Issuu

11 SEPTEMBER 2026

Health service has ‘Just 12’ questions for you Read the full story on page 4. PAGE 10 Mobile poll recipe for success

PAGE 8 Meet our 2026 champions

Dear colleagues Today is the first of our annual thank you events, and I’m looking forward to seeing many Townsville University Hospital staff at our famous lunchtime barbecue. We’re changing it up slightly this year, using both Federation Garden and the paediatric garden to ease congestion and, hopefully, help the lines move a little quicker. Huge thanks to our teams in food services, public affairs, and BEMS who take on the logistical load of the barbecue each year. Please make your way down today between 11am and 1pm to say hello and snag a steak, sausage, or veggie burger. I’m also looking forward to the Kirwan barbecue next month and our rural events; they all present wonderful opportunities for the executive to personally say thank you for the important work you do. We are also launching our second ‘Just 12’ staff engagement survey today. The Gallup survey is a fiveyear undertaking to measure staff engagement in our health service. The results help our teams and team leaders understand where staff engagement with the organisational goals is strong, where teams need support, and what is working well. This 12-question survey is an internationally validated tool used around the world by industries including banking, mining, higher education, and government to measure thriving at work and workplace needs. It’s important when completing the survey to apply the 12 questions to your own team; the results will be given to leaders to support team-based action planning based on your feedback. Thank you to those teams that have shared their action planning, based on last year’s results, in today’s ‘Just 12’-themed edition of the blah. To sweeten the deal, we have $50 Visa cards, gourmet hampers, coffee vouchers, and goodie drops thanks to our survey sponsor RemServ. Please take the three minutes to do the survey!

As many of you are aware, at the end of July we forecast a shortfall in our clinical performance targets or WAU targets. I am particularly pleased to advise that once we had finalised the clinical coding at the end of August, for the last financial year, we were able to advise QH that we had in fact met our performance targets. I want to thank everyone who worked tirelessly over the past year and a special call out to those staff who worked above and beyond auditing our clinical coding to ensure we captured and recognised the hard work of our clinical teams. I was delighted to attend the multi-million-dollar expansion of the Kirwan Health Campus last week. The new build has transformed the delivery of community-based oral health and maternity services providing a state-of-the-art environment offering the very best in contemporary health planning and aesthetics. A huge thank you to our clinical, infrastructure, administration, tech, and support teams that helped make this happen. A special thank you to our consumers and the arts in health team that commissioned and selected the magnificent artworks and decals in the new spaces; they make such a difference to people who may be anxious and unsettled in a healthcare setting and add a special new dimension to the build. Our annual length-of-service events are also on the horizon with the TUH event scheduled for 16 September. Those staff with 20+ years of service have been invited to the event on the Western Terrace while certificates for staff with service of 10 and 15 years will be provided via service groups, divisions, and directorates. If you’re on our QHEPS list and have 20+ years of service, please check your inbox to make sure you haven’t missed your invitation! Staff in our rural facilities will receive their certificates at the scheduled thank you events from 17 September onwards. Have a lovely weekend. Shellee Chapman Acting HSCE

Townsville Hospital and Health Service

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Three minutes. Twelve questions. Your workplace, your say. Scan the QR code to complete the survey Survey period: 11/09/2026 – 09/10/2026

Front row: Melissa Douglas, Kylie Van Krieke Back row: Hayley Purnell, Melissa Crawford, Libby McDonald

Health service Gallups into second year of survey The health service has today opened the ‘Just 12’ survey to staff, the second in a five-year poll focusing on team-based staff engagement. Since the first survey in 2025, teams across the health service have used the results to ‘action plan’ to improve local engagement. Oral health service development officer Melissa Douglas said her team based its action planning on ‘expectations at work’ and ‘reward and recognition’. “The main feedback from our team related to question one and what was expected of the team; we had quite a few new staff, so it wasn’t unexpected,” she said. “As a result, we put in place regular stream meetings, followed by a summary email of what we talked about, and what actions were occurring as a result.

Townsville Hospital and Health Service

“We also connected in with other streams where they were captured in our conversations.” Melissa said oral health services had also implemented ‘Moments that Matter’ which focused on recognition. “We took the feedback on question four about receiving recognition or praise for good work and popped a QRCode up for staff to share positive things about each other,” she said.

