Milestone for new Sunshine Coast Hospital

The $1.8 billion Sunshine Coast Public University Hospital is one step closer to completion with the final slab poured on the hospital’s main building today.

Health Minister Cameron Dick said the Queensland Government project will help address the growing health needs of the Sunshine Coast and Gympie communities when it opens in late 2016. 

“This was an important project for this region, and it is the first new major, not replacement, public hospital to be built in Australia in more than 20 years,” he said.

“The 164,000m² main hospital building forms the centre of the new hospital, and is split over six functional levels, plus roof top plant rooms and helipad.  

“The building will ultimately house emergency, medical, cancer, renal, intensive care, obstetric, paediatric and clinical support services, as well as the 450 inpatient beds.”

Mr Dick said the new hospital, which has been constructed by a team of 600 workers, will service the growing population of the Sunshine Coast.

“We’re refocusing the health system on the delivery of quality care, and this new hospital will shape the future of healthcare in the Sunshine Coast and Gympie regions,” he said.

Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Board Chair Emeritus Professor Paul Thomas AO said the new hospital meant residents would have greater access to healthcare than ever before.

“It brings range of new and enhanced free public hospital services that will help us better meet the needs of our growing community,” Prof Thomas said.

“Once completed, this campus will be a centre of excellence in healthcare, ensuring better patient outcomes and better health outcomes for our community.”

Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Service Chief Executive Kevin Hegarty said the Sunshine Coast Public University Hospital represented a once-in-a-generation opportunity for the region.

“The Sunshine Coast Public University Hospital will bring new clinical capability, new capacity, new workforce and an increase in self-sufficiency in health care on the Sunshine Coast,” Mr Hegarty said.

“The new hospital will form part of the network of services provided by the SCHHS, focussing on tertiary services for Sunshine Coast and Gympie residents, as well as people from outside the region such as Wide Bay. 

“When Sunshine Coast Public University Hospital is complete, it is estimated that up to 10,000 patients each year will no longer have to travel to Brisbane for complex treatment.”

General Manager of Lend Lease’s Building business in Queensland, Tony Orazio acknowledged the efforts of the Lend Lease team, contractors and construction workers involved in the structural completion. 

“We’re thrilled to celebrate this milestone and extremely proud of the hard work and dedication of the many contractors and their teams who have worked on this building since April 2013,” Mr Orazio said.

“Completion of the main building structure transitions us to the next phase of the project, where construction workers will grow from the current 1,200 onsite to 1,800 mid-year, across trades like structure, services and finishes – all who will help bring the building to completion,” he said.

ENDS

Media Contact: Suellen Hinde (07) 3035 6117