Sari and sons help TUH clock up quarter century of care

For nursing director Sari Holland, Townsville University Hospital (TUH), which celebrates its 25th birthday on Saturday, is more than just her workplace.

It’s where she’s welcomed countless new lives in her career as a midwife and where she birthed three of her four strapping boys Thomas, 21, Joseph, 18, Oscar, 15, and Sonny, 12.

The boys are among more than 57,000 babies born at TUH in the past 25 years.

“I’m so proud to be part of the hospital workforce; working in health means you are making a difference in people’s lives every day,” Ms Holland said.

“Over 25 years I’ve witnessed the most extraordinary growth since we moved from the North Ward campus and Kirwan Women’s Hospital to our current site.”

Since opening its doors on 10 October 2001, the hospital has chalked up more than 1.9 million admissions with 858,000 patients staying one night or more.

Chief medical officer Dr Kunwarjit Sangla said the need for people to travel to Brisbane for specialist services had reduced dramatically.

“We have the ability to care for the most complex patients including micro-premmie babies, high-acuity cardiac, intensive care, obstetric, paediatric, rehabilitation, interventional radiology, interventional neuroradiology, and oncology cases right here at home,” he said.

“CAR T-cell therapy, kidney transplant services, and a hybrid theatre are among the many clinical innovations and tertiary-level services available to our community.”

Acting health service chief executive Peta Bryant said TUH was about to embark on a billion-dollar expansion.

“Stage 1A will deliver 165 new overnight beds and expanded emergency and intensive care services, further positioning the hospital as the major referral centre for northern Australia,” she said.

“We have more than 6,300 staff who keep the wheels turning every minute of every day.

“We hope our community will join us today in celebrating Townsville University Hospital’s 25th year; it is as much their hospital as it is ours.”