“Sometimes we can take things for granted after a busy day, so this was about taking the time to say thank you to each other and recognise our teammates.” Director information technology service Michael Barber said he had used the ‘Just 12’ action planning platform to help shape team conversations about key areas of survey feedback including role clarity and expectations.

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“The bigger area of focus for us, though, was question three about the ‘opportunity to do what I do best every day’,” Michael said. “We did two big sessions with our combined teams and asked that question using the action plan to get into the detail.

“The best part was that people had time to talk about the question openly and the opportunity to describe what it meant to them individually.” Michael said the chance for him to facilitate the conversations was a gold nugget in the process. “Communication between the teams has improved and we now do monthly combined team catch-ups over lunch; we’re currently assessing Townsville’s parmies and, like all good IT people, the data is being recorded on a digital validation tool.” Acting health service chief executive Shellee Chapman said the primary purpose of ‘Just 12’ was a once-a-year opportunity to measure the engagement of individual teams at work and encourage a conversation.

“The survey provides a team-by-team breakdown of engagement scores based on 12 questions and the results provide an opportunity for teams to identify their strengths and challenges and agree on actions that will make a difference,” she said. “I’m delighted to see teams making positive change based on their survey results.

“The change doesn’t have to be big or complex; sometimes it’s the little things that can have the biggest impact.” Shellee said satisfaction and engagement at work were linked to overall wellbeing. “The average Australian spends around 82,000 hours in their lifetime working,” she said. “If we’re going to spend that much time at work it makes sense that those hours should be enjoyable and create a sense of purpose.”

‘Just 12’ runs from September 11 to October 9.

“The survey asks 12 questions that look for the consistent conditions that reveal themselves in high-performing, energised teams,” she said.

Front row: Bincy Porathukaran Andrews, Isaac Gardner, Michael Barber, Ruchi Shrivastava Back row: Sahan Wijayasekara, Matthew Fox, Jake Bingham, Philip Ban

Three minutes. Twelve questions. Your workplace, your say.

Paula Pekkanen

Mochas, Maltesers fuel ‘Just 12’ survey Coffee vouchers, Visa cards, and sweet treats, sponsored by survey partner RemServ, will add a little extra enticement for staff completing the annual engagement survey ‘Just 12’. Acting director staff engagement and cultural transformation Paula Pekkanen said staff who completed the survey would go into the daily prize draw for $50 Visa cards. “We also have coffee vouchers on offer during the survey period and thanks to a generous discount from Peachi at Medilink, we’re able to put even more coffees into the hands of our staff,” she said. “Keep an eye out for some sweet treats arriving in staff rooms soon, too; you’ll find the QR code on them, making it easy to snack, scan, and complete the survey, all in less than three minutes. “We know everyone is busy so we’re sweetening the deal, literally.”

Two gourmet hampers and two $100 Visa cards will be on offer at the staff barbecues at Townsville University Hospital and Kirwan Health Campus for staff completing the survey. “Anyone doing the survey on the day of the barbecues will go into the draw for these great prizes, also courtesy of RemServ,” Paula said. Townsville Hospital and Health Service

Paula said staff should also keep an eye out for the ‘Just 12’ champions around the health service. “Our champions can point you to the QR codes which you can scan on your personal device while you’re out and about and are happy to answer any questions you might have about the survey,” she said.

“I’ll also be out and about during the survey period, including early mornings, evenings, weekends and maybe even at the transit bus stop, making sure as many staff as possible have the opportunity to participate and ask questions. “Come and say hello; I may even have some coffee vouchers or sweet treats on hand. “There is also a dedicated ‘Just 12’ QHEPS page which includes Q&As.” Paula said ‘Just 12’ was based on Gallup’s worldleading research providing a trusted measure of employee engagement. “The survey uses 12 key questions to measure the team factors that drive engagement, helping us better understand whether people feel connected, supported, and able to do their best work.” ‘Just 12’ runs from September 11 to October 9.

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Jo Stitt and Claire Hession

Jo and Claire are best work friends forever Got a work BFF? If you do, you’re more fulfilled at work, you’ll stay longer in the job, and you’ll find more joy in the workday.

“It’s fantastic knowing there’s someone I can go to for ideas and support who has walked that road.

