Australian-first operating theatre to boost surgery capacity at Townsville University Hospital 

• Construction is complete on a new hybrid operating theatre at Townsville University Hospital.
• The hybrid theatre will increase elective surgery capacity by more than 100 new procedures per month.
• It is a first-of-its-kind for Australia and one of world’s first to feature lateral movement of the ceiling mounted angiography medical imaging.  

The Crisafulli Government has delivered a new $17 million state-of-the-art operating theatre at Townsville University Hospital, combining surgical and medical imaging in a game-changing advancement for North Queenslanders. 

The new operating theatre has the potential to support more than 100 new procedures each month, helping to reduce elective surgery waitlists and deliver health services when Queenslanders need them.

The new hybrid operating theatre comes alongside the Hospital Rescue Plan’s Townsville University Hospital expansion project, which is set to deliver at least 165 new overnight beds and services including day surgery, operating theatres and a rehabilitation therapy unit. 

It is expected the theatre will go-live within weeks, once final operational commissioning work and clinical scenario testing is complete. 

Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Tim Nicholls said it was a significant leap forward for surgical services in Townsville and North Queensland. 

“After a decade of neglect under Labor in which waiting lists were allowed to balloon, this is a proud moment for healthcare in this State and a significant win for the Townsville community,” Minister Nicholls said.  

“The Crisafulli Government is committed to stabilising elective surgery waitlists and this amazing new surgical service will go a long way to help us do that. 

“This theatre will increase elective surgery capacity, reduce waiting times and ultimately lead to improved health outcomes for patients.” 

Member for Mundingburra Janelle Poole welcomed the new hybrid theatre, saying it would provide a much-needed boost to elective surgery capacity to help heal Labor’s Health Crisis. 

“North Queenslanders will directly benefit from this exciting new technology and expanded surgical capacity for the region,” Ms Poole said. 

Member for Thuringowa Natalie Marr said she was grateful her community would directly benefit from the exciting new technology. 

“This medical imaging capability means greater flexibility, wider imaging coverage, and safer environment for the patients and staff,” Ms Marr said.