Following the serious patient and staff safety concerns raised through NPAA's TUH survey, we wrote to the Townsville Hospital and Health Service (THHS) executive on 3 June demanding urgent answers. The issues were stark: theatre equipment failures, occupational violence, unsafe staffing, bed block, and an executive culture that too many of you described as one that blames frontline staff for systemic failures.
Read our 3 June letter to THHS →
The concerns you shared with us didn't stay behind closed doors. The Townsville Bulletin ran the story, and the hospital was forced to answer for itself in the court of public opinion before it had answered us.
Read the Townsville Bulletin coverage →
Their response provided some answers. Too many were not answers, but rather deflections, generalities, and non-commitments on matters that directly affect patient safety and your working conditions.
Read THHS's 17 June response →
This week, we sent THHS another letter renewing every unanswered demand. We backed it up with Queensland Health's own performance data and with the fact that 115 senior TUH doctors have separately raised almost identical concerns with the Premier. When the nurses say it, the doctors say it, and the numbers say it... there is nowhere left to hide.
Read our 7 July follow-up letter to THHS →
This isn't an isolated issue. NPAA has been active on multiple fronts for members across Queensland, including pushing back on workplace policies affecting nurses' rights, most recently concerning reproductive leave conditions that have drawn national attention.
We are not letting this go quietly. We will keep you updated as this progresses.
If you have further information, incidents, or experiences that can help us keep the pressure on, please contact us. Your voice is what is forcing this hospital to answer for itself.
In solidarity,
Kara Thomas
President, Nurses Professional Association of Australia
If you need assistance, NPAA members can submit a Member Support Form through their Member Dashboard, you can contact our 24/7 Hotline on 1300 263 374 or email hotline@npaa.asn.au.