Townsville Hospital and Health Service

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Townsville, QLD
Townsville Hospital and Health Service

Do not use this page to report an emergency or to seek medical advice. In an emergency call 000

The Townsville HHS comprises 21 facilities across its catchment; 19 hospitals and community health campuses and two residential aged care facilities. It covers a geographic expanse extending north to Cardwell, west to Richmond, south to Home Hill, and east to Magnetic and Palm Islands. As northern Australia’s only tertiary-level health service, the HHS services an extensive catchment stretching from Mackay in the south, north to the Torres Strait Islands, and west to the Northern Territory border. We have a catchment population of 695,000 people and growing, with a geographical footprint of 148,000 square kilometres. At the centre is Townsville University Hospital (TUH) - the only tertiary referral hospital in North Queensland. TUH provides the latest in cardiac, obstetric, gynaecological, paediatric, neurosurgical, orthopaedic, cancer, mental health, neonatal, allied health, and intensive care services. To find out more, click here: https://www.townsville.health.qld.gov.au/
To find out more about career opportunities, click here: https://www.townsville.health.qld.gov.au/career-opportunities/

15/03/2026

We live in (very) rainy north Queensland, so this is a reminder to take extra measures to protect yourself from deadly soil-borne diseases such as melioidosis.🌧️

🧫𝑾𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒊𝒔 𝒎𝒆𝒍𝒊𝒐𝒊𝒅𝒐𝒔𝒊𝒔?
Melioidosis is caused by a bacterium which can be found in certain soils throughout our region, resulting in serious illness, particularly in those who have diabetes or are immunocompromised. In some cases, melioidosis can even cause death.

🛡️𝑯𝒐𝒘 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒄𝒂𝒏 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒕𝒆𝒄𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒔𝒆𝒍𝒇.
Rain and floodwaters can help uncover these deadly bacteria from the soil, increasing risk to exposure.
It’s important that you take extra precautions to protect yourself to avoid infection.
💦 Don’t play in floodwaters and avoid contact with mud and when cleaning
🧤 Wear protective footwear and gloves
😷 Wear a facemask if hosing down mud
🩹Cover up any cuts or sores with waterproof dressings
🚿 Wash yourself thoroughly after exposure to soil or muddy water.

If you start experiencing diarrhoea, headaches, fever, muscular aches, or nausea, contact your GP immediately.

13/03/2026

North Queensland parents and caregivers are being urged to familiarise themselves with choking hazards after a higher-than-usual number of young children were treated at Townsville University Hospital (TUH) for inhaled objects.

Six children have been treated for inhaled airway foreign bodies in just the past six weeks—a significant jump from the usual rate of about one case per month.

Paediatric respiratory and sleep specialist Dr Dustin Mills said most cases involve toddlers and preschool-aged children who explore the world with their mouths.

“Children under five account for the majority of choking incidents, with the highest risk between one and three years of age,” Dr Mills said.

“At this age a child’s windpipe is about the size of their little finger, which makes them more susceptible to choking, or worse.”

Parents and caregivers have been urged to become familiar with the signs, learn first aid, and call 000 in an emergency.

13/03/2026

A generous community donation is helping change the lives of young north Queenslanders living with Type 1 diabetes 💙🙌

The Rotary Club of Townsville and the Wheeler Family Charitable Endowment Trust funded seven insulin pumps for local children and teens, with Medtronic adding three more to bring the total to 10.

Townsville University Hospital paediatric endocrinologist Dr Jason Yates welcomed the support for young patients and their families.

For 17-year-old Sienna Kirby, who has lived with diabetes for 12 years, the support means everything.

“I’ve had diabetes for 12 years, so for someone who’s had it for such a long time receiving such a big donation is very life-changing especially as I’m going into the adult world.”

Thank you to Rotary, the Wheeler Family Charitable Endowment Trust and Medtronic for helping improve the lives of local children and families. 💙

Brighter Lives Townsville Hospital Foundation

12/03/2026

The Townsville Hospital and Health Service celebrated International Women’s Day with our annual event to honour the resilience, leadership, and contributions of women across our organisation. 💙💙

With the theme of 'give to gain' this year’s event highlighted the importance of mentorship, and the role women play in supporting emerging leaders.

A huge thank you to keynote speaker Claire Grant KC for taking the time to present to our staff. As one of Queensland’s most respected barristers and the first woman appointed King’s Counsel outside Brisbane Claire highlighted how generosity, mentorship, and shared knowledge have shaped her career and personal journey.

A standout moment was the panel session featuring our very own health service staff nurse unit manager Kylie Perry, kidney transplant service clinical director Dr Michelle Harfield, and psychiatrist and director of clinical training Dr Susannah Bond.

Thank you to all involved, we are so lucky to be surrounded by such incredible women! 🌟

12/03/2026

Townsville University Hospital is currently experiencing an increase in demand for our services. 🏥🚑

Please be assured that no patient will be refused care at any of our facilities, however, if your condition is assessed as less urgent upon arrival, you may experience a wait.

Our dedicated teams are working tirelessly to ensure we continue to deliver the high-quality healthcare our community relies on.

