Boards of Townsville Hospital and Health Service and Mater mark new era of collaboration

Board members of both Townsville’s private and public hospitals met to discuss the future of the city’s health industry and workforce.

Townsville Hospital and Health Board Chair Tony Mooney and Mater Board Chair Patrick Brady,

An important meeting was held between the Boards of both Townsville Hospital and Health Service and the Mater Hospital, marking a new era of collaboration between the city’s two major private and public hospitals.

Board Chair of the Townsville Hospital and Health Tony Mooney said the meeting focused on working together to reduce the wait for elective surgery and work on ways to build Townsville’s health workforce.

“We all know that health services across the country are challenged by an increase in demand for services driven by a growing and ageing population and a higher prevalence of chronic disease,” Mr Mooney said.

Georgina Whelan, Gerard Houlihan, Stephen Eaton, Chris Townend, Dr Erin Waters, Dr John Rivers, Graham Pattel, Dr Peter Steer, Professor Kunwarjit Sangala. Front: Luke Guazzo, Virginia Ryan, Tony Mooney, Patrick Brady, Michelle Morton, Steven Rubi

“We are looking to enhance our healthcare delivery by leasing theatre space from Mater for more elective work and creating opportunities for a shared clinical workforce.”

He said a dedicated eight-bed mother-baby unit at Mater announced earlier this year is part of a $39 million public health plan to improve mental healthcare for women pre and post birth.

Three years ago a joint $3.3 million investment between the two hospitals brought robotic surgery to the city, which has performed more than 960 surgeries.

“The Da Vinci surgical-assist robot allows surgeons to perform high-precision, minimally invasive surgeries including hysterectomies and pelvic reconstructions as well as surgeries for bowel and prostate cancer,” Mr Mooney said.

“An added benefit is much faster patient-recovery times and a speedier discharge from hospital.”

Mater Board Chair Patrick Brady said combining expertise and sharing new technology across the private and public health systems would ensure the people of North Queensland had better access to services and care.

“Mater Private Hospital has provided care to North Queenslanders for 70 years, employed more than 1000 people and is training the next generation of nurses for the region through it’s Diploma of Nursing course by Mater Education.” he said.

Originally published as Boards of Townsville Hospital and Health Service and Mater mark new era of collaboration