Townsville Hospital and Health Service

23/11/2025

Attention North Queensland: Heatwave conditions are impacting our region.
Please stay safe and see Queensland Health’s advice below. 🌡️🔥

23/11/2025

🚧 Public carpark upgrade works at Townsville University Hospital 🚧

We’re upgrading the TUH public carpark to improve access and increase parking capacity.

From Monday 24 November to Tuesday 2 December (6am–4:30pm daily), these temporary changes will be in place:

✅ Single-lane access in some areas – please give way to oncoming traffic where required
🚗 Some parking bays temporarily closed
🚧 Construction barriers and signage to guide drivers safely
👷 Work crews onsite – please follow their directions

We’re working to keep disruptions to a minimum and appreciate your patience while these important upgrades take place.

21/11/2025

Attention, North Queensland. 🌡️🔥
Prolonged heatwave conditions are expected across our region over the coming days.

Please take extra care and stay safe in the heat:

💧 Drink plenty of water and stay hydrated
⏳ Limit outdoor activity during the hottest parts of the day
🌴 Seek shade or air-conditioning where possible
👵 Check on children, older people, and those who may be vulnerable
🚫🚗 Never leave children, adults or pets in parked cars

If you feel unwell (dizziness, nausea, headache or confusion) please seek medical attention.

For the latest heatwave information and warnings, visit the Bureau of Meteorology:
👉

Forecasts and past weather for oceans, rivers and lakes, heatwaves, tropical cyclones, aviation, space, alpine areas and more

21/11/2025

This week is World Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Awareness Week, an annual initiative that shines a spotlight on the growing threat of drug-resistant infections. 🦠

Antimicrobials include antibiotics, antivirals, and antifungals, and are vital for treating infections.

However, when resistance develops, these treatments can become ineffective, making infections harder, and sometimes impossible, to treat.

Townsville Hospital and Health Service (HHS) infectious diseases physician Dr Mallory Morton said every inappropriate use of antimicrobials increased the risk of resistance and it was important to preserve these medicines for future generations.

“Within the Townsville HHS, the antimicrobial stewardship team works tirelessly to educate staff and monitor antimicrobial use,” Mallory said

“The community can also play a role by avoiding antibiotics for colds and flu, taking medicines as prescribed, and never sharing leftover antibiotics.

“Together, we can slow AMR and ensure lifesaving treatments remain effective.” 💚

17/11/2025

📱 Important information for patients who receive appointment messages from us 📩

Townsville Hospital and Health Service sends text messages (SMS) to notify patients about upcoming appointments and other information relating to their care.

Some patients have reported they haven’t received these messages because their phone has marked them as spam.

To make sure you don’t miss important updates, please check that our messages aren’t being flagged as spam on your device.

How to mark messages as “Not Spam” 👇

On your Android device:
1. Open Google Messages
2. Go to the Spam & blocked folder
3. Tap the message from Townsville Hospital and Health Service
4. Select “Not Spam”

On your iPhone device:
1. Tap the filter icon (top right) in Messages to access Unknown Senders and Spam folders.
2. In Unknown Senders, mark Townsville Hospital and Health Service messages as known or add to contacts.
3. In Spam, select their messages, tap Recover, then Move to Messages.
4. To disable these filters, go to Settings > Apps > Messages, scroll down, and turn off the Screen Unknown Senders and Filter Spam options.

This helps your phone recognise our messages as safe, so you don’t miss important information about your care.💙

The Townsville Hospital and Health Service (HHS) is passionate about improving the health and lives of the North Queensland community. We deliver excellent care, research and education to improve the health of the people and communities of northern Queensland.

17/11/2025

Gorgeous Stevie O’Reilly, born at just 22 weeks and two days on July 17, is Townsville University Hospital's supernova.

Stevie, believed to be the most premature baby in Australia to survive, was born four-and-a-half months early.

TUH director of neonatology Dr Gary Alcock, who was part of the team that cared for Stevie, and her twin brother Adrian, who sadly died 18 days after birth, said he believed she was a record breaker.

“Twenty-two weeks is very, very early; most babies born at less than 23 weeks don’t survive. To see her today is miraculous," he said.

The incredible back story belongs to Stevie’s mother Bree Basille who was pregnant with the twins when she boarded a flight from Perth with her family on July 13, for a holiday in Cairns.

Arriving at their city accommodation, Bree horrifyingly realised she was in pre-term labour.

She was transferred to TUH where the babies were born and then immediately admitted into the care of neonatal intensive care team.

While dealing with the heart-breaking loss of their little boy, Bree and Jake then faced more devastating news when Stevie developed serious complications.

“When Stevie developed sepsis (a life-threatening condition caused by the body's extreme reaction to infection leading to organ and tissue damage) within hours of us losing Adrian, I don’t think anyone in the unit thought she would make it,” Bree said.

After more than three months at TUH, Stevie was stable enough to be medivaced back to Perth to the neonatal unit at King Edward Memorial Hospital where she continues to be cared for.

Bree said the neonatal team at TUH would always hold a special place in her heart.

“I’m overcome with gratitude; the hospital and the neonatal team put their arms around us and the staff at Ronald McDonald House were amazing," she said.

Bree said she believed Stevie had been kept earthside to fulfill a higher promise.

“She has chronic lung disease from being born so early but I’m very optimistic about her future and can’t wait to see what she will do in life,” she said.

