Townsville Hospital and Health Service

As we acknowledge Closing the Gap Day today, 20 March 2025, we do so with a deep sense of responsibility—to listen, to learn, and to act. Closing the Gap is not just a policy or a report. It is about people. It is about the right to live strong, healthy lives, to grow old with dignity, and to pass knowledge and culture to future generations. This year’s theme, “Agency, Leadership, Reform”, reminds us that First Nations communities hold the solutions to their own futures. We all have a role in creating a culturally safe, inclusive, and equitable society and healthcare. Together, we can move beyond acknowledging the gap—we can close it.

Don’t be surprised to see these on doors around North Ward. 🚪 A dengue outbreak has been declared for the area. 🚨🦟 If you have one on your door, then don’t ignore it and follow the advice. ⚠️ Dengue mosquitos are small, quiet, and sneak into your house. 🏠 Take precautions against dengue mosquito bites around your home: • Keep screens closed and use mozzie zappers or coils. ⚡️ • Get rid of wriggler breeding sites, including tipping water out of anything like pot plant bases, buckets, tyres, vases, and even palm fronds. 💧🗑️ • Use insect repellent containing DEET or picaridin and reapply according to the label. 🧴 • Spray dark and damp hiding places inside with long-acting surface spray or cockroach insecticide. 🕷️ This will last at least a month. Look out for the signs and symptoms. Typical symptoms may include: • Sudden onset of fever and extreme tiredness. 🤒 • Intense headache. 🤕 • Muscle and joint pain. 🦴 • Loss of appetite. 🤢 • Vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, and a metallic taste. 🤮 • A flushed or red rash. 🔴 Anyone very unwell should see a doctor. 👨⚕️ 🏥 For more information visit www.health.qld.gov.au 🌐

Yesterday, we celebrated the incredible women working across our hospital and health service at the 2025 International Women's Day event at Townsville University Hospital 💪💙 Over 100 staff came together to honour the progress women have made and the work that still lay ahead in the pursuit of gender equality. The event featured a powerful keynote address from Major Stacey Cooper, along with a panel discussion led by female leaders, health service deputy Board chair Michelle Morton and director of urogynaecology Dr Kurinji Kannan. ✨ Major Cooper shared her experience balancing multiple roles as an army officer, nurse, wife, and mother, highlighting the strength, resilience, and leadership women bring to every aspect of life. ✨ Michelle Morton reflected on how women today are still making history and paving the way for future generations of leaders, while Dr Kannan spoke about the importance of support from family and colleagues in helping women achieve their career goals. To all of the women across the many and varied roles in our health service, thank you for your wisdom, expertise, and compassion! 💙

Townsville University Hospital (TUH) radiation oncology registrar Dr Ravi Marwah is paving the way to better outcomes for those suffering from recurring aggressive brain tumours. 🧠 💡 Ravi was awarded the prestigious 2024 Bourne and Langlands Prize by the The Royal Australian & New Zealand College of Radiologists (RANZCR) for his 2023 publication comparing approaches to the treatment of recurrent high-grade gliomas. High-grade gliomas are fast-growing tumours occurring in the brain and spinal cord. Ravi said the research looked at different treatment options for patients with recurrent brain tumours, specifically looking at the use of chemotherapy or radiation therapy, or both together to improve outcomes. “It's particularly important because despite initial treatment approaches typically involving combinations of surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy, a lot of these brain tumours tend to recur,” Ravi said. “The research team found significant increases in patient survival measures, including overall survival and progression-free survival, with the use of combination therapies combining reirradiation and systemic therapy. “It’s a real step in the right direction to figure out the best treatment for patients.” Ravi’s study was undertaken in collaboration with James Cook University, the National University Cancer Institute, Singapore, and Olivia Newton-John Cancer and Wellness Centre. Read more about the research and award on our website https://lnkd.in/eCCgAEvR

