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.
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
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.
This programme delivered in collaboration with the Centre for Leadership Excellence, health Workforce. Townsville Hospital and Health Service
Programs include:
• 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
Critical Care Advanced Airway Course
CAN’T INTUBATE CAN’T OXYGENATE (CICO)
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
North QLD Pelvic Pain and Endometriosis Services (NQPPES) Workshop
Meet the Keynote Speaker Professor Rebecca Kimble Franzcog this Saturday, 21st Fenruary 2026 in the Robert Douglas Auditorium.
Learn about:
• Management of Abnormal Bleeding and Pain Management in Children and Adolescents
• Congenital Anomalies of the Female Reproductive Tract
• Considerations for the management of pelvic pain in the Children and Adolescents
• Persistent pelvic pain from a consumer’s perspective
Click the ‘Find Out More’ button for details about the event and to register now.
Policies and Procedures
New / updated policies and procedures available on the Townsville Hospital & Health Service, Policy & Procedure Homepage
Clozapine commencement and re-titration monitoring guidelines | THHSCLI161027 |
Replaced: v4
Target Audience: Mental Health Service Group (MHSG) clinical staff, Townsville Hospital and Health Service (THHS)
Post employment worker screen monitoring for aged care services THHSCOR181205
Replaced: v2
Target Audience: All staff, contractors and volunteers at Residential Aged Care Home (RACF), Multi-Purpose Health Services (MPHS) and those delivering services to clients under the Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) or the Transition Care Program (TCP).
Pressure injuries - guidelines for prevention and management THHSCLI080383
Replaced: v10
Target Audience: All Townsville Hospital and Health Service (THHS) staff involved in clinical care
Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) ‘Starter Pack’ in Antenatal care THHSCLI231693 Standing Orders
Replaced: NEW
Target Audience: Midwives in Women’s & Children’s clinics including all antenatal clinics (including midwives) and antenatal day assessment clinics. MGP and Birth centre, Maternal Fetal Medicine, Maternity unit and Birth Suite.
Cyclopentolate 1% / Phenylephrine 2.5% (paediatric twelve (12) months to 12 years old) | THHSCLI191350 Standing Orders
Replaced: v3
Target Audience Registered Nurse or Enrolled Nurse under the delegation of a Registered Nurse , Optometrist working in opthamology dept, surgical clinics, PPU
IVERMECTIN (Stromectol) for scabies management | THHSCLI201445 Standing Orders
Replaced: V3
Target Audience: RNs working at CYDC
Clinical Handover THHSCLI120618
Replaced: v5
Target Audience :All staff and students engaged in clinical handover within the Townsville Hospital and Health Service (THHS).
RHSG Death review process THHSCLI161043
Replaced: v4
Target Audience: All clinical staff (permanent, temporary, and casual) within RHSG within Townsville Hospital and Health Service (THHS)
Aged Care Services – Oral and dental care assessments | THHSCLI191385
Replaced: v2
Target Audience: All Townsville Hospital and Health Service (THHS) employees providing aged care services (permanent, temporary and casual) and all organisations and individuals acting as its agents (including visiting Medical Officers and consultants).
Aged Care Services – Organisation’s service environment THHSCOR191375
Replaced: v4
Target Audience: all THHS employees providing aged care services (permanent, temporary, and casual), and all organisations and individuals acting as its agents (including visiting Medical Officers and other partners, contractors, consultants, and volunteers).
Replaced: v5
Aged Care Services – End of life care THHSCLI191393
Replaced: v2
Target Audience: All Townsville Hospital and Health Service (THHS) employees providing aged care services (permanent, temporary and casual) and all organisations and individuals acting as its agents (including visiting Medical Officers and consultants).
Aged Care Services – Death and dying with dignity THHSCLI201417
Replaced: v2
Target Audience: All Townsville Hospital and Health Service (THHS) employees providing aged care services (permanent, temporary and casual) and all organisations and individuals acting as its agents, including visiting Medical Officers and consultants.
Application of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) therapy within Residential Aged Care setting | THHSCLI201467
Replaced: v2
Target Audience: This procedure applies to all employees working within Townsville Hospital and Health Service Residential Aged Care Facilities (RACF) and Multi-Purpose Health Service (MPHS).
Aged Care Services - Alcohol Consumption THHSCLI191395
Replaced:v2
Target Audience: All Townsville Hospital and Health Services (THHS) employees providing aged care services (permanent, temporary and casual) and all organisations and individuals acting as its agents, including visiting Medical Officers and consultants.
Developing a new criteria led discharge (CLD) order for patients at Townsville Hospital and Health Service (THHS) THHSCLI231566
Replaced: v1
Target Audience: THHS Senior nursing/midwifery staff, e.g., Nurse/Midwife Grade 7s) and Medical Officers involved with patient care and management.
Clinician Criteria Led Discharge (CLD) for adult & paediatric patients at Townsville Hospital and Health Service THHSCLI221519
Replaced: v2
Target Audience: THHS registered nurses and midwives (Grade 5 and above), excluding external/agency staff.
Intoxicated consumers in the Emergency Department (ED) – management of THHSCLI140706
Replaced: v3
Target Audience: TUH ED, Short Term Treatment Area (STTA), Acute Care Team (ACT), Mental Health Service Group (MHSG) staff, Townsville Hospital and Health Service (THHS)
Acute Care clinical update ,Mental Health Service Group (MHSG) THHSCLI140858
Replaced: v5
Target Audience: MHSG Staff, Townsville Hospital and Health Service (THHS)
Rescinded
THHSCLI040069 Clinical documentation
Target Audience- All Townsville Hospital and Health Service (THHS) staff documenting in health records.
Clinical Forms
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
• Eating Disorder Level 1 Nutrition Plan (00200:1039 v4)
• Eating Disorder Level 2 Nutrition Plan (00200:1040 v4)
• Eating Disorder Level 3 Nutrition Plan (00200:1041 v4)
• Eating Disorder Level 4 Nutrition Plan (00200:1042 v4)
• Eating Disorder Level 5 Nutrition Planv (00200:1043 v4)
• HiTH or Mater Referral of THHS Patients to Post Acute Nursing Care (PANC) (00200:1200 v2)
• Paediatric Medical Emergency Record (00200:1001 v5)
• Patient Own Controlled Drug Receipt Book (POCDRB) (00200:0861 v2)
• Queensland Maternity Early Warning Tool (Q-MEWT) Intrapartum for Rural and Remote Facilities (SW778 v5)
• Referral to Adult Consultation Liaison Psychiatry (CLP) & ATODS Hospital Liaison Services (00200:0362 v6)
• Referral to Community Health Services for Ongoing Chest Drain Care (00200:0982 v3)
• Referral to Community Health Services for Ongoing Wound Care (00200:0377 v6)
New / Reviewed Clinical Forms
• Smoke At Own Risk
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
