patient access and flow at THHS
New Guideline on the Demand Management and Escalation webpage Guideline 2 - Demand Response Unit – Flex Beds
New Guideline on the Patient Flow and Support Unit webpage Guideline 8 – Requesting an inpatient bed Kidney Transplant Recipient
Enterprise Risk Management Training
Strengthen Patient Safety & Operational Resilience with Enterprise Risk Management Training
Every one of us contributes to THHS achieving its goals – delivering exceptional care, supporting our teams, and making a real difference in our community.
Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) helps us do exactly that by giving us the tools to anticipate what could go wrong before it does, make informed decisions, and stay on track to achieve our objectives. Whether you work in clinical care, administration, facilities, or leadership, this training will help you see the bigger picture of how enterprise risks are identified, managed, and reported across THHS. You’ll learn practical ways to identify and respond to potential risks early, support confident decision-making, and strengthen how we deliver on our shared purpose.
What you’ll gain:
• Confidence to identify and manage enterprise risks in your area
• A clearer understanding of how risk connects to THHS objectives
• Practical tools to support decision-making and problem-solving
• A stronger voice in shaping a safe, resilient organisation
Register now through: Education and Training | Townsville HHS | Risk Management (health.qld.gov.au)
START HERE:
Course: Risk Management Basics | THHS-LOL (ONLINE MODULE - 30 mins) This training will provide you with an understanding of the core components of the THHS Enterprise Risk Management Framework.
FACE-TO-FACE & MICROSOFT TEAMS WORKSHOPS:
Register via LOL: Title – Risk Management Essentials (2.5 hours) Course: Risk Management Essentials | THHS-LOL (health.qld.gov.au)
This training is to ensure risk owners have the necessary skills to apply all aspects of the THHS Enterprise Risk Management Framework.
Register via LOL: Title – Risk Assessment and Treatment Plan (RATP) Workshop (2 hours)
Course: Risk assessment and treatment plan (RATP) Workshop | THHS-LOL (health.qld.gov.au)
This course is aimed at increasing your confidence and skills in assessing enterprise risk using the THHS Risk Assessment and Treatment Plan (RATP) template.
BUILD ON YOUR UNDERSTANDING:
Course: Strategic Risk Management | THHS-LOL (ONLINE MODULE - 20 mins)
This eLearning module is designed for the THHS senior leadership team, executive and directors, and focuses on shaping a risk intelligent approach to enterprise risk management.
Course: Risk Management Toolkit Sessions | THHS-LOL (8 X ONLINE VIDEOS – 10 mins)
These Toolkit Sessions are designed to provide targeted training in specific processes and functions set out in the THHS Enterprise Risk Management Framework.
For further information, please contact the Enterprise Risk Team at THHS-EnterpriseRisk@health.qld.gov.au
Staff Noticeboard
Check out the most recent newsletter from the Healthcare Standards & Patient Safety Teams. Click the links below to read the newsletters: Healthcare Standards & Patient Safety Newsletter
Issue 1 - March 2025 Pressure Injury Prevention
Issue 2 - April 2025 Falls Prevention
Issues 3 - Sepsis Awareness
Issue 4 – June 2025 Haemovigilance
Issue 5 – July 2025 Parkinson’s Disease Medication
Issue 6 - August 2025 Change in Behaviour - Could it be Delirium?
Read the latest Patient Safety Newsletter “Safety Matters” by clicking the ‘find out more’ button.
The TUH shuttle bus is a three-month trial service (September to November inclusive) operating from 6.30pm with a final run at 9.30pm from the hospital’s front foyer to eastern campus car park 17. The service is a safety measure for all streams and operates Monday to Friday.
Townsville HHS Medication Newsletter
The most recent editions of the Townsville HHS Medication newsletter are out now. Click the links to read them!
Feb Medication newsletter | February 2025 | Townsville HHS | Newsletter
March Medication newsletter | March 2025 | Townsville HHS | Newsletter
May Medication newsletter | May 2025 | Townsville HHS | Newsletter
July Medication newsletter | July 2025 | Townsville HHS | Newsletter
Signature Block
The Queensland Occupational Violence Strategy Unit have recently collaborated with Strategic Communications to develop an Occupational Violence Prevention Signature block.
The signature block reinforces messaging that occupational violence is not part of the job. The signature block generator can be found Signature Generator under the campaign banner “respect our staff”.
The Food Service has updated several material numbers to streamline our processes and improve efficiency. These updates are designed to enhance our service delivery and ensure that we continue to meet the highest standards. Stay up to date by utlising the link below for ordering food services for your teams. Stay up to date by utilising the link below for ordering food services for your teams.
Please see below updated information:
• Address number list for catering consumables.
• s4hana order catering consumables Mar 24.