Neither can we, Bree! Thank you, and Jake, for letting us share your family's amazing story.

16/11/2025

Good luck trying to keep up with Oakley! 🏃‍♀️💨

The energetic, bright, and smiling little girl ✨ is full of life and around today because of a heart tissue transplant. ❤️

Today is DonateLife Thank You Day 🙏, and Oakley’s mum Jessie, together with Townsville HHS specialist nurse Meagan, are thanking donors for their selflessness and encouraging more people to register as one.

Jessie said because of the incredible generosity 💖 of someone else, Oakley now has a future. ☀️

Thank you to all the organ and tissue donors and their families. Your selfless gift 🎁 helps to bring hope from tragedy.

Haven’t registered to become a donor? ❓ It only takes a minute. ⏱️

Register today at donatelife.gov.au ➡️💻

14/11/2025

Registered Nurse Georgia Lutz has gone above and beyond to make a difference for young people impacted by cancer, raising more than $3,100 for Canteen. 💙✨

Georgia said she was inspired to organise the fundraiser through her work in the Townsville Cancer Centre.

“You see the strength of patients and their families every day,” she said. “I just wanted to do something small that could help make things a little easier for them, and Canteen felt like the perfect charity to support.”

To bring the fundraiser to life, Georgia organised a series of fun activities, including a staff competition where colleagues submitted photos of their pets proudly wearing Canteen bandanas.

“It was amazing seeing everyone get involved; patients, staff, everyone,” she said.

“It turned into something really meaningful and brought a lot of joy to the unit.”

A huge congratulations to Georgia and her colleagues for their compassion, creativity and commitment to supporting young people living with cancer!

13/11/2025

Got great coffee? ☕🚚 Tender opportunity

Townsville Hospital and Health Service (THHS) is inviting Expressions of Interest for the operation of coffee van(s) across its community health sites to include Cambridge Street, Palmerston Street, and North Ward.

Submissions are due by 28 November.

This licence offers:
· One (1) year operation with optional one (1) year extension
· Nominal licence fee of $1 per annum
· Service focus: weekday mornings (6:30am – 9:00am) for staff, patients and visitors

THHS procurement & contracts Officer Shai Hawkins said the team was excited to welcome innovative local operators to provide high-quality coffee and beverages to staff and the community.

“This is a great opportunity to be part of the Townsville healthcare family and support the wellbeing of those who care for us every day,” Shai said. 💙

THHS is committed to socially responsible procurement, ensuring ethical standards, sustainability, and positive community impact.

Find out more about this opportunity via the official Queensland Government tender portal VendorPanel ➡️ https://vendorpanel.com/platform/suppliers (reference number THHS127740 VP485953)

The Townsville Hospital and Health Service (HHS) is passionate about improving the health and lives of the North Queensland community. We deliver excellent care, research and education to improve the health of the people and communities of northern Queensland.

07/11/2025

Get Ready North Queensland - it's time to prep for cyclones, storms, and bacteria 🌀

The Queensland cyclone season runs from 1 November to 30 April, bringing the possibility of intense rainfall, damaging winds, and dangerous storm surges. 🌧️

Public health acting director Dr Kate Murton said now was the time to prepare for all scenarios, including bacterial infections.

“This year we have seen the highest recorded number of confirmed melioidosis cases in Queensland with 249 notifications, 88 of those in the Townsville Hospital and Health Service region,” Dr Murton said.

“It’s why we want the community to be aware of all the dangers and to be properly prepared for a disaster.

“Natural disasters can also be incredibly stressful so it's vital to have a plan to manage anxiety and know how to connect with mental health supports if needed.

“Become familiar with your local disaster dashboard for the latest accurate local disaster-related information as well as tips on what you should have in your disaster kit.”

Top Prep Tips:
🧹 Clear your yard of debris and secure loose items
🏠 Check your roof and gutters for damage or blockages
🗺️ Know your evacuation routes and check your local disaster dashboard
🎒 Stock your disaster kit with: torch, batteries, radio, food & water, first-aid supplies, and medications
🐶 Make a plan for pets and vulnerable family members
📞 Contact your GP now to arrange refills and scripts to avoid any gaps in treatment
🧪 Stock up on medications and check your first-aid kit.

🔗 More tips at getready.qld.gov.au
🗑️ REMINDER - Free Tip Run this weekend (November 7–10)
Townsville residents can dispose of domestic waste free of charge at any Council waste facility.

07/11/2025

Our TUH physio bros are on the mo! 🧑🧔

Movember has started and our physios are getting freaky with their facial follicles all in the names of men’s health.

Watch our fresh-faced physios get hairier over the course of the month as a reminder to check in with your mates, check in with yourself and get yourself checked for all your health concerns.

💸 And if you’ve got a spare dollar or two, help them smash their target of $5000 by donating to their Movember page here: https://bit.ly/49nhL4B

06/11/2025

Notice: Aitkenvale Library Child Health Clinic - Closed Saturday 8 November

Please note there will be no Child Health Nurse available at the Aitkenvale Library drop-in clinic on Saturday 8 November 2025 (9am–12pm).

We apologise for any inconvenience and thank our families for their understanding. Regular clinic hours will resume the following week.

For other Child Health clinic times and locations, visit

Child, Youth and Family Health Service is a free, community-based service provided to families by qualified health professionals.