Breaking: Townsville hospital could have been mitigated urology failings years earlier

Breaking: Townsville hospital could have been mitigated urology failings years earlier

An independent investigation has found failings in urology at Townsville Hospital and Health Service could have been mitigated by the board years earlier.

An independent investigation into Townsville Hospital and Health Service has found widespread urology failings could have been mitigated by the health service board years earlier.

The Queensland Health probe was announced in September 2025 after concerns were raised about a Townsville urology patient who suffered disrupted care and a serious adverse event.

Monthly performance data reveals that urgent urology patients still aren't receiving care within clinically recommended time frames.

An independent investigation of north Queensland's tertiary hospital has found failings in urological care could have been mitigated years earlier by executive staff.

The investigation of Townsville Hospital and Health Service (THHS) by Queensland Health found the THHS board was aware of gaps in urological care as early as 2022.

The Part 9 investigation found the board did not "appreciate the seriousness of emerging patient safety risks" until 2025.

THHS is the largest hospital in north Queensland and provides specialist urology care for public patients who live within the Townsville region as well as patients based hundreds of kilometres away.

The Director-General of Queensland Health, Dr David Rosengren, announced the investigation into urology at THHS in September 2025 and released the findings on Wednesday.

During the investigation, executive hospital staff publicly apologised and admitted that hundreds of patients had experienced gaps in their care.

In brief

An independent investigation into Townsville Hospital and Health Service has found widespread urology failings could have been mitigated by the health service board years earlier. An independent investigation of north Queensland's tertiary hospital has found failings in urological care could have been mitigated years earlier by executive staff. The investigation of Townsville Hospital and Health Service (THHS) by Queensland Health found the THHS board was aware of gaps in urological care as early as 2022.

This is the opening of the story, shared with credit to ABC News Australia. The rest of the report — with every detail — continues on the publisher’s website.

Continue reading at ABC News Australia ↗

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