Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service

Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service Do not use this page to report an emergency or to seek medical advice. In an emergency call Triple 0

The Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service provides health care to a population of approximately 24,000 people and 66% of our patients are of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander origin. We have 31 primary health care centres, two hospitals and two multi-purpose facilities. Our facilities are scattered throughout the Torres Strait Islands, the Northern Peninsula Area and Cape York. Our main health centres are at Cooktown, Weipa, Thursday Island and Bamaga.

💜 BreastScreen are in the Torres Strait and NPA! 💜Free breast screening is available to women aged over 40. Please talk ...
15/09/2026

💜 BreastScreen are in the Torres Strait and NPA! 💜

Free breast screening is available to women aged over 40.

Please talk to your local clinic for more information.

The Cooktown and Biloela communities have been waiting for the return of birthing services closer to home—and now it's h...
14/09/2026

The Cooktown and Biloela communities have been waiting for the return of birthing services closer to home—and now it's happening. 👏

From today, eligible women with healthy, low-risk pregnancies can now be referred to the services and assessed for suitability under the new model of care.

The re-opening of birthing services follows extensive preparation to ensure safe, high-quality maternity care for both communities. 👶

Maternity staff, nurses, medical officers and support teams have had extra training to strengthen clinical skills, teamwork and emergency response capability.

A new modular, purpose-built antenatal and postnatal clinic is under construction at Biloela and is expected to be delivered to site later this year. 🔨

'We recognise the value of having maternity care available locally and what that means for families,' Central Queensland Chief Executive Lisa Blackler said.

'Reaching this point is the result of careful planning and preparation, and we’re pleased to be moving forward with the return of birthing services.'

The birthing service at Cooktown Multipurpose Health Service (MPHS) is expected to support about 40 births a year from Cooktown and surrounding communities, including Wujal Wujal, Hope Vale, Laura and Lakeland.

Cooktown MPHS Midwifery Unit Manager Debbie Bannan said the return of birthing represented an exciting new chapter for the community.

'The establishment of Waterlily Midwifery Group Practice has been a valuable part of preparing for the return of birthing,' she said.

'The name was hand-picked by community members and represents connection, growth, resilience and community.

'Re-establishing birthing in Cooktown is about creating a safe, sustainable and successful maternity service that reflects the needs of the communities it serves.'

What an exciting milestone for Cooktown and Biloela families! 🫶

13/09/2026

👏 Cooktown welcomes the return of local birthing services 👏

Families from Cooktown and surrounding communities are now able to welcome babies locally again, with the return of birthing services.

From today, women with healthy, low-risk pregnancies may be referred for assessment under the new model of care.

The return of birthing services at Cooktown Multipurpose Health Service follows significant planning and preparation to make sure maternity care is safe, high-quality and tailored to local needs.

Please watch the video to hear from our staff on what the return of birthing services means to them.

Additional midwives and rural generalist doctors with obstetrics and anaesthetics training have joined the service, while maternity staff, nurses, medical officers and support teams have undertaken further training to strengthen clinical capability, teamwork and emergency response.

The service is expected to support around 40 births each year for families in Cooktown and nearby communities, including Wujal Wujal, Hope Vale, Laura and Lakeland.

Cooktown MPHS Midwifery Unit Manager Debbie Bannan said the return of birthing marks an important new chapter for the region.

What a wonderful milestone for Cooktown and surrounding communities 🫶

💜 Today is World Sepsis Day 💜Sepsis happens when the body’s response to an infection starts to injure its own tissues an...
13/09/2026

💜 Today is World Sepsis Day 💜

Sepsis happens when the body’s response to an infection starts to injure its own tissues and organs.

In babies and children, sepsis can be difficult to recognise because symptoms can look similar to other common illnesses such as the flu or gastro, especially in the early stages.

Sepsis is a medical emergency and needs immediate treatment in hospital.

You know your child best. If your child becomes more unwell, or this illness feels different from other times, ask your nurse or doctor:
“Could it be sepsis?”

Any child with any infection can develop sepsis.

ℹ Download the checklist for children with infection when your child is unwell to monitor for any new symptoms, or signs that their condition is getting worse: https://www.childrens.health.qld.gov.au/resources/health-professionals/sepsis/paediatric-sepsis-signs-checklist

👉 If you’re unsure or concerned, go to hospital, even if your child was recently seen, and ask, Could it be sepsis?

❤️‍🩹 Our staff: The heart of health ❤️‍🩹Spotlighting TCHHS staff members who epitomise our values and make us proud to w...
12/09/2026

❤️‍🩹 Our staff: The heart of health ❤️‍🩹

Spotlighting TCHHS staff members who epitomise our values and make us proud to work alongside them.

🤝 Joshua Janke, Patient Experience Officer/ Compass Educator, Care Coordination Service Centre (CCSC) based in Cairns.

