New specialist clinic latest progress on the Cairns Hospital Rescue Plan

• The Crisafulli Government continues to progress the 64-bed Cairns Hospital Expansion project, with the practical completion of the respiratory, rheumatology and tuberculosis clinic now achieved.
• The new clinic will commence services before the end of the year and will now offer cardiopulmonary exercise testing. 
• This vital new and expanded service will ensure Far North Queenslanders can get the specialist support they need, closer to home.
• The Crisafulli Government is delivering easier access to health services to help end Labor’s Health Crisis.  

The Crisafulli Government is continuing to progress the first stage of the 64-bed Cairns Hospital Expansion, as it gets on with the job of delivering the $18.5 billion Hospital Rescue Plan. 
 
Far North Queenslanders living with respiratory, rheumatology and tuberculosis conditions will benefit from a new, purpose-built outpatient space at Cairns Hospital - a larger, modern and more accessible clinic that will make it easier for patients to get the care they need. 

It’s just one of the ways the Crisafulli Government is delivering easier access to health services and a fresh start for Queensland to help end Labor’s Health Crisis.  

As part of the Crisafulli Government’s Cairns Hospital Rescue Plan, the new clinic will commence services before the end of the year and will offer cardiopulmonary exercise testing. 
 
Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Tim Nicholls said the practical completion of the clinic was clear evidence the Crisafulli Government is keeping its promise to provide easier access to health services closer to home. 
 
“The relocated and expanded clinical space includes more consult rooms and treatment areas,” Minister Nicholls said. 

“The addition of a respiratory laboratory will, for the first time, offer cardiopulmonary exercise testing to assess exercise capacity and how well the heart and lungs function during exercise. 

“We’re delivering for Cairns - not only through this relocation, refurbishment and expansion project, but we're getting on with the job to fix Labor’s botched planning, which would have failed to deliver more beds and a much-needed surgical centre.” 

Member for Barron River Bree James said the latest progress was in stark contrast to Labor’s false statements that the Cairns Hospital Expansion has been paused. 

“The Crisafulli Government has delivered this first, and crucial, component of the 64-bed refurbishment project,” Ms James said. 
 
“These new clinics are a tangible improvement being delivered under the Hospital Rescue Plan for Cairns, giving the community an early glimpse of how this investment is transforming local healthcare.” 

Member for Mulgrave Terry James said the expanded space would streamline care and allow for more efficient and timely lung function testing. 

“Services like these new clinics are vital in supporting the health of Far North Queenslanders, ensuring people can get the specialist support they need,” Mr James said. 
 
Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service Chief Executive Leena Singh said the new design would improve patient experience and enhance clinical capability. 

“The expansion of the number of respiratory labs will improve access for patients requiring lung function testing for conditions such as asthma, emphysema, lung cancer and silicosis, or for those monitored for medication side effects or exposure to asbestos and silica dust,” Ms Singh said. 

The clinics will open on 22 December, providing more convenient access to appointments for patients and families.

ENDS 

MEDIA CONTACT: Emma Morton, 0410 657 890