Latest notices
Health Safety and Wellbeing - January Safety Focus
Attached are the Safety Focus for February 2026.
We are now publishing two editions each month, allowing us to cover all safety classifications in Riskman and introducing new topics for emerging risks, particularly those linked to upcoming construction activities.
The focus topics for this month are:
• Psychosocial Hazards – identifying, acknowledging and reporting
• Biological Exposures – there has been a significant increase in reported incidents during this period.
Please print and display this notice on your safety board.
Stay alert, Stay safe!
The Post Critical Workplace Incident Staff Support procedure describes the process for supporting staff following a critical workplace incident that may occur in any work unit across the Townsville Hospital and Health Service (THHS).
This training will provide you with an understanding of the Post Critical Workplace Incident Staff Support procedure. On completion of Post Critical Workplace Incident Staff Support course on Learning Online (LOL), line managers will have an:
• Understanding of what a critical incident is
• Understand the escalation process post critical incident
• Understand and identify cultural safety considerations
• Understand the ISTART debriefing framework
• Understand how to follow up and monitor staff wellbeing
To commence the training please click the following link: https://thhslol.nth.health.qld.gov.au/course/ view.php?id=3364
Target audience: Line Managers
Duration: 20-30 minutes
Frequency: Once only
Delivery mode: Online
NEW! Support Indigenous health and education with the new limited-edition medical scrubs, created by the JT Academy and Mediscrubs. Featuring original Indigenous artwork by Wayne Martin, all profits go to the JT Academy and Brighter Lives. Every scrub top and pair of pants sold helps fund education pathways for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people and programs improving Indigenous health outcomes across North Queensland.
New Johnathan Thurston scrubs available
Available now for $59.95 per piece through the Brighter Lives gift shop at Townsville University Hospital or online www.brighterlives.org.au/shop
Sample sizes are available to try on at the gift shop.
Valentine’s Day – gifts at the Gift Shop
Buy a gift for Valentine’s Day from the Brighter Lives gift shop and help support Brighter Lives. 100% of profits support Brighter Lives and help here at THHS.
Guess the Lolly Competition
Can you guess how many jellybeans in the jar? Only $2 a guess and the winner goes home with the whole jar of jellybeans – that’s more than 3kg of jelly beans!
Come and have a look in person at the gift shop or visit online for a photo of the jellybean jar.
$2 per guess, with all proceeds supporting Brighter Lives.
Enter online or in person at the gift shop: https://pci.jotform.com/form/260417718028053
Nominations for the 2026 Staff Excellence Awards are now open!
Do you know a colleague or team exemplifying the Townsville Hospital and Health Service values, vision, and purpose?
Recognise their contribution to healthcare in our region by nominating them in one of the awards categories of Integrity, Compassion, Accountability, Respect, Engagement, Vision, Purpose, Excellence in Staff Wellbeing or Rural Health Worker of the Year.
Please submit your nomination by 5pm Friday 27th February 2026.
For more information, please contact Public Affairs at tsv-public-affairs@health.qld.gov.au
Training, Education & Research
Organisational Development
For further information, please contact Organisation Development: THHS-Learning@ health.qld.gov.au
Understanding Intergenerational Teams
In today’s workplace, five generations work side by side - each shaped by different life experiences, values and expectations. At THHS, Gen Z and Millennials make up more than half of our workforce, bringing new perspectives, skills and ways of working.
Program objectives:
• Understand the key traits, values and motivators of different generations, especially Gen Z and Millennials.
• Recognise and challenge assumptions or biases that can impact inter-generational teamwork.
• Apply practical communication and engagement strategies to work more effectively across generations.
• Reflect and commit to one small action that strengthens inter-generational relationships at THHS.
Click to register now
Build Your Leadership Workshop
The Build Your Leadership Workshop provides participants with the next step on from ‘Ignite Your Leadership’ and builds people and team leadership skills.
Program Objectives:
• Examine the mindset shift from Leader of Self to Leader of Others
• Learn and evidence-based framework to develop flexible leadership and when to use each style
• Learn and evidence-based framework to lead a team, create a positive workplace culture and build performance
Click to register now
Essential Communication Skills For the Workplace
This programme is designed to provide staff with tools, strategies and techniques to assist in achieving effective two-way communications and positive relationship development. It encompasses the following four (4) x 4-hour modules:
• Communication Foundational Skills
• Giving and Receiving Feedback
• Foundational Skills for Negotiating
• Dealing with Difficult Conversations
It is recommended the modules are undertaken in order, with Communication Foundational Skills prerequisite to all other modules.
Click to register now
Positive Performance Management – Developing People Management Skills
This program will equip line managers with tools, processes and frameworks to demonstrate good, day-to-day people performance management within the requirements of the Public Service Commission Directive 02/24 (Positive Performance Management) and HR Policy G9 to develop a good workplace culture.
