An artist’s rendering of the new Cairns Health Innovation and Surgical Centre
Summary
The Cairns Hospital Expansion is Far North Queensland’s largest single health investment in history, on track to deliver more health services to the region.
As part of the expansion, the new Cairns Health Innovation and Surgical Centre will increase surgical capacity and position Cairns as a regional hub for health care, education and research.
Donna Kreuter, Nurse Unit Manager of the Clinical Trials Unit, and her team will move into the new Surgical Centre once it's complete.
She said the Cairns Hospital Expansion means more opportunities for patients to take part in world-leading research and clinical trials, closer to home.
“This will open up opportunities for patients in Cairns to access clinical trials they haven’t previously been able to take part in locally, including Phase 1 trials that may have required them to travel down south,” Donna said.
“It’s about building on what we already do really well. With more space and better facilities, we’ll be able to grow our clinical trials program and offer more to our patients.
“For our staff, it’s really exciting to have these world-class facilities to work in. It will give our teams greater exposure to clinical trials and more opportunities to be involved in innovative research.”
The new Clinical Trials Unit will include eight overnight beds designed for high-end clinical research, helping expand the hospital’s clinical trials program into Phase 1 and 2 studies, including testing new treatments and therapies.
Contractors confirmed for next stage of Cairns Hospital master plan
CPB Contractors and Hansen Yuncken will deliver the Cairns Health Innovation and Surgical Centre by 2031 as well as the new, extreme weather rated rooftop helipad in 2027 and design and enabling works for the multi-storey staff car park.
Backed by a more than $1 billion investment, the expansion will bring together healthcare, education, research, administration, retail and public spaces to serve the region for decades to come.
What is being built at the new precinct
Stage 1 comprises:
- A new Health Innovation and Surgical Centre, including at least 40 new beds, four new operating theatres, 16 day surgery spaces, a specialist outpatient department, clinical trials facilities and simulation and training spaces;
- A Health Management Hub;
- A new multi-storey staff car park adjacent to existing Cairns Hospital facilities with approximately 950 spaces;
- A new extreme weather-rated rooftop helipad on the existing Block D;
- Expansion of support services such as medical imaging, pathology, pharmacy, sterilising and a new kitchen to support the expanding hospital.
Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service Chief Executive Leena Singh said the precinct would expand the physical footprint and set up the health service for the next 30 years.
“Bringing care, research, and education together under one roof will help us attract and retain health professionals to the region,” Ms Singh said.
“For the community, this modern, accessible hub will make a positive difference to the way they continue to access health care locally.”