Issuu

December 19 2025

SPECIAL

D I T E I O S N A M T S CHRI

HHS wrapped up in Christmas spirit Page 3 PAGE 4 - 16 Christmas decoration gallery

PAGE 20 Round of a-paws for OPCS team

Conversations with Kieran Dear colleagues

This is my last blah message for 2025 and traditionally this message focuses on the year that was, the joy of the season, and a reflection on our many blessings. This year, our national mood is sombre as we all still grapple with the unspeakably evil actions of two gunmen at Bondi Beach on December 14. That this senseless taking of life happened on the first day of Hannukah, the Jewish festival of light, is particularly hard to bear. The best thing we can do, while we remember those who were lost and pray for those still fighting for life, is to keep that light burning brightly and not let this be a cause for division in our great country. This year has been challenging on many fronts. The severe monsoon of early 2025 was particularly challenging for our health service, especially our team in Ingham. While for most of us life is back to its usual rhythm, we should not forget that isn’t the case for everyone in Ingham yet. We have been wrestling with greater challenges than ever before when it comes to our patients accessing care which, although a national phenomenon, is concerning for us locally. On the infrastructure front we had to scramble with the pausing of the TUH expansion and rapidly refresh our clinical service plan and master plan, which is a lot easier to type than do! However, in a nice bookend to the year, it was good this week to announce the outcome of that work. For all the challenges, I count many more causes for celebration. The Clinical Services Upgrade was completed at TUH and included a new diabetes and endocrine patients’ unit and the refurbished North Queensland Persistent Pain Management Service. We welcomed the Governor of Queensland to open the North Queensland Kidney Transplant Service, we expanded surgical services to our rural sites, and continued to advance robotic surgery in partnership with Mater Townsville. We celebrated excellence at our annual staff awards and recognised those staff who celebrated milestone years of service at our length-of-service awards. And while I always enjoy these wonderful occasions (perhaps not so much when the Minister calls out my MCing mistakes!), I am so grateful for each staff member who comes to work and digs in every shift, every day for their patients, consumers, and families.

Townsville Hospital and Health Service

These past few weeks have seen some wonderful efforts in celebrating the Christmas spirit and brightening our hospitals and health facilities right across the patch. Judging the annual Christmas decorating competition is getting more difficult each year which is a very good problem to have. The amount of detail that goes into the decorations is just amazing, with the themes being carried through the largest to smallest of detail. There is a slightly disconcerting trend of positioning my image on all sorts of decorations, including gumnut babies and some type of awkward throne! It’s also wonderful to see many units getting consumers or patients involved in the decorating. And I can’t forget that the great debate ‘is Die Hard a Christmas movie?’ was settled in the affirmative, thanks safety, education, risk and quality unit (SERQU) team. This year, I will be celebrating Christmas with my family which I consider myself fortunate to do. With two of my adult children having moved out this year, it will be a slightly different start to the day but special nonetheless. I’ve made the plum pudding (my paternal grandmother’s recipe) but I still have plenty of prep work ahead of the big day. I’ve bought myself a new homebrew toy (a nitrogen regulator) so I’m looking forward to a few stouts on nitro, but most of all I’m looking forward to just enjoying time with those I love. To all of you, please enjoy special time with family, friends and loved ones, take time to recharge, and enjoy the cricket, Sydney to Hobart, Carols in the Domain, time on our beach, some DIY projects, or whatever is your pleasure. Thank you to those of you working over the Christmas period for taking time away from your families to keep our community healthy and safe. My best wishes to all of you for a Merry Christmas, a happy festive season, and a very happy New Year. kk

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Neonatal unit wins TUH prize

HHS wrapped up in Christmas spirit Staff across the health service have once again raised the bar transforming wards, units, and work areas into festive wonderlands, with almost 70 entries received in this year’s Christmas Decoration Competition.

The Townsville-based sites category (excluding TUH) was won by the SERQU at the Cambridge Street campus, who brought to life a collection of muchloved Christmas movies through an interactive walk-through trivia experience.

