Mackay Hospital and Health Service

11/01/2026

Tropical Cyclone Koji crossed the coast between Ayr and Bowen this morning and has now weakened below tropical cyclone intensity.

All of our hospital and health facilities remain open for emergency care.

Due to road and airport closures, there may be some minimal disruption to specialist outpatient appointments and elective surgery tomorrow. Any patients affected will be contacted and rescheduling arranged.

Patients with travel arrangements which have been disrupted by the severe weather event and airport closures should contact their airline directly. Airlines will be able to provide the most up to date information regarding individual patient travel plans.

If you are advised of a need to rebook flights, you can contact the Mackay Base Hospital travel office on 4885 5291 or email mky-travel@health.qld.gov.au. This also includes those travelling from our rural facilities.

There are a number of road closures across the region. Please take extra care on the road todays an remember if it’s flooded, forget it.

Stay updated on road closures here:
• Mackay Regional Council Emergency Dashboard
• Isaac Regional Council Disaster Dashboard
• Whitsunday Regional Council Disaster Dashboard

People should avoid walking through floodwater and mud as much as possible due to the risk of soil-borne diseases, such as melioidosis, wound infections, diarrhoea, conjunctivitis, ear, nose and throat infections and other infections. If people cannot avoid contact with floodwater, people should wear enclosed and water-resistant footwear and protective gloves and cover any cuts, abrasions and sores with water-resistant dressing to reduce the risk of infections.

Always call Triple Zero (000) in an emergency. For non-urgent health advice 13HEALTH (13 43 25 84) is available 24 hours a day. 13HEALTH is a confidential phone service where you can talk to a registered nurse who can provide health information and assess symptoms.

Thank you to all our staff for your co-operation, collaboration and efforts during this weather event. We acknowledge the additional preparation work which was undertaken by many staff in affected areas and thank you for your commitment to ensuring continuity of care for our patients and services.

10/01/2026

Tropical Cyclone Koji has developed as a category 2 tropical cyclone and is forecast to continue a southerly track crossing the coast between Townsville and Bowen early Sunday morning.

The Tropical Cyclone Warning Zone extends from Innisfail to Mackay including Townsville, Bowen, Proserpine and Whitsundays Islands.

Intensive rainfall and damaging to locally destructive winds are forecast from later tonight continuing over the weekend.

People between Ayr and Townsville including Bowen and Airlie Beach must complete preparations now and prepare to take shelter in a safe place.

Residents further south to Mackay should take all necessary precautions now and listen to the next advice.

🏥 Our hospitals and health facilities in affected areas, particularly the Bowen and Proserpine emergency departments, remain open and staff are well prepared for the severe weather event.

☎️ Always call Triple Zero (000) in an emergency. For non urgent health advice 13HEALTH (13 43 25 84) is available 24 hours a day. 13HEALTH is a confidential phone service where you can talk to a registered nurse who can provide health information and assess symptoms.

And remember, if it's flooded, forget it. ⚠️

10/01/2026

🛫 We would like to advise Mackay Hospital and Health Service (HHS) patients who have travel arrangements in place in the next few days that there may be disruptions to flights to and from Mackay Airport and Whitsunday Coast Airport. 🛬

The disruption is due to the current severe weather warning now in place.

Both airports remain open and operational at 12pm Saturday 10 January. They will closely monitor the tropical low, in partnership with authorities and airport stakeholders.

This may have an impact on patient travel and anyone affected is advised to contact their airline directly regarding any schedule changes

Any further airport updates will be provided on their pages and on the Mackay Airport and Whitsunday Coast Airport websites.

Please contact your airline directly as they will be able to provide the most up-to-date information regarding individual patient travel plans.

If you are advised of a need to rebook flights, you can then contact the Mackay Base Hospital Travel Office on 48855291 or email mky-travel@health.qld.gov.au. This also includes those travelling from our rural facilities.

Thank you for your understanding and patience.

10/01/2026

Mackay HHS is well prepared for the severe weather event forecast this weekend.

A Tropical Cyclone Warning Zone extends from Port Douglas to Airlie Beach, including Townsville, Bowen and Proserpine. The Bureau of Meteorology has advised people in these areas should take precautions and listen to the next advice.

We are closely monitoring the weather situation which is expected to bring intense rainfall and damaging winds to our region tonight and tomorrow.

🏥 Our hospitals and health facilities in affected areas, including our emergency departments, remain open.

People should ensure their emergency kit and their prescriptions for essential medications are up-to-date. An emergency kit should contain all medical and health supplies required for at least seven days. This may include first-aid items, essential medication, prescriptions, hand sanitiser, infant supplies, sanitary products, thermometer, batteries and chargers for medical devices, and face masks.

🔌Severe weather can lead to a loss of power. People with medical devices should plan ahead now to ensure their devices are charged and batteries are available to maintain power.

💦 People should avoid walking through floodwater and mud as much as possible due to the risk of soil-borne diseases, such as melioidosis, wound infections, diarrhoea, conjunctivitis, ear, nose and throat infections and other infections. If people cannot avoid contact with floodwater, people should wear enclosed and water-resistant footwear and protective gloves and cover any cuts, abrasions and sores with water-resistant dressing to reduce the risk of infections.

☎️ Always call Triple Zero (000) in an emergency. For non urgent health advice 13HEALTH (13 43 25 84) is available 24 hours a day. 13HEALTH is a confidential phone service where you can talk to a registered nurse who can provide health information and assess symptoms.