1⃣ What does a typical day, or week look like in your role?
A lot of the work I do as a patient experience officer is supporting the patient throughout their health journey in Cairns. The work I do is around navigating the health system, supporting and advocating for patients with their accommodation, travel, providing food support, transporting patients to and from their appointments at outpatients and just being a support person if they have any questions or issues whilst in Cairns.

2⃣ Who are you when you're not at work?
The best part of my time away from work is spending it with my daughter and family. I love spending time with my little girl whether it’s going to Rustys and getting our coffee and fruit cup then going to a park – she always keeps me on my toes; she is always making me laugh. The other thing I enjoy on the weekend is watching sports.

3⃣ What is a lesson you have learned during your time with TCHHS that you would like to share with others?
I think one of the lessons I have learnt is what patients must go through from leaving their homes and community to come to Cairns to access their heath appointment and some of the patients don’t know when they will be able to go back home.

🖤💛 R U OK? 💛🖤 Teams across the Torres and Cape celebrated R U OK Day this week with BBQs, activities, morning teas and l...
11/09/2026

🖤💛 R U OK? 💛🖤

Teams across the Torres and Cape celebrated R U OK Day this week with BBQs, activities, morning teas and lots of yellow! 😁🌞💛🌻🎉☀️

R U OK? is a great way to inspire and empower everyone to meaningfully connect with the people around them and start a conversation with those who may be struggling with life.

You don't need to be an expert to reach out - just a good friend and a great listener 💛

Sometimes it’s up to us to trust our gut instinct and ask someone who may be struggling with life “are you OK?”, in our own way 🤝

ℹ Don't know where to start? Find out more at https://www.ruok.org.au/how-to-ask

📸 Shout out to Gilly, one of our Health Workers in Weipa for his BBQ skills, and to both him and his teammates Dayne and Vandana for their advocacy of the day!

Hey Kubin and St Pauls 👋We are in community next week to yarn about your Health Centres!📍Kubin Community HallWednesday 1...
10/09/2026

Hey Kubin and St Pauls 👋

We are in community next week to yarn about your Health Centres!

📍Kubin Community Hall
Wednesday 16 September, from 10am

📍St Pauls Community Hall
Thursday 17 September, from 7pm

Join members from TCHHS Capital team, as well as H.C. Building and Construction for a yarn and some food.

All welcome!

🤧 Flu (influenza) is on the rise again 🤧This can be a serious infection for some people including children, people with ...
09/09/2026

🤧 Flu (influenza) is on the rise again 🤧

This can be a serious infection for some people including children, people with chronic disease or weakened immune systems, pregnant women and the elderly.

It’s not too late to get vaccinated and protect you and your family from getting sick. The more people in the household that are vaccinated, the better protected you all are.

To look after you, your family and community, remember:
✔️ Stay at home if you are unwell - don't go to school, daycare or work
✔️ Present to the clinic if concerned about your symptoms
✔️ Encourage good hand hygiene including handwashing and use of alcohol rubs
✔️ Cover coughs and sneezes in your elbow
✔️ Wearing a mask can protect you from getting sick and protect others if you are sick
✔️ Vaccination can help to reduce the severity of illness and the risk of hospitalisation

Symptoms can include:
• Fever
• Cough
• Difficulty breathing
• Runny nose/nasal congestion
• Muscle and joint pain
• Tiredness or extreme exhaustion
• Headache

🎉 Congratulations to our Deadly Start school-based traineeship graduates! 🎉Arrami, Violet, Elayna, Brandi and Daraysha f...
09/09/2026

🎉 Congratulations to our Deadly Start school-based traineeship graduates! 🎉

Arrami, Violet, Elayna, Brandi and Daraysha from Cooktown State School have successfully completed the two-year Deadly Start program.

The students have gained valuable hands-on experience in healthcare and building a strong foundation for their future careers.

This group is the second cohort from Cooktown State School to complete the Deadly Start program, with a third cohort already beginning their journey.

The TCHHS cadetship and traineeship program continues to grow year on year, with 20 cadets and trainees currently enrolled for 2026–27.

👨‍⚕️ WORK IN BAMAGA 👩‍⚕️ Child and Youth Mental Health Clinician👨‍⚕️ 💭 Join the healthcare community of Bamaga for a l...
08/09/2026

👨‍⚕️ WORK IN BAMAGA 👩‍⚕️ Child and Youth Mental Health Clinician👨‍⚕️

💭 Join the healthcare community of Bamaga for a life of balance and adventure.

ℹ️ Thinking this could be the right fit? Have a yarn with Sarah Davies-Roe (0486 006 834), she would love to chat and answer any questions.

🔗 Visit the job link for more info: https://apply-springboard.health.qld.gov.au/jobs/QLD-TC686883

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Cairns, QLD

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