Important Message from our CEO Debbie Maclean - Weather Event 1 February 2025

Townsville Weather Event – Final Community Update Tuesday 4 February 2025

Everything is now back to normal following the recent weather event, and I want to take a moment to thank everyone—our community, emergency services, healthcare teams, and local businesses—for coming together with resilience and support.
To my staff and doctors, I deeply appreciate the enormous effort and additional hours you have put in to ensure our hospital continued to run as seamlessly as it did. Your ongoing dedication does not go unnoticed. It makes me incredibly proud to be a Townsville resident, born and bred, when our community spirit shines through in times like these.

Services Update

Inpatient admissions, day programs, and private practice appointments are all running as normal.

Next Steps

Our next focus is on how we can best support the community and our GPs in the aftermath of this event. While the immediate response is always crucial, we must also consider the medium and long-term impacts—particularly in mental health and how we can continue to assist those affected.

Thank you once again.

Update 1: Saturday 1 February 2025, 7am

Current Patients

We are checking in with all current patients to reassure them and ensure they feel supported. If you are a current patient and have concerns about discharge, road access, or returning home safely, please speak with your nurse. We will work closely with you to ensure a smooth transition.

Staff and Doctors

Thank you for your unwavering dedication during this time. Please check in with each other and reach out if you need support. Our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is available for confidential support, and I encourage you to use this valuable resource. 

More details are available on Loti (just search “EAP”). 

If you require evacuation and have no alternative accommodation, please seek refuge at Townsivlle Private Clinic. Your safety is our priority—reach out if you need support.

Visitors

If you are planning to visit loved ones, please prioritise your safety and avoid travel if roads are affected. If in-person visits are not possible, our team will do their best to facilitate alternative communication options.

Private Practice Appointments / Upcoming Admissions

If you are unable to attend your upcoming appointment or admission due to access issues, please contact us on 1800 884 767, and our team will assist with rescheduling. For urgent concerns, don’t hesitate to reach out.

We strongly urge everyone to stay informed by following updates from the Townsville City Council disaster dashboard and tuning in to @ABC radio for the latest emergency information. If you are in an emergency, please contact 000 immediately.

We understand this may be unsettling, especially for those who have experienced similar events in the past, and we are here to support you.

Thank you again for your resilience, patience, and dedication during this time. Please stay safe and take care.

Debbie Maclean,

CEO, Townsville Private Clinic

Update 2: Saturday 1 February 2025, 1pm

Townsville Private Clinic is fully operational as we monitor the severe weather. Our Disaster Management Committee remains stood up and is working with local authorities. 

Next Update: 5:30pm today with Monday’s operations. 

Current Patients

• Inpatient care continues as usual. If you have concerns, speak with your nurse.
• Discharges will proceed as planned, with support available for road access issues.

Upcoming Patients

•  If you cannot attend your appointment or admission, call 1800 884 767 to reschedule.
• Private practice closed this weekend. Monday updates will be provided later today.

Update 3: Sunday 2 February 2025, 5pm

As of Sunday, February 2, 2025, Townsville Private Clinic remains fully operational, with all staffing and contingency plans in place. Our Disaster Management Team continues to actively monitor the situation and will do so overnight. If the situation changes we will contact booked admissions directly via phone call. 

Next Update: 8:00 AM, 03.02.2025  

I would like to take this opportunity to thank both my staff and our patients who have been incredibly resilient and understanding during this time.

Current Patients

Inpatient care continues as usual. We understand the event may heighten stress; please reach out to your nurse if you have any concerns.

Upcoming Admissions & Appointments

•  Proceeding as planned.
• Please do not travel if it is not safe to do so. If you need to reschedule, call 1800 884 767.

Staff & VMOs

• All shifts are covered, with contingency plans in place.
• If unable to attend, please notify your manager ASAP.
• Refuge will continue to be available for staff at our hospital. 
• Join “TNV Comms” Facebook Group for latest updates: https://lnkd.in/gc47TZK4

Visitors

Please reconsider travel if conditions change. Our staff will assist with alternative communication methods.

Thank you again for your patience and understanding. I will provide further updates as needed. The next official update will be posted at 8:00 AM tomorrow. 

Kind regards, 
Debbie Maclean 
CEO, Townsville Private Clinic

Update #4: Monday 3 February 2025 7.30am  

IMPORTANT UPDATE ON BUSINESS OPERATIONS 

The Townsville Private Clinic will be operating the following services today:

UPCOMING PRIVATE PRACTIVE OUTPATIENT PATIENTS All Doctor clinics are operating as normal. 

• The Private Practice staff will call all scheduled patients to either confirm your attendance at the clinic or convert your appointment to Telehealth.
• If you cannot attend your appointment, call 44311600 to reschedule.

UPCOMING DAY PROGRAMS

DBT and DBT for Veterans have been cancelled for today. Programs will resume as normal from next week. Clinic staff will be in contact with you.

CURRENT PATIENTS

• Inpatient care continues as usual. If you have concerns, speak with your nurse.
• Day leave should be assessed against road conditions.

It is important our patients remain safe and follow all road and safety directions provided by the Townsville Local Disaster Management Group.

Update #5: Monday 3 February 2025, 5pm

Please see below key updates

• Normal operations will continue tomorrow for TPC inpatients and Private Practice.
• Day Programs are cancelled tomorrow (Tuesday), with Wednesday to be reassessed in the morning.
• Monitor the disaster page for weather updates.

Staff and Doctors

• Only drive if it is safe to do so.
• Hospital staff are classified as essential workers and have permission to travel to and from work.

Patients

• Current patients with concerns around discharge should speak with their nurse unit manager to ensure a safe transition home.
• Upcoming admissions or appointments will proceed as normal (excluding Day Programs for Tuesday).
  • If you need to reschedule due to travel concerns, please contact: 07 4431 1600

Visitors & Community

• Only drive if it is safe to do so.
• We can support facilitating alternative communication methods with your loved ones in the hospital if needed.

Thank you for your cooperation and stay safe.

Next update: 8.00am, 04/02/2025

Remember if it is “flooded forget it”. Thank you again for your patience and support.