Breaking: Townsville hospital could have been mitigated urology failings 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.

Queensland Health Director-General 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.

Former CEO Kieran Keyes, who has since resigned citing personal reasons, revealed that the worst affected patients were people battling cancers that had spread without medical intervention "which may result in their death".

Despite an internal and external investigation into urology care at THHS, monthly performance data shows the service is still failing to provide timely care to 44 per cent of the most urgent urology patients in August 2026.

A cultural review of THHS staff was released alongside the urology probe on Wednesday.

The report, undertaken by consultancy firm Hoffman Reed, found all levels of staff felt a fractured relationship with the THHS board.

Staff described the board as disconnected from the realities of clinical care and detailed a widespread fear of speaking up on matters including patient safety.

Dr Rosengren said Queensland Health had accepted, in principle, the 27 recommendations and key findings from the investigation.

"The report identifies clear improvement opportunities for the THHS and across all Queensland Hospital and Health Services," he said.