Choosing the winners was no easy task for the judging panel, made up of chief executive Kieran Keyes and Brighter Lives CEO Stephanie Naunton, with creativity, teamwork, and festive spirit on display across the organisation.

Seventeen films were represented, including Elf, The Grinch, Love Actually and, of course, Die Hard.

Taking out the Townsville University Hospital category was the neonatal unit with its impressive neonatal bush Christmas theme. “From winter wonderlands and Christmas movie themes to Candy Cane Lane, traditional and Aussiethemed displays complete with cheeky elves and clever medical-inspired touches, the imagination on show was extraordinary,” Kieran said. “From the moment you step into the unit, you’re greeted by colour and creativity at every turn,” Stephanie said. The display features dozens of handcrafted flowers, leaves and greenery, including a handmade tree with gumnut babies reflecting the real-life babies cared for in the unit.

Townsville Hospital and Health Service

In the rural category, Pandanus at Eventide Residential Aged Care Facility claimed the top prize with a delightful candy-themed display. Two Encouragement Awards were also presented to paediatric occupational therapy and the travel office at TUH. The judges also gave special mention to several standout entries, including child and youth mental health at Kirwan, speech pathology and occupational therapy, North Queensland Persistent Pain Management Service, cardiac investigations, child protection, theatres and secure mental health. All winners received the inaugural Townsville HHS Christmas Decoration Competition trophy, designed by HHS graphic designer Rebekah Schalcher, and a $250 voucher for their work area thanks to the generous support of Brighter Lives. Check out the highlights from the competition on pages 4 to 17. blah blah blah Page 3

Winter wonderlands, Australian outback, Grinchmas, and more were showcased in the 2025 Christmas Decoration Competition. HSCE Kieran Keyes was joined by Brighter Lives CEO Stephanie Naunton for the judging. Townsville University Hospital WINNER - NEONATAL UNIT

Rural WINNER - EVENTIDE PANDANUS WARD

Townsville-based facilities

Townsville HHS Encouragment Award WINNER - PAEDIATRIC OT

Townsville HHS Encouragement Award

WINNER - SERQU

WINNER - TRAVEL OFFICE

Now, kick back and enjoy a look at the entries from across the health service!

Kirwan Health Campus - waiting area

Child and youth mental health

Townsville Hospital and Health Service

Child and youth mental health

Child development services

Evolve therapeutic services

AIUDS

SERQU

Cambridge Street admin

ATODS Vincent

NQ distribution centre

North Ward renal

ATODS North Ward

Patient safety

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Patient correspondence hub

Organisational development

Neonatal unit

TUH occupational therapy

CCON office

Maternity ward

Townsville Hospital and Health Service

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TUH operating theatres

Cardiac centre

Surgical ward 1

Medical ward 1

Speech pathology

Discharge cleaning trolley

Medical education and workforce services

Data quality unit

Respiratory and sleep unit

Child protection unit

Medical service group executive office

Cardiac investigations unit

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North Queensland persistent pain management service

Cardiac catheter lab

Cardiac centre

DABIT, consultation liaison psychiatry unit

Frailty intervention team

Medical ward 4

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Medical ward 5

Medical imaging stores

Women and children’s physiotherapy gym

Paediatric occupational therapy office

Children’s ward

Palliative care kitchen

Townsville Hospital and Health Service

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Palliative care reception

Women’s and children’s executive office

Patient travel office

Cancer centre radiation nurses’ station

Pathology Queensland transfusion department

Emergency department short-stay

Adult acute mental health

Townsville rehabilitiation unit

Charters Towers Health Service

Secure mental health rehabilitation unit

Kieran Keyes and Stephanie Naunton at adult acute mental health

Charters Towers Health Service

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Charters Towers Health Service

Home Hill Health Service

Magnetic Island Health Service

Eventide Residential Aged Care Facility - Pandanus Ward

Eventide Residential Aged Care Facility - Warratah Ward

Richmond Multipurpose Health Service

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What did Elfie get up to at Townsville University Hospital?