This year’s ‘Just 12’ survey is again asking Townsville Hospital and Health Service staff if they have a bestie at work.

“It’s lovely to come to work knowing Claire is there.”

Townsville University Hospital allied health directors Jo Stitt and Claire Hession know firsthand the value of being each other’s work bestie. Claire said having someone like Jo made tackling the everyday much more enjoyable. “Jo and I are co-directors and when you’re in a leadership position it can sometimes feel quite lonely,” Claire said. “It’s difficult to find colleagues you can safely have those conversations with because you’re it, and other people report to you. “Jo and I lean on each other a lot and work to each other’s strengths.” Jo said the day-to-day partnership brought a vital perspective and consistency to her role.

While the pair support each other through work, they also take time to step away from their desks and take in the moments that matter. “We don’t mind taking a bit of a breather and going to the café for a hot chocolate and taking a few minutes to talk about things other than work,” Jo said. “It’s good to know there’s someone out there experiencing the workplace in the same sort of way you are, and someone you can chat with quite openly.

“Having a work bestie makes coming to work a whole lot nicer and I encourage everyone to try and find a best friend at work. “Even if it isn’t in the same clinical area, just finding someone you can lean on to build a trusted relationship makes a world of difference.”

“The problems I deal with are often the same problems Claire deals with, just in a different context,” Jo said.

Townsville Hospital and Health Service

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Meet the ‘Just 12’ Engagement Champions Erin Greig One word to describe working at the Townsville HHS? Purposeful. Why should staff complete ‘Just 12’? ‘Just 12’ gives us an opportunity to share what is working well within our teams and where we could do better. Honest feedback helps us understand what matters to our people and where meaningful action is needed. What engages you at work? Knowing that my work contributes to meaningful improvements for our staff, services and ultimately our patients.

Alec Stevens What engages you at work? Being in an environment where our efforts make a meaningful difference in the lives of people within our community every day. How would you describe your team? Amazing. I’m very blessed to be surrounded by a diverse, hardworking and dedicated workgroup. What would you like to see more of at the Townsville HHS? All of us pulling in the same direction and remembering our “why.”

Michael Illin One word to describe working at the Townsville HHS? Fulfilling. Why should staff complete ‘Just 12’? It is important for staff to provide feedback to ensure we as a health service can provide improvements where necessary, and also hear about the great work already happening. What engages you at work? The opportunity to help and assist people sometimes at their most vulnerable to have access to healthcare, and to achieve better health outcomes for them, their families, and community.

Townsville Hospital and Health Service

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Lauren Bosley What engages you at work? The rewarding nature of the work. I truly enjoy getting to meet patients everyday and feel like I am contributing to improving their health. Why should staff complete ‘Just 12’? To share our experiences about what is working well and identify areas for improvement. What would you like to see more of at work? Celebrating successes. Every day I am inspired by the people I work with, and I’d love the opportunity to acknowledge the individuals within our workforce that make it a great place to work.

Amanda Bell How would you describe your team? Supportive, collaborative, and inspiring. What would you like to see more of at work? A re-invigorated focus on staff wellbeing, excellent patient care starts with a supported workforce. When our people are cared for, they can provide the highest quality care to others. Why should staff complete ‘Just 12’? By taking part, you are having your say about your environment and you are helping to ensure you have everything you need to perform to a high standard. Water cooler talk cannot affect change, but ‘Just 12’ can. What engages you at work? Knowing and appreciating that I play a small, but equally important part of a much bigger picture when it comes to be better health outcomes for our community.

Townsville Hospital and Health Service

Chloe Bail How would you describe working at the Townsville HHS in one word? Rewarding. How would you describe your team? They are my greatest strength and loudest cheerleaders. I truly believe that if you have a great team then nothing can stop you from achieving any goal. What would you like to see more of at work? I would like to see more events where TUH staff can come together to practice vital self-care. Why should staff complete ‘Just 12’? While completing a feedback survey can look small at first, the overall impacts that it can have on a system can be immense. Especially when multiple voices are united in sharing the same message.

