By Chloe Chomicki

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At least 11 patients have been affected in a urology healthcare bungle at north Queensland’s largest public hospital, which cares for remote patients living hundreds of kilometres away.

Townsville Hospital and Health Service (THHS) said appointments were not booked and test results not provided to the patients, some of whom have been diagnosed with cancer.

Queensland Health’s Director-General David Rosengren has announced an independent investigation into the health service and has set up a broader taskforce to investigate complaints about care.

The investigation will look at the health service’s administration, management, delivery, and clinical governance of urology services from January 2022 through to 31 July 2025.

“Queensland Health holds itself to the highest standards of patient care. In some instances, those standards were not met to the level expected.”

Acting THHS chief executive Rex O’Rourke said gaps in care were identified when a GP re-referred a patient to the hospital’s urology service in July.

“We responded to that patient’s issues and then commissioned a review of our waitlist,” Mr O’Rourke said.

“During that review, we identified the 11 patients who had gaps and delays in their care.”

Mr O’Rourke said each patient had been contacted with clinical care provided as well.

He said among those patients, some had been diagnosed with cancer, but he did not give specific details.

Mr O’Rourke said the health service’s appointment booking process was the primary issue, not the quality of clinical care.

He said the urology waitlist had 821 patients listed as of Sunday evening, and promised their care would be reviewed.

Statewide concerns

Dr Rosengren said there was a shortage of urologists and that would form part of the investigation.

“The investigation will examine whether demand for urology services exceeded the capacity of Townsville University Hospital and subsequently influenced delays in follow-up care,” Dr Rosengren said.

“There is significant pressure on health systems from a shortage of specialist clinicians, including urologists, and Queensland Health is not immune from this.

“We owe it to patients to do as much as we can to identify and address challenges affecting their care, which is why I have established a dedicated urology taskforce.”

Profoundly disappointing

THHS board chair Tony Mooney apologised to affected patients and their families.

“It will be profoundly disappointing for our community to hear this today,” he said.

“We have unequivocally supported the investigation and we are committed to implementing any and all of the findings.”

THHS said its chief executive Keiran Keyes was on annual leave and would assist the investigation upon his return in some weeks.

Concerned patients are being urged to contact the dedicated phone line on 4433 3096 between 8am and 4pm.