Summary
North West Hospital and Health Service continues to enhance local healthcare.
Read the full report
North West Hospital and Health Service (North West HHS) has released its 2025–2026 Annual Report, highlighting enhanced community focused services, progress in advancing health equity and continued investment in infrastructure to support safe and sustainable healthcare.
Board Chair Tanya Arnold said the Board is committed to supporting the workforce and improving health outcomes. The staff’s dedication across every hospital, community and service to provide compassionate, high-quality care is remarkable.
“Throughout this financial year, our focus has remained unwavering: providing strong governance and strategic oversight to ensure our communities continue to receive safe, high-quality and sustainable healthcare.”
“As a Board, we remain committed to supporting our workforce, strengthening partnerships and improving health outcomes for the communities of North West Queensland.”
Highlights from the 2025-2026 year include:
- Grand opening of the new Normanton Hospital which supports the local community and the continued progress on the Normanton renal dialysis unit
- The introduction of a refreshed North West Health Equity Strategy 2025-2028
- Introduction of a new Chronic Disease Clinic in Dajarra to support early intervention and address gaps in local primary healthcare.
- Increased consumer feedback and engagement to improve localised healthcare
- Continued consultation and development for the new Yellagundgimarra Hospital in Doomadgee
- We worked closely with healthcare partners to deliver integrated care and advance regional initiatives in chronic disease prevention, rheumatic heart disease and workforce development.
Health Service Chief Executive, Andrew Quabba said the annual report demonstrates the work being done to expand services in communities and the priority of First Nations health equity.
“We are building a stronger, more connected and equitable health system for the North West Queensland,” said Mr Quabba.
“Our strong partnerships with community groups and local governments remain integral to improving health outcomes by addressing the social determinants of health and tackling the root cause of health inequity.”
North West HHS was recognised for the strength of these partnerships with the ‘Rural/Remote Multidisciplinary Collaboration of the Year’ award at the National Rural and Remote Health Awards. This recognised the success of our “All In! Driving Down RHD Rates in Remote First Nations Communities” initiative in collaboration with Orange Sky Australia, Mornington Shire Council, Doomadgee Aboriginal Shire Council, and North West Indigenous Community Social Services.
Strengthening relationships and collaboration remains a focus. Through the Western Queensland Joint Regional Health Needs Assessment 2025–2028, building on the 2024 Local Area Needs Assessment, we are ensuring regional health priorities and service gaps are clearly identified and reflected in strategic planning.
Embedding community voices in service planning is also a key priority, including working with communities and local partners to support community-led approaches to the planning and design of new infrastructure projects.
Together, these efforts have supported more coordinated and integrated healthcare delivery across the North West, while strengthening workforce development, education and service innovation to support sustainable healthcare into the future.