Gold Coast gets health hub for the future

The new Gold Coast hospital is set to become a world-class health hub that will train the next generation of medics, and offer patients unparalleled health care expertise.

Health Minister Stephen Robertson said today that expressions of interest (EOIs) to build and operate a private hospital with capacity for 400 beds on the site, would be advertised from June 11.

“Nurses and doctors are the backbone of our health system,” Mr Robertson said.

“The new Gold Coast health precinct will train the next generation of nurses, GPs and consultants, and ensure that local patients are first in line to benefit.

“Having our public and private health practitioners working side-by-side in close proximity, will allow stronger, professional links to be forged.

“The new co-located private hospital on the GCUH site will ensure the very best specialist medical staff can be attracted, and retained, for the benefit of the Gold Coast community.”

The new services will include:

• Acute, and sub-acute, in-patient and day care facilities
• Operating theatres, delivery suites and procedure rooms
• Joint service delivery in areas such as cardiothoracic, renal, radiotherapy, sleep laboratories, obstetrics and neonatal care
• Private consulting rooms
• Private general practice and primary health care services, including out-of-hours provision
• Limited emergency care.

In the master planning for the site, a total of 72,000 square metres of land has been earmarked for the private hospital and medical consulting suites.

“Funding for the private hospital and medical consulting suites, including all operating costs, will be met by the successful private bidder,” Mr Robertson said.

“Not a single cent will be paid out of the public purse.

“This will deliver real benefits and real savings to Queensland taxpayers.

“The 750-bed public hospital will open its doors to patients by late 2012, and I anticipate the private hospital will be ready around the same time.”

From 14 June, Queensland Health will seek a private partner to provide a range of services in a co-located arrangement.

The successful proponent is expected to be known by early 2009.

Interested parties can request a copy of the bidders’ project criteria until Friday 27 June.

Tenders addressing the criteria must be submitted to Queensland Health by close of business, Friday 19 September.

MEDIA: Alison Brown (07) 3234 1185 / Mob 0458 449267