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Cheryl Whitten, Amanda Douglas, Nora Pikoh-Paech, Dale Richter, Margie Saylor

Mobile poll recipe for success Taking the ‘Just 12’ survey direct to staff who don’t routinely use computers is a recipe for success, according to Townsville University Hospital’s kitchen services team. The team spends the day preparing and dishing up more than 1,600 patient meals across Townsville University Hospital and bringing the ‘Just 12’ staff engagement survey to them makes it quicker and easier to complete. Facilities and integrated support services (FISS) human resources business partner and ‘Just 12’ champion Dale Richter said it was important that teams working in non-administrative and nonclinical areas had the opportunity to respond to the survey questions. “We’ll make sure the QRCode is prominently displayed around all the FISS work areas and amenities, including the kitchen, so our teams can scan it with their own devices and take a few minutes to complete the survey.”

Dale said he hoped to see a higher level of participation from FISS staff this year.

“It’s a team-based survey that will help us understand which of our teams are seeing strong engagement with their goals at work and where we may have to provide something extra to support the team dynamic.” Acting director staff engagement and cultural transformation Paula Pekkanen encouraged all health service staff to do the survey. “This is our second year of the five-year cycle with every response helping us better understand staff engagement across the health service,” she said. “We recognise that completing the survey can be more challenging for staff who do not have regular access to a computer, like in the kitchen and basement for example, and that’s why we’re working closely with those teams to create more opportunities and make it easier for everyone to participate.

“This will also improve their chances of winning some of the great survey participation prizes on offer.”

“I’d really love us to improve on last year’s participation rate and I’m available to answer any of our staff’s questions about the reasons behind the survey and what we’re trying to achieve as well as answer any specific questions they might have,” he said.

Townsville Hospital and Health Service

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Food services’ Christine Weber and Alec Stevens

Free lunch just what the doctor ordered for TUH staff Townsville University Hospital staff will be looking to snag a free lunch with the Staff Thank You BBQ just a few hours away. Food services have started taking delivery of the food earlier this week ahead of today’s massive cook-up at the Paediatric Gardens.

“Health care is a tough job and sometimes it can feel a bit thankless,” Shellee said.

“This BBQ, along with other thank you events held across the health service, was a way to acknowledge the hard work and for us to take a moment to spend some time with each other.

Assistant manager of food services Alec Stevens said deliveries had started ramping up from the start of the week.

“This year the Kirwan Health Campus will also have its own Staff Thank You BBQ which is going to be really exciting and will be held on 1 October.

“This is not just a backyard BBQ and a lot of planning and logistics has gone into making sure this event is a success,” Alec said.

“I am looking forward to getting out and seeing many of you to thank you for your efforts.”

“We’ve ordered more than 120kg of steak, 80kg of sausages, 1000 bread rolls, 40 loaves of bread, salads, sauces, and much more.

The TUH Staff Thank You BBQ is on from 11am to 2pm today at the Paediatric Gardens.

“There are also options for people wanting or needing something vegan, vegetarian, or glutenfree.

Acting health service chief executive Shellee Chapman said the BBQ was an opportunity for the health service’s leadership team to thank everyone for their hard work.

Townsville Hospital and Health Service

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Please join us for a staff thank-you BBQ to celebrate the outstanding efforts in 2025-2026 Townsville University Hospital Paediatric Gardens

Kirwan Health Campus

Friday 11 September

Thursday 1 October

11 am to 1pm

(next to Federation Gardens)

Daniel Peres, Dr Melita Trout, Jarod Neibling, Meagan Baldwin

Jerseyed up for organ donation Townsville Hospital and Health Service staff turned up, decked head-to-toe in their team colours, to celebrate Jersey Day 2026 last week. The national awareness campaign has been running for over 10 years, organised by the Nathan Gremmo Community Network in conjunction with DonateLife, in memory of 13-year-old Nathan who became an organ donor after losing his life in a motor vehicle accident. Donation specialist nurse coordinator Meagan Baldwin said the day was about raising awareness and encouraging organ donation registration rather than raising funds.

Oncology ward staff

Townsville Hospital and Health Service

“Registration expresses your wish to donate, and families are also involved in confirming and supporting the person’s wishes before donation proceeds,” she said. “Having a conversation with your family is essential as they’re more likely to support donation if they already know their loved one’s wishes. “When families are uncertain, they are significantly less likely to agree to donation.” Register to become an organ and tissue donor at www.donatelife.gov.au

Food services staff

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Gabrielle Parson, Kellie West, Dr Bryony Van Santen, Lesley brown, Amelia Wheelhouse

New gynaecology space a comfort for patients and staff A freshly fitted-out gynaecology procedure room has opened within the women’s and children’s clinic at TUH, giving patients and staff a purpose-built, connected space. The new clinic space will be used for a range of procedures including hysteroscopies, Mirena insertion and removal, procedures for cervical abnormalities, and MVACs; outpatient procedures that previously had nowhere permanent to call home.

