Submissions for the Weekly Wrap must be received by 12pm, the Thursday before publication. Submissions should be sent as free text in an email or free text in a word document with title, key summary information, and links to QHEPS, documents, or external websites where appropriate.
Undated submissions will be removed after two editions, unless otherwise requested. You can submit your submission by clicking thr ‘Find out more’ button and contacting the Broadcast Team now!
Latest notices
Health Safety and Wellbeing
Planning and preparation are underway throughout the hospital for the cyclone season.
The severe weather season in North Queensland is underway, and preparation and planning are essential to minimise risks such as personal injury, structural damage, and service disruption.
This month’s Safety Focus highlights key actions to keep you prepared and safe:
• Understand your role and the risks that come with it
• Keep your personal details up to date
• Plan to avoid last-minute surprises
• Use the preparation checklist to stay on track
Please print and display this notice on your safety board.
Stay alert, Stay safe!
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
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
Brighter Christmas raffle
Win one of three amazing air fryers plus a $150 Lamberts gift voucher for first prize. By purchasing a raffle ticket, you’ll be helping to brighten Christmas for local patients during the festive season.
Brighter Lives
Prizes:
1. 1. Tefal Dual Easy Fry XXXL 11L + $150 Lamberts Gift Voucher valued at $699
2. 2. Tefal Dual Easy Fry XXXL 11L valued at $549
3. 3. Germanica 10L Air Fryer valued at $199
Tickets are priced at $5 each, 3 tickets for $10, 20 tickets for $50, 50 tickets for $100. Kindly donated by Phoenix Security and Lamberts Produce. Buy tickets online or at the
Brighter Lives gift shop - rafflelink.com.au/brightxmas2025
Must be 18+ to enter, QLD residents only. Raffle closes and drawn 10.00am 18 December 2025. Winner will be contacted by email and phone.
Townsville Fire – discounted tickets for staff
To celebrate Alex Fowler coming on board as a Brighter Lives ambassador and visiting this week, the Townsville Fire would like to offer all THHS staff a 10% discount at this Saturday’s game.
Just use the code BALLERS26 when purchasing online: https://townsvillefire.wnbl.com.au/
Christmas hampers available at the Gift Shop
Christmas hampers are now available at the gift shop with all profits supporting Brighter Lives! Purchase a premade hamper full of Christmas goodies and help your local charity this Christmas.
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.
Lions Christmas Cakes and Puddings – now available in the gift shop
Lions Christmas cakes and puddings available at the Brighter Lives Gift Shop on the ground floor.
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.
Storm Season Campaign
Storm season is upon us, and it is important you can reached if wild weather hits. Please take a moment to log in to myHR and check that your address, phone number, and in-case-of-emergency contact details are current.
It only takes a few minutes, but it makes a big difference in keeping everyone safe, informed, and supported during severe weather events. You can access myHR at any time on a work computer or on your own devices at myHR.health.qld.gov.au.
Select ‘personal profile’ to check and update your details. Stay prepared and connected by updating your details today!
Payroll Christmas Closure
Qld Health is running a campaign to promote awareness of the upcoming Christmas Payroll Closures. Click now to download the Line Manager Christmas Payroll Calendar or click to print and share the Christmas Payroll Closure (A3) Posters with your colleagues!
Reminder from Recruitment and Appointment Services for Closure
Advertising Deadlines & Holiday Office Closure
External Media Advertising
• Advertising through specialist journals or niche websites has now closed for 2025.
• Advertising on the Queensland Health Application Portal (via Springboard) and Seek will continue as usual throughout the holiday period. Please note that external media channels will be unavailable due to agency closures and cut-off dates.
Final Submission Date for Standard Advertising
(PSC Clearance, Queensland Health Application Portal via Springboard, Seek, and free media):
• Wednesday, 17 December 2025
Office Closure – Christmas and New Year Period
The Recruitment and Appointment Services office will be closed during the Christmas and New Year period from Thursday, 25 December 2025 to Thursday, 01 January 2026 to provide staff the opportunity for a substantial break for family and personal time during a traditionally low demand period.
If you have any questions or need support, please don’t hesitate to contact the team on (07) 4433 1710.
Queensland Health Sexual Harassment ‘E5 Policy’ Update
Queensland Health’s updated positive duty to prevent sexual harassment (E5) policy is now live and aims to create systemic change by preventing harm before it occurs.
We encourage all staff to start taking action by completing the new E5 policy training today via their local eLearning platform.
