South East Queensland is Australia's fastest-growing region, attracting an average of 55 000 new residents each year over the past two decades. As Queensland's population grows, so too does the demand for health services.

In addition to population growth, other factors, such as our increasing ageing population, advances in medical technology and the mounting burden of disease, all put significant pressure on our health infrastructure.

Queensland Health has embarked on a massive expansion of acute health services to meet the growing needs of those who call Queensland home, while also making sure our hospitals incorporate the latest technological advancements and offer patients the best clinical care available.

The cornerstones of these vital improvements are being laid in the form of three brand new state-of-the-art hospitals:

• Gold Coast University Hospital
• Queensland Children’s Hospital
• Sunshine Coast University Hospital

These major developments are only three of more than 100 capital works projects happening across the state to improve and support our communities' health services:

• Cairns Base Hospital redevelopment
• Mackay Base Hospital redevelopment
• Robina Hospital expansion
• Robina Health Precinct
• Townsville Hospital expansion

To assist with planning for future health service needs, Queensland Health is in the process of establishing health service plans across the state:

• Gladstone Hospital Health Services Review (final) (PDF 489kb)
• Bowen, Galilee and Surat Basins Health Services Plan Summar 2011–2021 (final) (PDF 371kb)
• Future health services for Gladstone and the Bowen, Galilee and Surat Basins (flyer) (PDF 265kb)

Queensland Health is also responsible for healthcare planning in emergencies and disasters:

• Cairns Base Hopsital Disaster Management Plan