Mount Isa Hospital

The city was established in 1923 following the discovery of one of the world’s richest deposits of copper, silver, lead and zinc ore. Today Mount Isa is a progressive industrial, commercial and tourist centre with an active mining industry. Approximately 18,340 people live in Mount Isa and the surrounding areas. The Traditional Custodians of the area are the Kalkadoon people, also known as the Kalatungu, Kalkatunga or Kalkadungu people. In total, over 16 per cent of the local population identify as Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Mount Isa Hospital is the main referral centre within the North West Hospital and Health Service.

Patients from other facilities across the north west region who require specialist treatment and care are referred to either the Mount Isa Hospital or to other major hospitals within Queensland, including Townsville, Cairns and Brisbane. We have now transitioned from Townsville Hospital and Health Service the renal dialysis services consisting of an eight-chair renal unit based at the Mount Isa Hospital.

Specialist outreach patient services are managed from the hospital, which is the major hub for Telehealth services across the entire north-west service area, with five primary health care clinics and six hospital sites having access to 24/7 medical and nursing and midwifery support for the advice and management of lower risk emergency department presentations and other outpatient care.

Originally initiated in 2008, the phased redevelopment of the Mount Isa Hospital is close to completion and will further enhance health service access, provide an environment that supports contemporary models of care, and improve patient facilities and staff amenities.

The Mount Isa Hospital provides ambulatory, sub-ambulatory and inpatient services predominantly in the areas of:

• accident and emergency
• specialist medical and nurse and midwifery-led services – outpatients
• general medical, including chronic disease such as diabetes and respiratory care
• cardiac, including cardiac investigations
• general surgical including day surgical procedures (endoscopy, colonoscopy)
• gynaecology
• ophthalmology
• obstetrics and midwifery – regional birthing facility for low and medium risk birthing (from 34 weeks’ gestation). Outlying remote facilities do not have the service provision or equipment to birth except in the circumstances of emergency / unplanned births
• critical care
• neonatal and special care nursery
• paediatrics
• telehealth (inpatient, in-reach and outpatient)
• sub-acute care (palliative, geriatric evaluation and management)
• mental health, alcohol, and other drugs service
• oncology – chemotherapy support by Townsville cancer care service
• breast care service – funded through the McGrath Foundation.
• renal dialysis
• allied health – including dietetics, occupational therapy, podiatry, social work, physiotherapy, clinical measurements and speech and hearing
• pharmacy
• oral health service.

The Mount Isa Hospital radiology diagnostic service is provided by iMED Radiology through a private outsourcing agreement. The radiology department is co-located within the Mount Isa Hospital providing:

• general computerised radiography
• magnetic resonance imaging
• echo-cardiograms
• ultrasound fluoroscopy, and mobile trauma services through a digitalised picture communication system supporting outlying facilities.

Subacute services include community rehabilitation in partnership with the Centre for Rural and Remote Health and North West Remote Health

Common episodes of care include:

• maternity services
• chemotherapy
• chest pain
• colonoscopy
• cellulitis
• dental extractions and restorations
• eye clinic
• injuries
• gastroscopy
• respiratory infections, and other health care and prevention services.