Training, Education & Research
Organisational Development
For further information, please contact Organisation Development: THHS-Learning@ health.qld.gov.au
Understanding Intergenerational Teams
In today’s workplace, five generations work side by side - each shaped by different life experiences, values and expectations. At THHS, Gen Z and Millennials make up more than half of our workforce, bringing new perspectives, skills and ways of working.
Program objectives:
• Understand the key traits, values and motivators of different generations, especially Gen Z and Millennials.
• Recognise and challenge assumptions or biases that can impact inter-generational teamwork.
• Apply practical communication and engagement strategies to work more effectively across generations.
• Reflect and commit to one small action that strengthens inter-generational relationships at THHS.
Click to register now
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.
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
Townsville Hospital and Health Service
This programme delivered in collaboration with the Centre for Leadership Excellence, health
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. Programs include:
• 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
Policies and Procedures
New / updated policies and procedures available on the Townsville Hospital & Health Service, Policy & Procedure Homepage
THHSCLI191330v4Cyclopentolate 0.5%; 1.0% minims (Paediatric use)Standing Order
Replaced: v3
Target Audience: Registered Nurse or Enrolled Nurse under the delegation of a Registered Nurse, Optometrist
Target Audience: medical and nursing staff who are competent in paediatric cannulation and/or caring for children with a PIVC in the clinical space
Paediatric intensive care unit (PICU) retrieval service policy
Replaced: NEW
Target Audience: All clinicians employed within the Yalurin retrieval service
Data and Information Management | THHSCOR140898v4
Replaced: v3
Target Audience: applies to all staff, contractors, consultants, volunteers and students within THHS and relates to all data and information regardless of format, including information presented on websites, business and clinical systems or dashboards, electronic/digital, print, audio, video, image, graphical, cartographic, physical, textual, or numerical form
Paediatric Fasting Guideline – Preoperative and pre-procedural | HHSCLI201444v3
Replaced: v2
Target Audience: All medical and Nursing Staff
Approved Medications at Townsville Prison Health Service (TPH) and Cleveland Youth Detention Centre (CYDC)
Replaced: v4
Target Audience:RNs, Nurse Practitioners (NPs) and Medical Officers (MOs) at Townsville Prison Health Service and CYDC Health Service
Target Audience: Registered Nurse or Enrolled Nurse under the delegation of a Registered Nurse, Optometrist
Apraclonidine 0.5% THHSCLI191328 Standing Orders
Replaced: v3
Target Audience: Registered Nurse or Enrolled Nurse under the delegation of a Registered Nurse, Optometrist
Cyclopentolate 0.2% / Phenylephrine 1% (paediatric under twelve (12) months old, excluding Neonatal Service) | THHSCLI191351 Standing Order
Replaced: v3
Target Audience: Registered Nurse or Enrolled Nurse under the delegation of a Registered Nurse, Optometrist
Reusable medical devices (RMD) – point of use cleaning and transport requirements
Replaced: v1
Target Audience: All employees, contractors and consultants within Townsville Hospital and Health Service (THHS) who handle or use RMDs.
Volunteer responsibilities and management
Replaced: v5
Target Audience: THHS staff and volunteers, including those managed by Brighter Lives
Adult Sexual Assault Response (14 years and older)
Replaced: v7
Target Audience: All THHS Clinical Staff
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
• Perinatal Loss Care Checklist – Miscarriage (00200:1412 v1)
• Perinatal Loss Care Checklist - Registerable Birth (00200:1413 v1)
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)
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.
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.
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
Health Consumers Queensland - Free Training for Staff
Build your skills in partnering with consumers in the following training sessions:
• Staff Foundations of Consumer Partnerships - Learn the basics of the why and how of partnering with consumers.
• Recruiting Consumers - Everything staff need to know to recruit consumers effectively.
• Active Listening, Micro-learning - Strengthen your communication skills with this practical module.
These modules are available to all staff for free. Click the ‘Find out more’ button to learn more.
Staff Noticeboard
Car Park Shuttle Service
The TUH shuttle bus is a service 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. Please share your feedback to ensure the smooth running of this service.
Healthcare Standards & Patient Safety Newsletter
Check out the most recent newsletter from the Healthcare Standards & Patient Safety Teams. Click the links below to read the newsletters:
Issue 5 – July 2025 Parkinson’s Disease Medication
Issue 6 - August 2025 Change in Behaviour - Could it be Delirium?
Issue 7 - September 2025 World Patient Safety Day 2025
Issue 8 - October 2025 Communicating for Safety
Read the latest Patient Safety Newsletter “Safety Matters” by clicking the ‘find out more’ button.