We want everyone to remain safe, so please don’t travel when it is not safe to do. And remember, if it's flooded, forget it. ⚠️

09/01/2026

Mackay HHS is monitoring and planning for severe weather conditions this weekend.

A severe weather warning for heavy and intense rainfall and damaging winds is in place for areas along the Central Coast and Whitsundays and to areas south of Mackay including St Lawrence.

In addition, a Tropical Cyclone Watch has now been issued from Tully to Airlie Beach, including Townsville and Bowen. A flood watch is also current for coastal rivers from Cooktown to Rockhampton.

We are closely monitoring the weather situation which is expected to bring intense rainfall and damaging winds to our region.

Our staff and facilities, including our emergency departments and rural sites, are well prepared for the severe weather event and will continue providing care for the community over this time.

When emergencies happen, it's important that you and your family have everything you need to stay healthy. Ensure your emergency kit includes any healthcare supplies to cover you for 7 days and in preparation for a possible evacuation.

This is especially important for people with pre-existing medical conditions. You might also need to use the supplies in your emergency kit when chemists or supermarkets are closed.

Your emergency kit should include:
💊 7-day supply of all medication, including prescription and basic over-the-counter supplies.
🩹 A basic first aid kit.
🧼 Sanitation supplies like hand sanitiser, water purification tablets and bleach.
🧷 Sanitary products, including menstrual supplies, nappies and catheters.
🌡️ Medical supplies and devices you or your family might need like a CPAP machine, thermometer, blood pressure monitor, mobility aids, diabetic testers, strips and insulin.
🪫 Enough batteries or chargers to power medical devices.
❤️‍🩹 Prescriptions, Medicare card, a medical history and healthcare contacts.

Visitors are encouraged to prioritise their safety when considering visiting the hospital during the severe weather.

We want everyone to remain safe, so please don’t travel when it is not safe to do. And remember, if it's flooded, forget it!

09/01/2026

The Mackay Public Health Unit has confirmed a case of measles in an overseas traveller who has visited the Mackay region.

The traveller’s interactions within the community have been very limited and the risk of local transmission is considered low.

The Mackay Public Health Unit has completed all contact tracing and no local exposure sites have been identified.

The individual travelled up the Queensland coast by car. Any potential locations of concern will be published here https://www.health.qld.gov.au/newsroom/alerts.

Measles is a highly infectious virus that is spread by coughing and sneezing or through direct contact with secretions from the nose or mouth. Symptoms usually start 7-10 days after contact with an infected person but can sometimes take as long as three weeks.

Measles usually starts as a flu-like illness with symptoms that include:
🥵 fever
😪 tiredness
🤒 blotchy rash that spreads from head/face to rest of body
😷 severe cough
👀 red/sore eyes
👃 runny nose
👄 white spots in the mouth

Although the most well-known symptom of measles is a blotchy red rash, this is not usually the first symptom.
Measles can be a serious illness. Everyone should ensure they are vaccinated for measles, particularly if you are due to travel overseas.

For further information about measles, head to https://www.qld.gov.au/.../infec.../viral-infections/measles

07/01/2026

Our mobile BreastScreen service is visiting the Isaac region now. All b***s are welcome!

A breast screen is a simple way to take care of yourself and it could make all the difference. It’s free, it’s quick and it’s one important appointment worth keeping.

Make self-care a priority this new year and book today by calling 132050. Because looking after yourself is one of the most powerful things you can do 💝

05/01/2026

Hello baby! 👶🍼

An early arrival actually became a late Christmas gift for one Mt Pleasant couple.

Ethan Maslen and Natalie Griffiths welcomed their first child, Riley Eric Maslen, on 29 December at 1.02am at Mackay Base Hospital.

The gorgeous bundle was actually due on New Year’s Day in 2026, but was born two days early by caesarean section, just four days after Christmas in 2025.

Riley weighed 3.32kg and his middle name Eric is a tribute to Natalie’s grandfather.

The couple expressed their thanks to the midwives, doctors and maternity team at the Mackay Base Hospital who assisted with Riley’s early delivery.

Congratulations to the family on the safe arrival of your gorgeous son! 💙

02/01/2026

🎅 Congratulations to the winners of the Most Creative Theme category in the 2025 Mackay HHS Christmas Decorating Competition. 🎄

31/12/2025

31/12/2025

Mackay Base Hospital is experiencing a significant increase in demand for our services.

We will see all patients, however, if you attend the emergency department and if your condition is assessed as less urgent upon arrival, you may experience a longer wait.

Did you know some urgent medical conditions can be seen virtually? 👀💻🤳

Using the Virtual Emergency Care Service (VECS) could save you time and money and get you the help you need sooner.

The VECS team will triage your concern and, if appropriate, place you in a queue to see the Emergency Doctor for a telehealth consultation. VECS is a free service for all Queenslanders with a Medicare card. You can access VECS here https://buff.ly/4eHOrrr

Not sure if VECS is right for you? Use the Symptom Checker to find the best option of care for you: https://buff.ly/3AGcN5O

Other ways to seek help can include:

☎ For confidential health advice over the phone, call 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84)
🩺 For non-urgent medical issues, please consult your GP.
💉 Make an appointment for a flu vaccination with your pharmacy or GP.

Remember, in an emergency, always call Triple Zero (000). 🚑

Our dedicated teams are working hard to provide the care our community relies on.

Your patience and kindness are greatly appreciated and we wish you all a safe, happy and healthy New Year.

31/12/2025

🎅 Congratulations to the winners of the Best Rural Facility Display category in the 2025 Mackay HHS Christmas Decorating Competition. 🎄