Townsville Hospital and Health Service chief executive Kieran Keyes has resigned after eight years leading North Queensland’s largest health provider.
Board Chair Tony Mooney accepted the resignation “with regret”, praising Keyes’ calm leadership through COVID, the 2019 and 2025 floods, and major expansions in paediatrics, cancer care and surgical services. Keyes described his time in the role as “a pleasure and privilege”, thanking staff and the community for their support.
But his departure comes as Queensland Health prepares to release a Part 9 investigation into serious failings inside Townsville University Hospital’s urology clinic — where more than 200 patients, including cancer patients, missed critical follow‑ups. Keyes previously acknowledged that some patients would die as a result of the failures.
Deputy Director‑General Peta Bryant will step in as interim chief executive from July 20 while a national recruitment process begins.
