Townsville University Hospital

"Our experience today is far less than 1 star!!! My 85 year old diabetic father sat for hours and hours in the ‘Planned Procedure Unit’ where I left him after being assured by a nurse that I would be called (next of kin) when he was out and in a ward. We arrived at 6am, admitted at 7:37am. I left my father sitting there only in underwear covered by a hospital robe at 10am. Rang and spoke to a nurse at 1:25pm for 19 minutes. Was told surgery was cancelled ‘before’ we arrived and then told ‘sorry it was cancelled ‘after’ you arrived but we have a bed for your father tonight and the surgery will take place tomorrow. Omg has he had food, something to drink?? Nope!!! But the nurse was very apathetic and said she would take some sandwiches and tea to him. I told the nurse I would be back there soon to bring my father’s belongings for his stay. I arrived back there at 4pm, taken to where I’d left him AND they couldn’t find him! A nurse then comes out and states he went home in a taxi! Are you kidding me. I just came from his home and he certainly wasn’t there! No phone call, no communication! I did receive a call from ‘someone’ Dr?? who told me the surgeon would ‘call me later’ which still hasn’t happened as I write this at 8:45pm. I am gobsmacked at the lack of communication within this hospital not only between the Drs and staff but also with family! I left my father in your care and you let him sit for hours without anyone offering to take him to a toilet (he can barely walk unaided), you allowed him to go home in a taxi dressed in hospital garb, no shoes and no call to his family. He had nothing and this is how you care for our elderly! This man served our country and you failed him in the most undignified way! Shame on you!"

"I thank all the staff who gave wonderful care to my husband John Watts when .he was in need of loving care Jill and Jess and all of the beautiful admim staff where so nice to him. Sigrid was so special. Great doctor. Thanks you all so much"

"Despite the tragic circumstances of your loved one having to present at this hospital, it is even more appalling to receive such bad service from the staff. Forget Partnering with Consumers and their families. It certainly does not exist in the Acute Assessment Unit. It takes 4 hrs to make contact with the unit and just when you stop getting relooped, you receive a rude nurse that may choose or not choose to let you know if your loved one is remotely even OK. It is a shame with the current bad publicity surrounding this health service that they cannot afford to demonstrate basic compassion and decency. The senior leadership team clearly need to look after their staff better so patients can receive the person centred care and build trust with their carers. You are performing a service for the local community who has paid for it and staff wages with their taxes. Shame on Townsville Hospital and Health Service."

"Thankyou to all staff and Doctors who cared for my son, he had to be flown from Mt Isa hospital to Townsville hospital and had major surgery on left lung. I live in NSW and unable to be there. Staff including reception were very helpful and kind. I appreciate all the good work they do."

"I spent some hours in Emergency recently. While doctors were not able to identify or rectify my problem, the efforts of nurses and a particular young female doctor were amazing and so appreciated. The doctor was thorough, explained every step along the way and was so, so compassionate, kind and caring in the process. I hope, by chance, that she might read this from one very appreciative patient. Kathy"