Back: Megan Murphy and Sabina King Front: Shane Smiler, Rubyanne Djindata, and Leilani Smiler

Townsville University Hospital’s mercy dash saves preterm baby as cyclone lashes Darwin A mum in premature labour on a remote island in the Arafura Sea, a cyclone bearing down, and flights grounded. This was the situation Rubyanne Djindata and local medical teams found themselves in last month when Rubyanne went into premature labour in Milingimbi, an island in the Arafura Sea off Arnhem Land, as Tropical Cyclone Fina lashed Darwin. Enter neonatologists Professor Yoga Kandasamy and Dr Kirsty Devine, and the Advanced Neonatal Transport Service North Queensland (ANTS-NQ). Yoga was on call and was the first doctor to receive the call about Ms Djindata. “I had a call via RSQ from Dr Mathew Wong from Royal Darwin Hospital who told me there was a woman in preterm labour in Gove,” he said. “Normally there would be a transfer to Darwin or Adelaide but the flight time to Townsville was shorter and Dr Wong had worked in Townsville and knew our neonatal unit well,” he said. “I was happy to arrange the retrieval; long-distance retrievals from remote and rural locations can be very unpredictable so it was important to send a highly experienced team.” Townsville Hospital and Health Service

When Ms Djindata started experiencing the early signs of labour, she and her partner Shane Smiler, who live on Bodiya Outstation on Milingimbi Island, the largest of the Crocodile Islands group off the coast of Arnhem Land, went straight to the local clinic. “I knew going into labour at 30 weeks was early so we drove straight to the clinic at Milingimbi,” Ms Djindata said. The couple waited there for the plane from Gove to connect with the Lifeflight jet to Townsville. Baby Leilani was born the next day weighing 2.5 kg. Clinical nurse Sabina King, who was part of the LifeFlight retrieval crew who brought the family to TUH, said the team was ‘relieved and delighted’ when the baby was born safe and well. “When we arrived in Gove, we were expecting to see a baby but Rubyanne hadn’t progressed as much as we had anticipated,” she said. Also on the flight was NT rural generalist Dr Jean Norris. “I met the couple on the tarmac at Gove; it had been decided that a doctor needed to be on the flight if Rubyanne delivered on the plane,” she said. blah blah blah Page 20

“I jumped at the opportunity because it’s not every day that you get flown to the east coast in a jet with 20 minutes’ notice.

“The last time I was in Townsville I was 19 and on a road trip; I didn’t think my next visit would be in these circumstances. “It was a privilege to be involved in such a successful evacuation and I was even more honoured to be able to meet baby Leilani when she was born.” ANTS-NQ clinical lead and neonatologist Dr Kirsty Devine said she was ‘immensely proud’ of the retrieval service.

Royal Darwin Hospital neonatologist Dr Mathew Wong said cases of preterm labour in remote and regional areas were among the most complex retrieval cases the hospital encountered.

“I’m incredibly thankful to Townsville for the care and assistance provided to this family,” he said. The family has now transferred back to the NT where baby Leilani will be in the care of the Royal Darwin neonatal unit and Dr Wong until she goes home in the next couple of weeks.

“ANTS retrieves babies from across Queensland, but cross-border retrievals are rare for us; I had to look Gove up on the map,” she said. “We were delighted to be able to help the family, Dr Wong, and Royal Darwin Hospital in their time of need. “We know what cyclones can do and this is why we have a retrieval service that can provide a drop-of-ahat evacuation when it’s needed.” Leilani Smiler

Clinical nurse Sabina King and neonatal nurse practitioner Megan Murphy

Townsville Hospital and Health Service

Staff from Kirwan Health Campus with Angel Paws ambassador catahoula cross Kylie

Round of a-paws for OPCS team What started as an idea to forgo one team’s annual Secret Santa turned into a campuswide donation effort from the Kirwan Health Campus, much to the delight of local animal rescue Angel Paws and their furry ambassador catahoula cross Kylie. Judy Atkinson, home care coordinator from the older person community services (OPCS) team, said the idea snowballed very quickly. “We normally do a Secret Santa amongst our team but this year we decided it would be a nice gesture to do something for a charity,” Judy said. “It came down to three charities which the OPCS team voted on, Angel Paws was the winner, then we thought we’d put the word out to the rest of the campus. “We started off with one little black tub of goodies and we’re very proud to say we’ve got a couple of thousand dollars’ worth of pet food, treats, and toys to handover to the Angel Paws team.”

