North West Hospital and Health Service (North West HHS) is pleased to announce the reestablishment of onsite orthopaedic surgery at Mount Isa Hospital, which commenced on Thursday 3 April 2025.

This marks a significant milestone in the ongoing collaboration between North West HHS, Metro South Health and Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee (QEII) Hospital.

As part of this strengthened partnership, a QEII orthopaedic surgeon and nurse will travel to Mount Isa every three to four months for a two-day visit.

Each visit will include an elective surgery list of approximately 10 low-complexity procedures, followed by a full-day outpatient clinic.

The visiting orthopaedic specialists are the same clinicians currently providing weekly telehealth services to the region.

Their continued involvement means they are already well acquainted with the local patient population, clinical needs and referral pathways, allowing for a seamless transition from virtual consultations to in-person care.

This continuity builds trust with patients and supports coordinated, consistent management throughout the surgical journey.

Patients will continue to be assessed and selected based on their suitability for receiving surgery locally, ensuring that those with less complex needs can access high-quality care at Mount Isa Hospital.

While this new service expands local access, existing referral pathways will remain in place.

Category one patients will continue to be referred to Townsville, while category two and three patients requiring more complex or timely procedures will still be managed at QEII Hospital.

This initiative reflects a shared commitment to enhancing surgical access, strengthening continuity of care and improving health outcomes for communities across Mount Isa and North West Queensland.

By bringing experienced surgeons directly to the region, the program ensures the long-term sustainability of local health services and reinforces collaboration between regional and metropolitan providers to deliver equitable, high-quality care.

“Through this collaboration, we have enhanced access to quality orthopaedic care, ensuring patients where suitable receive treatment closer to home and reinforcing our shared commitment to improving health outcomes across the region.” said Chief Operating Officer of North West HHS, Andrew Quabba.

“This model brings care closer to home, easing the burden of travel and reducing disruption to work and family life.”

Under the Clinical Services Capability Framework (CSCF), Mount Isa Hospital is classified as a Level 4 facility, making it the most remote of its kind in Australia.

The reinstatement of this service is in alignment with the North West HHS Clinical Services Plan 2022-2037, working towards the fulfillment of the services required to maintain this Level 4 classification.