Click to register now
Caring Together – Interprofessional Teaming
Focus on the benefit of interprofessional collaboration and the impact effective teaming has on the health outcomes of patients, staff wellbeing, and the sustainability of the health system, Caring Together –Interprofessional Teaming explores the barriers and enablers of effective collaboration and creation of an actionable plan to improve interprofessional collaboration in your workplace.
This 1 day programme enhances participants understanding of what it means to be a part of an interprofessional team and the value of interprofessional collaboration, recognises the importance of teaming in healthcare settings, explores the challenges and barriers to successful collaboration and identifies opportunities for improved interprofessional collaboration.
Click to register now
This programme delivered in collaboration with the Centre for Leadership Excellence, health Workforce.
Centre for Leadership Excellence (CLE) Statewide Capability Development Program
The Centre for Leadership Excellence’s Statewide programs are available to all Hospital and Health Service employees including emerging, aspiring and experienced leaders and managers in Queensland Health. Statewide programs are offered as facilitated programs delivered virtually, offering formalised training opportunities to develop leadership skills, capability and enhance career pathways.
• Business Partnering
• Conversations That Make a Difference
• Effective Writing Skills
• Essential Coaching Skills
• Manage4Improvement
• Maximising Stakeholder Relationships
• Step Up Leadership Program
• Take the Lead
• Wellbeing & Resilience
• Wellbeing Leadership
• Workload, Email and Meeting Management
Click to register now Programs include:
Critical Care Advanced Airway Course
Registration is now open for the CICO Workshop – 20th March 2026
The course is limited to 12 participants: 6 medical and 6 nursing.
Outline:
Using a combination of interactive lectures, skills stations and simulation-based learning, participants will develop and practise the skills, knowledge and attitudes required to recognise and manage a CICO crisis.
Duration: 5 hours (0800 to 1300 hours)
Location: Clinical Simulation Centre, Plant Level Acute Block, TUH.
Registration & enquiries: ICU Secretariat; ICU, North Block, Townsville University Hospital.
Phone: (07) 4433 7997
Email: ICU-ESO@health.qld.gov.au
Formally recognised for CPD by: CICM (SHLR), ANZCA, FACEM CICM Trainee Course Accreditation – CICO ICU Workshop/Advanced Airway Skills
The ATODS Workshop is a comprehensive two-day, face-to-face training program designed to enhance clinicians’ understanding of psychoactive substances, their impact on individuals’ health and well-being, and the critical skills healthcare professionals need to provide effective care for individuals navigating substance-related challenges.
Policies and Procedures
New / updated policies and procedures available on the Townsville Hospital & Health Service, Policy & Procedure Homepage
Environmental and equipment cleaning | THHSCLI120578 |
Replaced: v9
Target Audience: All employees and contractors at THHS
Welcome to Country and Acknowledgement of Country THHSCOR191361
Replaced: v2
Target Audience: All THHS employees (permanent, temporary and casual) and all organisations and individuals acting as its agents, including Visiting Medical Officers and other Contractors, consultants and volunteers.
Clinical Forms
Are you using the CURRENT version?
It is very important that you are using the current version of a clinical form. To ensure you print the current version, DO NOT save these forms to your local drive or photocopy these forms. If you need to continually refer to a form, you may ‘Add to Favourites’ in your web browser.
All clinical forms used within Townsville HHS can be found on the Clinical Forms webpage
New / Reviewed Clinical Forms
Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) Townsville Home Care Service Plan (00200:0917 v2)
Neonatal Transfer/Escort Care Record (00200:0504 v4)
Nursing Referral to Specialist Palliative Care in Aged Care (SPACE) (00200:1418 v2) Referral to Prosthetic and Orthotic Services (00200:0508 v4)
Patient Access and Flow
Webpage
The ONE STOP location for all things Patient access and flow at THHS
New Guideline on the Demand Management and Escalation webpage Guideline 2 - Demand Response Unit – Flex Beds
New Guideline on the Patient Flow and Support Unit webpage Guideline 8 – Requesting an inpatient bed Kidney Transplant Recipient
Enterprise Risk Management Training
Strengthen Patient Safety & Operational Resilience with Enterprise Risk Management Training
Every one of us contributes to THHS achieving its goals – delivering exceptional care, supporting our teams, and making a real difference in our community.
Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) helps us do exactly that by giving us the tools to anticipate what could go wrong before it does, make informed decisions, and stay on track to achieve our objectives. Whether you work in clinical care, administration, facilities, or leadership, this training will help you see the bigger picture of how enterprise risks are identified, managed, and reported across THHS. You’ll learn practical ways to identify and respond to potential risks early, support confident decision-making, and strengthen how we deliver on our shared purpose.