Townsville Hospital and Health Service

Angel Paws volunteer and foster carer Marianne Joseph said the donations were so valuable to the organisation. “Donations like this help us continue to rescue and look after, feed, and hopefully rehome cats, dogs, puppies, and kittens that come into our care,” Marianne said. “Unfortunately, around and after Christmas, we do see a lot of surrendered animals and unfortunately a lot are dumped.

“When we take them into care, our hope is not too have them for too long before they’re adopted but donations like this are a great help to keep them fed and comfortable until they find a forever home.”

Jane Logan

Christmas event honours never-to-be forgetten loved ones The Townsville Palliative Care Centre’s spiritual garden became a sanctuary of peace and remembrance as families gathered for the annual Christmas Remembrance Event. The evening offered a space for loved ones to share thoughts, feelings, and memories of those who had passed in the centre’s care. Bereavement coordinator Jane Logan said it was a beautiful evening that allowed families to come together and honour their loved ones.

“Grief is universal, and events like this help people feel less alone,” Jane said. “The night began with a moving smoking ceremony led by Trevor Prior, followed by heartfelt words, music, and poetry by the health service and Queensland Palliative Care representatives. “Adding a personal touch, volunteer Nicolette Manciagli generously donated handmade pocket angels gifted to each attendee as a symbol of comfort and care.”

“There is immense value in providing spaces where people can share their grief with others who understand,” Jane said. “A special part of the event is when attendees are welcomed and encouraged to share memories and stories about their loved ones with the group. “The centre plans to host remembrance events twice a year and we will launch a six-week bereavement support group beginning in late January 2026. “This group is open to those who have lost a loved one to a life-limiting illness or chronic disease and who were known to palliative care.” For more information or to register for the bereavement support group, please contact Jane Logan at jane.logan@health.qld.gov.au or call 4433 7423.

Jane said bereavement care was not just important, but essential. Townsville Hospital and Health Service

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Maree Tate

Medical typist Maree’s milestone moment Over the years, as doctors have come and gone from the Townsville Hospital and Health Service, most would have utilised the services of a medical typist and there’s a high chance it was Maree Tate, who celebrated 45 years of service this year. Beginning her career as a ward clerk, Maree said her first experience of medical transcription was during her time with the medical imaging department. “I was there for about 16 years, then I went to the private practice clinic in the old hospital, to cardiology, and medical typing has always been part of every role I’ve had,” Maree said. “It is a specialised skillset in a way; at one stage they couldn’t get medical typists as there was a shortage in the community.” “These days, especially, it’s easier with the electronic system. You don’t have to hold the whole chart from a clinic that a doctor has dictated; it’s a lot cleaner and streamlined.” Maree said there had always been challenges with the role wither it was learning new medical terms and practices on the fly or finding yourself suddenly affected by a patient’s story or condition. Townsville Hospital and Health Service

“We’re not medical in any way, shape or form, but with experience you’re able to work things out, and to satisfy your curiosity, you might have to dig a little deeper into the meaning of things so you can give it some context,” she said. “Usually you’re just typing but sometimes as you soak it in a little bit more because of your own personal experience, it can get heavy.

“I’m fortunate that my team leaders are really good and understanding if you need to take a moment for yourself.” While medical transcription has changed over the years, Maree said that as artificial intelligence technologies were developed, the way medical typists would be utilised would also change. “AI has its place and purpose, but there’s always going to be a person behind that, even if the role as we know it ceases to exist,” she said. “I don’t know if we’ll completely disappear, but the job will change to suit the environment, and you’ve just got to go with it.”

Seanne O’Shea

Seanne celebrates a decade of delivering dignity to patients While most people will be unwrapping presents in the next few days, a Burdekinbased nurse will be celebrating a milestone of helping patients keep one of the greatest gifts of all - their dignity.