“After a lot of work from the team we’ve now got this lovely and connected space for our female patients.”

Lesley said the new space would would also help staff to feel more supported and connected to the rest of the women’s and children’s clinic. “There was disconnection caused by the previous space being located on a different level of the hospital to the rest of the clinic, so this will make a big difference for staff,” she said.

Lesley Brown said the team had worked to upgrade and convert the pre-existing antenatal day assessment space into the new room.

Lesley said the new clinic formed part of the Townsville HHS’s broader facility planning alongside the recent opening of the Kirwan Maternity Clinic.

“We knew that the space we had been using for these procedures was only on loan from the endoscopy suite and would eventually be needed back,” Lesley said.

“The space is beautiful and we’re hoping to get one of our decals from Kirwan up on the wall as well as the matching green cupboard detailing and artwork to tie together the Kirwan Maternity Clinic and our clinic here,” Lesley said.

“Before the upgrade, care was disjointed. “Now patients move through a clear, connected journey from check-in, to waiting room, consult and medication, change room, the new procedure room, then back to a recovery chair.

Townsville Hospital and Health Service

“Thanks must go to Alan Reilly and the BEMS team, and to nursing, midwifery and medical staff for their support and understanding during the transition.

“It’s exciting to see an initial concept come into reality within our own clinic footprint.”

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Back row: Lachlan Goodacre, Catherine Duffy, Michelle Kennedy, Kathy Wright, Lisa Jones, Sue Champion | Front row: Adam Stringini, Barbara Wilkinson

R U OK?Day puts mental health front of mind for THHS staff

Staff across Townsville Hospital and Health Service took time to check in with their colleagues as part of R U OK?Day on Thursday.

Teams across the health service marked the day with morning teas, team catch-ups and conversations, while members of the health, safety and wellbeing team visited work areas to chat with staff and hand out R U OK?Day goodies. This year’s theme ‘Ask R U OK? Any Day’ encouraged people to make checking in with those around them part of everyday life, rather than waiting for one particular day.

Catherine said staff should also remember support was available if they needed it themselves. Townsville HHS employees can access up to six free and confidential counselling sessions each calendar year through the Employee Assistance Program (EAP). The service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week through TELUS Health on 1800 604 640, with a dedicated Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Support Line also available on 1800 816 152.

Director health, safety and wellbeing Catherine Duffy said the day was an important reminder of the difference a simple conversation could make. “R U OK?Day gives us an opportunity to stop and think about the people around us and to start conversations that we might not otherwise have,” Catherine said.

Richmond Hospital staff

“But the most important message is that we can ask ‘are you OK?’ any day of the year. “You don’t need to be an expert or have all the answers. Sometimes taking the time to ask the question and genuinely listen can make a real difference.” Research from R U OK? shows nine in 10 people who have been asked “are you OK?” felt grateful, cared about and supported. Townsville Hospital and Health Service

Kirwan Health Campus staff

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Hong Kong nurses Tony Mok and Idy Lee with Dr Stephan Roehr

Hong Kong nurses dive into TUH’s worldclass hyperbaric care Two Hong Kong-based nurses have spent three days with the Townsville University Hospital’s hyperbaric medical team to learn more about the specialised health field. Tony Mok and Idy Lee are hyperbaric chamber nurses and operators at Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital and spent time in Townsville to understand the differences in using hyperbaric medicine and take those lessons back home. Hyperbaric medicine uses increased atmospheric pressure inside specialised chambers which helps the body absorb a higher amount of pure oxygen and is used for several conditions such as wound care and tissue healing, decompression sickness (the bends), severe infections, sudden sensorineural hearing loss, gas emboli, and more. Hyperbaric medicine director Dr Stephan Roehr said TUH has a world-class reputation for its hyperbaric medicine.