What you’ll gain:
• Confidence to identify and manage enterprise risks in your area
• A clearer understanding of how risk connects to THHS objectives
• Practical tools to support decision-making and problem-solving
• A stronger voice in shaping a safe, resilient organisation
Register now through:
Education and Training | Townsville HHS | Risk Management (health.qld.gov.au)
START HERE:
Course: Risk Management Basics | THHS-LOL (ONLINE MODULE - 30 mins)
This training will provide you with an understanding of the core components of the THHS Enterprise Risk Management Framework.
FACE-TO-FACE & MICROSOFT TEAMS WORKSHOPS:
Register via LOL: Title – Risk Management Essentials (2.5 hours)
This training is to ensure risk owners have the necessary skills to apply all aspects of the THHS Enterprise Risk Management Framework.
Register via LOL: Title – Risk Assessment and Treatment Plan (RATP) Workshop (2 hours)
Course: Risk assessment and treatment plan (RATP) Workshop | THHS-LOL (health.qld.gov.au)
This course is aimed at increasing your confidence and skills in assessing enterprise risk using the THHS Risk Assessment and Treatment Plan (RATP) template.
BUILD ON YOUR UNDERSTANDING:
Course: Strategic Risk Management | THHS-LOL (ONLINE MODULE - 20 mins)
This eLearning module is designed for the THHS senior leadership team, executive and directors, and focuses on shaping a risk intelligent approach to enterprise risk management.
Course: Risk Management Toolkit Sessions | THHS-LOL (8 X ONLINE VIDEOS – 10 mins)
These Toolkit Sessions are designed to provide targeted training in specific processes and functions set out in the THHS Enterprise Risk Management Framework.
For further information, please contact the Enterprise Risk Team at THHS-EnterpriseRisk@health.qld.gov.au
Course: Risk Management Essentials | THHS-LOL (health.qld.gov.au) Townsville
Staff Noticeboard
The TUH shuttle bus is a service operating from 6.30pm with a final run at 9.30pm from the hospital’s front foyer to eastern campus car park 17. he service is a safety measure for all streams and operates Monday to Friday. Please share your feedback to ensure the smooth running of this service.
Check out the most recent newsletter from the Healthcare Standards & Patient Safety Teams. Click the links below to read the newsletters: Healthcare Standards & Patient Safety Newsletter
Issue 5 – July 2025 Parkinson’s Disease Medication
Issue 6 - August 2025 Change in Behaviour - Could it be Delirium?
Issue 7 - September 2025 World Patient Safety Day 2025
Issue 8 - October 2025 Communicating for Safety
Read the latest Patient Safety Newsletter “Safety Matters” by clicking the ‘find out more’ button.
Townsville HHS Medication Newsletter
The most recent editions of the Townsville HHS Medication newsletter are out now. Click the links to read them:
Feb Medication newsletter | February 2025 | Townsville HHS | Newsletter
March Medication newsletter | March 2025 | Townsville HHS | Newsletter
May Medication newsletter | May 2025 | Townsville HHS | Newsletter
July Medication newsletter | July 2025 | Townsville HHS | Newsletter
Car Park Shuttle Service
The Queensland Occupational Violence Strategy Unit have recently collaborated with Strategic Communications to develop an Occupational Violence Prevention Signature block. The signature block reinforces messaging that occupational violence is not part of the job. The signature block generator can be found Signature Generator under the campaign banner “respect our staff”.
S/4Hana Update
The Food Service has updated several material numbers to streamline our processes and improve efficiency. These updates are designed to enhance our service delivery and ensure that we continue to meet the highest standards. Stay up to date by utlising the link below for ordering food services for your teams. Stay up to date by utilising the link below for ordering food services for your teams.
Please see below updated information:
• Address number list for catering consumables.
• s4hana order catering consumables Mar 24.
Reminder: Update Your S/4HANA Substitutions Before Leave
As you prepare for upcoming leave, please take a moment to review and update your S/4HANA substitutions. Doing so ensures that approvals and workflows continue seamlessly while you are away, with delegated tasks handled smoothly by your nominated colleague. Keeping these settings current helps avoid delays, supports business continuity, and makes it easier for the team to manage responsibilities in your absence. Thank you for taking the time to complete this important step before starting your break.
For any assistance, please contact your local Finance Team or Management Accounting.
Denomination Emergency Contact List
Sr Hera Oktadiana
Jehovah’s Witness
Australia (Methodist/Congregationalist)
Suggestions:
1. When you require a Pastoral Care person – Ring Twice – the person may have missed the first call.
2. Leave a Message so the person can respond – Note: the Hospital phone system doesn’t leave a number so the priest can not return the call if no message is left.
3. If you are not able to get someone, ring the Pastoral care Coordinator on 0447 880 993 (no text messages please) and someone else will be assigned.