Seanne O’Shea is one of the friendly face at the Home Hill Health Service and works with patients who have dementia or are going through palliative care. This month, the born-and-bred Burdekin local will officially celebrate 10 years of working in health care. Seanne said that while her job could be very demanding, her core focus had always been on recognising people as more than a patient. “What I love about my job is the chance to really help people and to protect their dignity as they go through dementia and palliation,” Seanne said. “My day to day could be anything from wound care and assisting with telehealth consultations through to psychogeriatric and dementia nursing. “Despite the variety of roles, my most important job has always been about providing comfort and caring about our patients as a person offering that holistic care for their emotional needs as well as their physical needs.” Townsville Hospital and Health Service

Seanne said the work could be very emotionally demanding, particularly within palliative care, and she wouldn’t be able to get through it without the support of colleagues. “It’s a unique culture at the Home Hill facility; we are a very tight-knit family who lean on each other because we do go through quite a lot,” she said.

“Every nurse here has the patient’s best interest at heart, and we have very high standards for ourselves and our level of care.” While the work was demanding, Seanne said there was a sense of belonging in the Burdekin that was unique. “You get to know people in the community, they get to know you, and you make friends for life,” she said. “It is a great place for children growing up... everyone knows you, and that sense of family is strong.” “The community also gets behind us and is always willing to support the hospital through fundraising for palliative care and patient comfort initiatives. “It is just a great place to live and work.”

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Trevor Prior and Erin Greig

New start for new starter program The Townsville Hospital and Health Service has refreshed the Health Service Orientation and Workplace Induction Framework to foster a deeper sense of belonging among new staff. Launching on 6 January 2026, the updated framework has been designed to ensure every new starter receives a consistent, values-driven introduction to the organisation. Organisational development consultant Erin Greig said the initiative was driven by the need to connect with a changing workforce and improve retention, particularly among younger generations. “We recognised the need to review how we orientate and induct our new colleagues, particularly as we see more Millennials and Gen Z staff entering our workforce,” Erin said. “What drives these generations is a sense of purpose and belonging; they want to know they are contributing to the bigger picture.” “We are revamping how we welcome them to make it engaging, setting clear expectations around our values, and embedding the importance of the work we do for patient outcomes immediately.” Part of the new framework is the inclusion of the mandatory face-to-face Cultural Practice Program within the orientation schedule.

Cultural practice coordinator Trevor Prior said moving the training to the very start of the employee journey was a strategic decision to ensure staff understood cultural safety before they reached the clinical floor. “With nursing staff making up 51 per cent of our workforce, it can be difficult to release them from the floor for training once they have started their roles,” Trevor said. “By capturing them on day one, we can provide that essential culturally safe foundation work immediately.

“With almost 30 per cent of our consumers identifying as First Nations people, it is vital to have that cultural understanding and know who to contact for support from the beginning.” Erin said the changes also extended to the local level, with a new 30, 60, and 90-day induction format designed to support line managers. “We are moving away from a tick-box approach to a more intentional induction focused on clarity, support, and confidence-building,” she said. “We will be holding briefing sessions with managers in the lead up to the changes next year. More information and list of drop-in sessions is available on QHEPS.”

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Look after your mental health this festive season The festive season can be joyful, but also overwhelming. Click the link to hear from Townsville University Hospital psychologists Monique Du’can, Jacqueline Hodgson, and Shannon Sloane as they share practical tips on planning ahead, finding time to relax, and remembering not to take things too seriously this holiday period. Christmas is about connection, not perfection, let’s look after our mental health together. Monique Du’can

Staff and patients at Townsvlle University Hospital have once again been wowed by mailroom administration officer Colin Paine’s mailcart as he unveiled his 2025 Christmas theme. Colin said he had been very busy in the lead up to the festive season “With letters to the North Pole heading out and presents for patients and staff coming in, I’m glad my sleigh was finished in time to help me spread the magic,” Colin said. “This year’s build wasn’t without some hiccups and I enlisted the help of my crafty wife to assist with details and design. Colin Paine

Trolley the season to be jolly Townsville Hospital and Health Service

“We found out quickly that when using a hot iron to transfer glitter paper onto plastic that it’s very delicate but we didn’t need to call the fire brigade!” Colin decks out his mail trolley for Christmas every year, as well as other holidays and special occasions like Halloween and Easter. blah blah blah Page 27

A Brighter Note...