“We are one of only eight public hyperbaric medicine units in Australia and, because of our proximity to the Great Barrier Reef, we are one of the most experienced units in the world for treating divers,” Stephan said. Townsville Hospital and Health Service

“We have a unique set of skills which is recognised across the South Pacific and world and because of that we regularly have a cohort of international clinicians who will spend some time with us to learn about what we do and how we do it to take back to their own hospitals. “Having clinicians like Tony and Idy was also an opportunity for us to learn from them and develop important networks.” Idy Lee said they took a lot from their visit to Townsville. “There are many similarities in the operation but there are also a lot of differences in terms of the equipment and the systems around that,” Idy said. “In Hong Kong we don’t treat a lot of people for dive-related problems like decompression sickness so it has been really interesting to learn how Townsville does that.

“I have learnt a lot from my trip to Townsville and I am excited to take that back to Hong Kong.”

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Sally reflects with gratitude after remarkable 45-year career

After more than 45 years on the job, including 13 years at Townsville University Hospital (TUH), retiring allied health services division business services manager Sally Schaumburg has one message for the people she worked alongside: thank you. Having spent her career across both the private and public sectors, Sally described her time at TUH as the best years of her working life. “As a business services manager, I’ve seen how my personal contributions and the contributions from my teams have resulted in positive outcomes for TUH,” Sally said. Sally said one of the highlights of her time at TUH had been working alongside colleagues and clinicians and learning from their expertise.

Sally Schaumburg and her colleagues

“I will always be grateful for the knowledge that my colleagues and clinicians shared with me during my service to TUH,” she said. “It’s time for my next season, which will bring with it a slower pace, and I move into retirement with heartfelt thanks to everyone I have been privileged to work with at TUH.”

Health Kindy Kids patient service officer Amanda Bell is back for a third year raising funds for Liptember, in support of Women’s Mental Health Australia. Liptember encourages people to wear bright lippy during September to raise funds and awareness for the one in two Australian women experiencing mental health issues. Amanda said she greatly valued the work undertaken by Women’s Mental Health Australia. “I’ve learned to look on the bright side of life, after experiencing what dark thoughts can do to the body and mind,” Amanda said.

Amanda Bell

Lipstick with a Purpose

Townsville Hospital and Health Service

“Encountering devastating lows at various stages of my life means I understand the importance of creating better mental health outcomes for women like me and women we all know and love.” This year Amanda has also teamed up with local raffle platform ‘Tickets in a Hat’ so that a small commission from donations can flow on to support Triple Zero Heroes.

For more information on the 2026 campaign reach out to Amanda Bell or visit the Liptember website.

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Infection Prevention and Control Award Cheryl Spackman, Amanda Brown, and Amanda Clune

Spectacular surgical clinics wins in July The immaculate workspaces and diligence for ensuring sanitising stations were always stocked in the surgical outpatient clinics has caught the eyes of the infection prevention and control team for the month of July. Clinical nurse infection prevention and control Cheryl Spackman, who inspected the area during her ward rounds, described the area as “spectacular.” “Much of our focus is on the general environment of the area and making sure the infection prevention and control standards are being upheld,” Cheryl said. “The surgical outpatient clinics were always beautiful and clean, hand hygiene stations fully stocked, and personal protective equipment was all perfect; it was outstanding.

“It was clear to us that the team has gone the extra mile to make it look excellent.”

Surgical outpatient clinics nurse unit manager Amanda Brown said she was proud of her team who take pride in keeping their workspace clean. “Everyone is really conscious of keeping their spaces clean, especially with the high volume of patients that come through here every day,” Amanda said. “We’re running post-operation reviews for orthopaedics, general surgery, plastics, vascular; we’ve got up to nine specialties that run through our clinics. “I’ve just joined the team up here and I’m just amazed at how well everyone works together as a team. “This award just goes to show the importance of always working to a high standard because you don’t even realise there’s eyes out there watching.”

Dr Steven Donohue, JCU public health lecturer Hannah Mason, Dr Kate Murton

Meeting of the minds in public health Last week, academics and public health physicians from all over Queensland gathered in Townsville for the annual public health physician face-to-face meeting at Queensland Museum Tropics. Director Townsville Public Health Unit Dr Steven Donohue said the face-to-face meeting was a valuable opportunity for public health physicians to understand what the issues are in Townsville. “As public health specialists, we look at disease prevention, health promotion, and health issues concerning the whole population rather than individual patient care,” Steven said. “There’s a lot of research and interesting material that comes up throughout the year and this meeting is a chance to present some of the research and policy development that we’re working on. “This meeting gives our public health units the chance to get together, but we also had academics, people working in Indigenous health, communicable diseases, and the chief health officer joined us online too.”