Every quarter, Townsville Hospital and Health Service's allied health service division recognises the efforts of staff working on projects which align with our purpose of 'great care, every day'. 'Leading in First Nations healthcare' was the first theme of the year with advanced podiatrist Leigh Ryan and advanced podiatry assistant Nerida Caden impressing the judging panel with their High Risk Foot Health Worker Training program. "It's important to identify the risks for our indigenous patients and the best way to get them involved is to include the indigenous health workers because they help provide a culturally appropriate education and be the connecting piece," Nerida said. "We found that First Nations patients can have some difficulty understanding why they need to come to their appointments and by working with indigenous health workers, we can communicate with patients in a more efficient and culturally appropriate way," Leigh said. Eight spotlight awards were also handed out to the following staff who have gone above-and-beyond in their roles: Melanie Senent, Lee Mellor, Gail Kingston, Chloe Bail, Rachel Pennisi, Tom Foster, Kara Milne and Anitta Biju 👏 Congratulations, Leigh and Nerida on your award and to all the nominees and spotlight recipients for your continued dedication to providing world-class healthcare for northern Queensland.

Townsville University Hospital's stroke unit are certified gold angels!🎉 🎇 The team were awarded Gold Status by the World Stroke Organisation's Angels Initiative for meeting the highest standards in stroke treatment and care. Clinical nurse coordinator Nerida Myers said the award was a great honour. "It's a testament to the team effort to enhance stroke care in the local area," she said. "Acting swiftly on the signs of stroke and implementing best practice care requires coordination between multiple teams and our stroke unit staff." TUH treats approximately 450 strokes each year from across northern and western Queensland. Congratulations team on this great achievement!

🏥 Registered nurse Deb Scuderi didn't plan on working in healthcare but this year she celebrates 50 years in the profession! Originally hoping to study business in Brisbane, Deb's mum didn't want her to move away, instead convincing her to do some work with her at the local hospital. "In an endeavour to get away from home, I moved to Tamworth and did three years hospital training, post grad work in Toowoomba and then went on to do rural-remote work with an agency," Deb said. "I went back to Tamworth in theatre, intending that was going to be it, but I got itchy feet, went back to agency nursing, ended up in Home Hill for three months and ended up staying for 24 years before moving to Townsville." If you've ever had surgery at Townsville University Hospital, there's a high chance Deb was around to flash her smile and make you feel at ease! We're so glad to have you at TUH, Deb!

Yesterday the brand-new home for the North Queensland Persistent Pain Management Service (NQPPMS) at Townsville University Hospital was officially opened. The $4.4 million facility brings together all aspects of pain management into one place, making patient care easier and more effective for staff and more convenient for patients. David Creighton from Deeragun has been utilising the NQPPMS to manage chronic pain following a total knee reconstruction and said getting treatment was much easier. "With the opening of this new space, I can get all of my multidisciplinary care under one roof, which is great for patients," he said. "It's a lot more convenient for those with mobility problems to access this unit and I'm very grateful for that."

Happy Love Your Pet Day! 🐶💙🐱 Our Townsville University Hospital team feel the love every day with their wonderful staff pet walls celebrating the furry (and not so furry) friends who brighten our lives. Share a pic of your pet below, we’d love to see your best pals too. 🐍🐠🐥🐹

Collaboration was key in the Burdekin as Ayr and Home Hill Health Services were challenged by the severe weather. 🔑 🌧️ Ayr Health Service director of nursing and facility manager Tracey Gabiola said swollen creeks prevented many staff living rurally from accessing town. “The road between Ayr and Home Hill was closed and Ayr staff who live in Home Hill were stranded and vice versa,” Tracey said. “In conjunction with Home Hill acting director of nursing Joanne McBow, we contacted staff and arranged shift changes and secondment to work in other facilities. “Townsville Helicopters also helped to fly stranded staff at Jarvisfield into town and Q Rail transferred staff across the Burdekin River between Ayr and Home Hill. 🚁 🚂 “I was amazed at the willingness of staff across all disciplines who reached out, worked additional hours, swapped shifts and even moved out of their homes to ensure we could continue to care for our community." Thank you to our wonderful staff in the Burdekin! 💙