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
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”.
Townsville HHS Medication Newsletter
Signature Block
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.
Denomination Emergency Contact List
Suggestions:
1. When you require a Pastoral Care person – Ring Twice – the person may have missed the first call.
2. Leave a Message so the person can respond – Note: the Hospital phone system doesn’t leave a number so the priest can not return the call if no message is left.
3. If you are not able to get someone, ring the Pastoral care Coordinator on 0447 880 993 (no text messages please) and someone else will be assigned.
Community Noticeboard
NQ IMG Prep Program – Accomodation Providers!
We’re calling on our amazing Townsville Hospital and Health Service (THHS) staff to help support the next cohorts of international medical graduates (IMGs) as they take part in the North Queensland IMG Preparation Program.
This 12-week supervised vocational work experience program helps international doctors become jobready for the Australian healthcare system, with most participants going on to secure employment right here at Townsville University Hospital.
You can learn more about the program and what it involves via our internal site: NQ IMG Prep Program Overview
PROVIDE ACCOMMODATION FOR OUR PROGRAM DOCTORS
Our program participants are responsible for arranging their own accommodation while they are in Townsville for their 12-week placement. Many make significant personal, financial, and professional sacrifices to take part, often relocating away from their families and taking unpaid leave from their jobs to gain this valuable experience. We’re excited to announce that in 2026, some of our program doctors will undertake rural placements at Charters Towers and Ingham Health Services.
If you are located in Charters Towers or Ingham and have available accommodation, or know someone who does, please register your details via the link below or share my contact details. We’d love to hear from you!
If you have a room, granny flat, or property available, we invite you to register your details to help provide our program doctors with a home away from home during their stay.
2026 COHORT DATES
• Cohort 1: 23 February 2026 - 15 May 2026
• Cohort 2: 1 June 2026 - 21 August 2026
• Cohort 3: 7 September 2026 - 27 November 2026
Register your accommodation details here: Accommodation Registration Form
Once registered, your contact information will be shared directly with program doctors, who will then reach out to you themselves to discuss accommodation options.
DO YOU ALSO HAVE A SPARE VEHICLE?
Some accommodation providers also offer their spare vehicles for rent to program participants during their stay. If you’re interested in being added to our vehicle contact list, please email: nqimgprep@ health.qld.gov.au
For any questions or further information about becoming an accommodation or vehicle provider, please contact: nqimgprep@health.qld.gov.au
Thank you for helping us make our program doctors feel so welcome and supported here in North Queensland, and now, across Charters Towers and Ingham too!
If you’re thinking about what you’ll do once you retire, you’re not alone. Retirement planning doesn’t have to be hard. These 5 simple steps can help you take charge of your retirement journey.
Click the ‘Find out more’ button to learn more.
This is general information only. It’s not based on your personal objectives, financial situation or needs. So, think about those things and read the relevant Product Disclosure Statement and Target Market Determination at art.com.au/pds before you make any decision about our products. And if you’re still not sure, talk with a financial adviser. We issue this information and all Australian Retirement Trust products. When we say ‘we’, ‘us’ or ‘the Trustee’, we mean Australian Retirement Trust Pty Ltd (ABN 88 010 720 840, AFSL 228975), trustee of Australian Retirement Trust (ABN 60 905 115 063) (‘the Fund’ or ‘ART’). 262128. 12/25.
New Statewide ACP Reporting Dashboard
Did you know Queensland Health supports health services to deliver advance care planning (ACP) activity through healthcare purchasing and performance measures?
To measure and improve advance care planning activity Health professionals can now find ACP resources on the new QHEPS Advance care planning hub.
The hub also provides access to the new Statewide ACP Reporting Dashboard developed by the Statewide Office of Advance Care Planning. The dashboard gives health services a simple way to turn data into action, with interactive reports, guides and tools designed to help you:
• Monitor and measure ACP activity
• Implement quality improvement activities
• Demonstrate compliance with ACP related standards under the National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards and the new strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards.
Visit the ACP activity monitoring and measurement page to explore the dashboard and access more resources.
Employment Opportunities & Vacancies
Clinical research fellowship and funding now available.
Are you a clinician ready to advance your research and improve patient care? Access up to $250,000 in competitive funding to support your research and make a real impact. Apply today for a Clinical Research Fellowship (Round 7) to pursue research linked to your practice, or for a Clinical Research Capacity Building Grant designed for multidisciplinary teams working together. Don’t miss your chance!
To submit your application, click the ‘Find out more’ button.
Click to view current vacancies and emploment opportunities