Townsville Hospital and Health Service

One of the main objectives of the meeting was to understand and balance the different competing needs of each public health unit. “We do a lot of surveillance of diseases, interviewing people, chasing contacts, and providing information to the community,” he said. “We need to make sure that we’re focussing on the biggest issues and not on things that aren’t necessarily a priority; that changes over time. “There are many aspects of public health which are about more than just communicable diseases; we’re also concerned with climate change and disasters.” Steven also said it was a good chance to show off the best of the north. “It’s a good chance to catch up with colleagues from around the state and show them where we live,” he said.

“We’re certainly on the hunt for trainees and specialists in the coming years; this is our opportunity to show the best of Townsville.”

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y l k e We

Wrap

Weekly Wrap submissions are changing

From the Friday 18 September edition, all Weekly Wrap submissions must be made through our new online submission form. Submit here: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/mVrkN97ym1 For more information about the Weekly Wrap and the new submission process, visit the Weekly Wrap page on QHEPS: https://qheps.health.qld.gov.au/tville/media-communicationsengagement/internal-communications/internalcommunications-weekly-wrap

The new Kirwan Health Campus maternity and dental services facility

Kirwan health expansion officially opens The new $53 million expansion and redevelopment of the Kirwan Health Campus has officially opened. The modern, purpose-built facility has expanded maternity and oral health services for Townsville’s growing community. Townsville Hospital and Health Service’s acting chief executive Shellee Chapman said it was great to see the new space opened after two years of consultation, planning, and construction. “The new maternity clinic brings a range of services together in one place, with 15 consultation rooms, dedicated ultrasound and procedure rooms, and onsite pathology,” Shellee said. “The clinic will support more than 21,000 outpatient appointments each year, making it easier for women and families to access care during pregnancy and after their babies are born. “For oral health, the expansion increases capacity from eight to 11 dental chairs, with individual treatment rooms and new diagnostic imaging and digital dentistry technology making dental care more convenient for patients. “This is about delivering more healthcare in the community and making it simpler for people to get the services they need, closer to where they live. “For women and families, this means fewer trips between different facilities, less time navigating the health system and a simpler, more seamless experience throughout pregnancy and after their babies are born.” Townsville Hospital and Health Service

Townsville mum Jemma Hall used the maternity service at Kirwan for her 10-week-old son Kaelan, and she said the new building makes going to appointments much easier for her and her family. “The space has been purpose designed, and you can see that through things like the kids play spaces,” Jemma said. “As a parent, it makes it much easier to come to the appointment when the kids have somewhere they can play and have some fun. “Meanwhile the clinical spaces are much more inviting, warm, and friendly and it feel much calmer and reassuring.”

Clinical director of oral health Dr Joel Abraham said it was nice to have a facility that felt like home for the patient and the staff. “Going to the dentist can be an anxiety-inducing experience for some people, so having a facility that is comfortable goes a long way to reducing that anxiety,” Joel said.

“The new facility is modern and equipped with new technology, meaning our clinical staff can provide more care during a single visit and reduce the need for patients to return for additional appointments.” “Patients who have seen the new space have told us how fresh and welcoming it feels, which is really nice to hear.”

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To the entire nursing team, thank you for taking exceptional care of my family member during his stay. Knowing he was in such capable and compassionate hands give our family total peace of mind. We are deeply grateful for everything that you do. CARDIAC WARD

As a family, we just want to thank everyone from the bottom of our hearts. Although the outcome wasn’t what we wanted. We cannot fault one person in that hospital. The love, care and respect you all showed our husband, father, grandfather and friend was incredible. The effort that was put into his care and finding out what was causing his health issues. Was second to none. We can’t thank you all enough. TUH

I had massive tooth problems. I was taken in and sorted out in good time, very grateful for the care.

PHYSIOTHERAPY

A Brighter Note...

