Townsville HHS expands surgical services to bring care closer to home for Ayr and Ingham locals

More north Queensland locals can now access surgeries closer to home after the Townsville Hospital and Health Service (HHS) expanded its surgical services to Ingham and Ayr.

The additional services are focused on delivering surgeries locally, reducing the need for patients to travel to Townsville and increasing capacity at Townsville University Hospital. 

Chief executive Kieran Keyes said the service expansion was a significant step forward for local healthcare. 

“We are now able to perform a range of planned, simple, and low-risk surgeries for Hinchinbrook and Burdekin locals,” Mr Keyes said. 

“We have highly capable staff in our regional locations who will work with TUH staff to deliver these elective surgeries once a month. 

“Our staff have undergone extensive training to ensure this service runs smoothly, from our rural generalist with advanced specialist skills in anaesthetics to our dedicated nursing team. 

“This is a win not only for residents in those regional centres, but also for TUH and being able to create more surgical capacity in the Townsville HHS region.” 

Mr Keyes said the health service has made a significant investment in both the Ingham and Ayr hospitals to expand their capacity to take on the surgeries.

“That includes upgrading the medical equipment sterilising capabilities at both sites and purchasing new laparoscopic equipment to allow for a wider range of procedures,” he said.

“This new equipment is helping to bring more capacity and capabilities to regional health services within the Townsville HHS area.”

Ingham Health Service director of nursing Janine Johnson said this was welcome news for the community and regional health workers.

“Many of our staff are already highly skilled, and this gives them an opportunity to use their existing skills to benefit their own community,” Ms Johnson said.

“It’s a point of pride that this service is delivered by locals for locals.

“These increased surgical services are not only about treating people closer to home but also encouraging more healthcare professionals to work in regional settings.

“With access to work like this it will help us to attract and retain staff in locations like Ingham and Ayr.”