Construction nears on Ipswich Hospital expansion

• Stage 2 of the Ipswich Hospital expansion project is progressing with early works commencing in parallel with the detailed design, ahead of main construction commencing later this year.
• The $710 million project will benefit patients by providing upgraded services and infrastructure, including 200 new beds and a new and expanded emergency department, by the end of 2027.
• Ipswich Hospital Expansion Stage 2 is a vital project in the Miles Labor Government’s almost $14 billion Health Big Build, delivering new and expanded hospitals and health service infrastructure.

Patients at Ipswich Hospital are one step closer to improved healthcare, with the $710 million expansion project progressing to Stage 2.

This stage will see the construction of a purpose-built, multi-story acute services building at Ipswich Hospital. The building will house:

• 200 new beds
• A new and expanded emergency department
• Additional operating theatres
• A satellite medical imaging service
• A central sterilisation service
• Back-of-house services
• Shell spaces for future development

Stage 1 of the expansion is nearing completion, with the demolition of the former mental health building and the detailed design for Stage 2 underway.

Early works for Stage 2 are slated to begin in April, paving the way for the main construction phase later this year. The project is expected to be completed by late 2027.

This project is part of the Miles Labor Government’s record-breaking $14 billion Health Big Build, under Queensland’s Big Build initiative.

The plan to deliver new and expanded hospitals helps ensure continued access to world-class healthcare for rapidly growing regions – boosting capacity through expansions to 11 existing hospitals, building three new hospitals, seven satellite and building a dedicated cancer centre.

Queensland’s Health Big Build is delivering over 3,300 additional hospital beds, including 199 in 2023 and 239 in 2024.

Quotes attributable to Premier Steven Miles: 

“Our doctors, nurses and health staff do a fantastic job managing the thousands of people that go through our hospitals every day.

“It’s why we are investing in the infrastructure they need to do their best work.

“In Ipswich, almost 20,000 people visit the hospital’s emergency department in the last quarter of 2023 (October, November, December).

“And as the region continues to grow, that number will continue to grow which makes this massive expansion project so important.

“My government will continue to act on the feedback of patents and our clinicians to improve access to healthcare in the Ipswich community, because every Queenslander deserves quality care close to home. 

“I can’t wait to see Stage 2 get underway, supporting 1,700 good construction jobs in the process.”

Quotes attributable to Minister for Health, Mental Health, and Ambulance Services Shannon Fentiman:

“This is an exciting time for the rapidly growing community here in Ipswich as well as our hard-working frontline health staff.

“The second stage of the expansion will see 200 additional beds built, delivering enhanced care for West Moreton residents across a range of health services.

“Our government is proud to be delivering the health infrastructure Queensland needs, no matter where they live.”

Quotes attributable to Member for Ipswich Jennifer Howard: 

“This is a fantastic news for our Ipswich community.

“I’m so proud to be part of the Miles Labor Government and to be delivering on what matters most to the people of Ipswich.”  

Quotes attributable to Member for Bundamba Lance McCallum: 

“This new facility will be a game changer for the delivery of healthcare across our region.

“Our health staff do a fantastic job day in and day out and this new purpose-built and modern facility will allow them to continue delivering their worldclass healthcare for generations to come.”

Quotes attributable to Member for Jordan Charis Mullen: 

“We know our region is growing rapidly, so I know this news is very welcome for many in our community.

“The health and wellbeing of Queenslanders is one of our top priorities and this expansion shows just that.”

Quotes attributable to the West Moreton Health Board Chair Michael Willis:

“The West Moreton region is the fastest growing in the state and we are committed to ensuring we have health service available to meet that demand, close to home.

“We have already opened new facilities such as Ripley Satellite Hospital and the Mental Health Acute Inpatient Service in recent times, and the Ipswich Hospital Stage 2 Expansion is another key project.

“With Ipswich Hospital busier than ever before, it is vital we can continue to meet the growing healthcare demands of the community.

“The hospital expansion will allow us to do this not just in the short-term, but in the decades to come.

“We’re excited to grow as a health service and I’m looking forward to seeing the expansion take shape later this year.”

ENDS