Stephanie Naunton and Brady Ellis

KX Pilates to raise funds for Brighter Lives this September Kicking off Monday 14 September KX Pilates is launching their KX Pilates Brighter September, fundraising for Brighter Lives. KX Pilates Townsville Owners Brady and Lily Ellis have been longtime supporters of Brighter Lives, with Brady being involved in the foundation’s first ever giving day back in 2020.

“Their support over the years has been amazing, the funds donated from KX Pilates have helped so many healthcare projects throughout north Queensland,” Stephanie said. “KX Pilates is a local business proudly supporting a local charity and we are beyond grateful for their continued support.

“Every cent from the sale of our $60 5-class packages this month will be donated to Brighter Lives,” Brady said.

“The KX Pilates Brighter September will give people the chanceto try out a local KX Pilates studio whilst supporting a local charity.”

“KX Pilates will have this offer available at both our studios at Idalia and Kirwan.

The $60 5-session packages can be purchased online through the KX Pilates app or website.

“We know the good work that Brighter Lives does in our community, and we are really excited to be able to support them again.” Brighter Lives CEO Stephanie Naunton said the charity was grateful for the support of the Ellis family and KX Pilates.

Funds raised from KX Pilates Brighter September will go towards helping the foundation fund equipment, projects and research that impact local patients in Townsville Hospital and Health Service.

Recipe of the blah

Classic cheeseburgers Ingredients 600g Beef Mince 1 tbsp Hamburger Seasoning 2 tbsp Tomato Sauce 1 tbsp olive oil 20g butter 1 brown onion, sliced into rings

6 Hamburger Rolls, split, toasted 2 tbsp American Mustard 3 slices cheddar, halved diagonally 12 slices beetroot 3 dill pickles, thinly sliced 1/3 cup (80ml) Tomato Relish

Method 1. Combine mince, Hamburger Seasoning and Tomato Sauce in a bowl. Divide and shape the mixture into six 10cm-wide, 1.5cm-thick patties. 2. Heat the oil in a large frying pan over mediumhigh heat. Cook the patties for 3-4 mins each side or until cooked through.

Laugh of the blah

3. Meanwhile, melt the butter in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Cook the onion, stirring, for 5 mins or until golden. 4. Place roll bases on a serving platter. Place onion on bases and spoon American Mustard over onion. Top with the patties, cheddar, beetroot and pickles. Spread roll tops with Tomato Relish and place on top to serve.

Townsville Hospital and Health Service

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Classifieds FOR SALE

FOR RENT

VINCENT – 3-bedroom 1 bath home. Highset fully fenced, new fans and split aircon, newly painted inside and out. Low maintenance large yard. Owner occupier neighbours in quite street. 10 minutes to Townsville University Hospital. Looking at offers over $599k contact Naomi 0400751848.

We have been successfully renting to TUH GP’s and specialists for over a decade. We are locals. We have two units in North Ward coming up for rent. They are private rentals. Furniture, Lease length, weekly rent, and duration can all be negotiated. Call to dicuss 040 40 40 555.

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Unit 1 - Fully furnished with incredible ocean views. On a hill. Key to resort style living including pool, gym. Near Coles and Gregory street. Small block of five units. Available towards the end of the year. Unit 2 - Opposite Strand, hidden gem in a small block of units. Elevated with front lawn and views across the bay to Magnetic Island. Available in the coming weeks. NORTH WARD- Unit for rent. 2 bedroom1 bath 2 beds TV Washing Machine Dishwasher Dryer Microwave Air fryer Coffee machine. Views of Maggie Ardo Ocean. On Cleveland Terrace close to shops, cafes, Mall Strand. Everything you’ll need! $650/week Phone 0400677718 Email jmartinezdt89@gmail.com Room for rent only 8 minutes from TUH. Fully furnished with own bathroom. Share with female and small dog. Suit short term contracts and international students or visitors. $300pw incl WiFi. Call Katia 0498000276 or email katiacharlebois@gmail.com

Email classifieds to tsv-public-affairs@health.qld.gov.au with subject ‘Classifieds’. Do not send classifieds as attachments. Photos will not be included. Submissions for classifieds should be no longer than 50 word in a plain-text email. Classifieds longer than this will not be included. Classifieds will stay current for two issues of the blah. If you would like your ad to be continued after this time please resend the ad. We do not advertise services in the blah.

Townsville Hospital and Health Service

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