Tilliarna, 5, Alf Jones, and Kathryn Purt

Alf’s handcrafted gift to the children’s ward A beautifully handcrafted rocking horse has found a new home in the children’s ward, thanks to the generosity and skill of local craftsman Alf Jones. At 84 years old, Alf spent five months painstakingly creating the rocking horse entirely by hand. Every detail reflects his remarkable craftsmanship. A former marine engineer in the Merchant Navy, Alf moved to Australia in 1965, arriving on a Friday night and having a job by Monday morning. Completing formal studies as a mechanical engineer, Alf worked in Australia, working his way to becoming the international marketing manager for an engineering company, travelling to more than 30 countries as part of his role. After calling Australia home for so many years, he says this donation is his way of giving back to a country that has given him so much.

Townsville Hospital and Health Service

“I made it because I could,” Alf said. “Australia has been good to me and I like to give things back and have the ability to do it.” With a special delivery made to the hospital just in time for Christmas, the rocking horse is already bringing smiles to the children and their families, offering a much-needed distraction during what can be a challenging time. Brighter Lives CEO Stephanie Naunton said the donation was a powerful example of how one person’s generosity could have a lasting impact. “We are incredibly grateful to Alf and Eileen for this beautiful gift,” Stephanie said. “Alf’s generosity will bring joy to countless children and families, and we thank him sincerely for sharing his time, talent and heart with our hospital.” “For the children who spend time playing on it, it is a source of comfort thanks to Alf, handmade with love and given with gratitude.”

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Thank you to all our loyal blah readers for your support throughout the year. Thanks also for your great story tips and ideas; keep them coming in 2026! And a huge thank you to our clinical photographer Ian Hitchcock who takes all the great photos you see in the blah and to our graphic designer Rebekah Schalcher who does all the wonderful design work in our special editions. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

Recipe of the blah

Chocolate rum balls Ingredients • • • • • • •

250 grams vanilla wafers cookies or plain chocolate cookies 400 grams sweetened condensed milk 3 tablespoons rum (optional) dark or spiced 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder ½ cup desiccated coconut or finely shredded 1 pinch salt

Method 1. Set up a work station with a large ziplock bag and rolling pin (or a food processor); a large bowl for mixing; and a shallow bowl with 3/4 cup of coconut for rolling in. 2. Place the cookies in ziplock bag, seal and crush with the rolling pin. Alternatively, crush in the food processor until fine crumbs form. It’s ok if there are some slightly larger pieces.

Laugh of the blah

3. Add the crushed cookies, coconut, cocoa powder, condensed milk, rum and vanilla to the large bowl. Mix the ingredients well using a wooden spoon, then your hands once it gets too thick. (If mixture is too thick, mix in 1-2 tablespoons milk). 4. Scoop out a tablespoonful of mixture and roll into a 1 – 1 ½ inch ball, then roll in coconut until completely covered. Place on a baking sheet or tray and repeat until all the mixture has been rolled into balls. 5. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Townsville Hospital and Health Service

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“The Gynaecology team were so amazing in their treatment. I felt so blessed to be in their care.” GYNAECOLOGY

“The staff member looked after my family very well. My mother is always very anxious when she has to go to the hospital and the staff made sure my mother was being cared for until I could get there. I really appreciated her help.” INDIGENOUS HOSPITAL LIAISON SERVICE

“I cannot speak highly enough about the care my husband and I (carer) received from Kirwan – OPMHS – attentive when things weren’t going well – thank you.” OLDER PERSONS MENTAL HEALTH SERVICE

Classifieds FOR SALE

FOR RENT

Scrubs: Medium size in good condition with Queensland Government embroidered on left side. Contact Sonya - Pharmacy deparment. Phone 30478. $40 each set.

Room with shared bathroom, share with another girl on 3/2/26 in Douglas. Five minute drive to hospital. $225 per week, including all bills. If interested please call or message Vinod Baby on 0403206243 (2/12)

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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