🚶‍️Advice for seeking care🚶‍️
- For non-life-threatening conditions, visit the Townsville Medicare Urgent Care Clinic at Eastbrooke Medical Centre (open daily from 11am to 9pm at 86 Thuringowa Drive, Thuringowa Central).
- For non-urgent medical issues, please consult your GP.
- For confidential health advice over the phone, call 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84)

Our staff are committed to helping everyone who comes through our doors.

Your patience and kindness are greatly appreciated as we navigate these busy times together.

11/03/2026

Orange you glad we have some incredible staff at Townsville HHS? 🍊✨

They turned TUH orange for World Delirium Awareness Day, raising vital awareness for a condition which is incredibly scary for patients and their families. 🧡🏥

Delirium is a very common and distressing change to a person’s mental state that develops quickly over hours to days. It can be different for different people but common symptoms experienced include confusion, being agitated or more sleepy than usual, clouded thinking and having difficulty paying attention or keeping track of conversations. It can be caused by the effects of illness, injury, having surgery, or medication. 🧠🤝💡

Important prevention strategies include supporting nutrition and hydration, movement and mobility, keeping the mind active by engaging in activities and social interaction, managing pain and using glasses and hearing aids if usually required.

For more information, visit https://www.delirium.org.au/

07/03/2026

Happy International Women’s Day! 🌟

Today we celebrate the incredible women across our Townsville Hospital and Health Service who care, innovate, and inspire every single day.

Flashback to last year’s wonderful International Women's Day staff event at Townsville University Hospital 💜📸

We're so excited to come together again this week for the 2026 event to recognise the achievements of women across our workforce and connect with one another.

Thank you to every woman who makes our health service what it is. 👏💐

06/03/2026

The Townsville Hospital and Health Service is looking for community members to join our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Advisory Council (ATSICAC) and Consumer Advisory Council (CAC). 🗣️🩵

Council members Bernice Hookey (ATSICAC) and Sandra Tate (CAC) said hearing from those with lived experience helped to create services that better meet community needs and build a more inclusive health system.

We invite you to express your interest and be part of improving healthcare in our region by sharing your experiences, ideas, and perspectives.

The Councils meet jointly every two months in a workshop, and we pay you for your time.💲

Applications close Friday 27 March 2026. Apply now ➡️
https://www.townsville.health.qld.gov.au/support-us/consumer-and-community-engagement/consultation-hub/

05/03/2026

There’s still time to RSVP to the final Pregnancy Care Community Forum in the Burdekin. 🤰✨

The forum is designed to give parents a platform to share what they value about local birthing and maternity care and where they see room for improvement. 🏥💬

At the first session, 14 Burdekin mums came along to share their feedback to help shape the future of maternity care in Ayr and Home Hill. 👩‍🍼🏘️

Ayr maternity co-design principal project officer, Lauren Lambert, is encouraging even more parents and caregivers to join the next session:

📅 When: 9 March
📍 Where: Burdekin Neighbourhood Centre

How to RSVP? email lauren.lambert@health.qld.gov.au or call: 0413 726 156

03/03/2026

Townsville Hospital and Health Service staff will once again turn Cluden Park into a sea of pink this Sunday for the Mater Chicks in Pink International Women’s Day Fun Run. 🩷🏃‍♀️

Healthy Kindy Kids administration officer Amanda Bell is part of the ‘Breast Busters’ team and said the group of 11, including her 8-year-old son, were looking forward to the event which raises funds and awareness for women living with breast cancer.

“Our team is led by the fearless and courageous Ness Carter, Townsville University Hospital midwife and cancer warrior,” Amanda said.

“I am excited to show my friend Sally who is currently on the chemo track, and our team's fearless captain Ness who has faced breast cancer head on, that they are seen.

“This important event helps ensure that the many women travelling this road can receive the support and services they need.”

Thank you to our wonderful staff walking for strength, hope, and every woman facing breast cancer. 🩷

Donations to the ‘Breast Busters’ team can still be made here: https://fundraise.mater.org.au/fundraisers/breastbusters

02/03/2026

Behind every smile at Townsville Hospital and Health Service’s oral health service is a dental assistant helping to make it happen. ✨🦷

This week is Dental Assistant Recognition Week, and it’s about celebrating those people who help give people their smiles back. 😁👏

Bevan, Jasmine, Chenice, and Libby are four of the 48 dental assistants working at the health service. 🏥👋

• Bevan is continuing to work as a dental assistant while studying to become a dentist 🎓📖

• Jasmine is our newest trainee 🌟

• Chenice is delivering oral health care to her community on Palm Island 🏝️🦷

• Libby is helping to coordinate the team 📋🤝

Dental assistants do everything from getting oral health care equipment prepped and cleaned to helping people feel comfortable during their visits. The service would be impossible to run without them. 💙

Happy Dental Assistant Recognition Week to all the dental assistants out there

27/02/2026

Viva Las Vegas for these Townsville University Hospital team members! 🏥✈️

They’ve packed their bags, including their North Queensland Cowboys jerseys, and made the trip to Vegas to watch the opening round of the NRL! 🏉

While what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas 🤫, we can’t wait to hear about their adventures on the Strip. 🎡✨

Go, Cowboys! 🤠

Address

100 Angus Smith Drive, Douglas
Townsville, QLD
4814

Telephone

+61744331111

Website

https://www.townsville.health.qld.gov.au/

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