The $86 million redevelopment of the Sunshine Coast’s traditional hospital is set to be completed this year, and it’s expected to provide patients with contemporary and efficient health care.
The final stage of the Nambour General Hospital upgrade, including work on a purpose-built emergency department, is underway.
The hospital, which started operating in the 1920s, was the largest and primary referral healthcare centre in the region until the opening of the Sunshine Coast University Hospital in 2017.
It was announced, in 2018, that it would get a makeover. Work started in 2020 and is now nearing completion.
A Sunshine Coast Health spokesperson said the new-look hospital would include a variety of enhanced services.
Do you have an opinion to share? Submit a Letter to the Editor at Sunshine Coast News via news@sunshinecoastnews.com.au. You must include your name and suburb.
“The Nambour General Hospital Redevelopment Project aims to optimise the utilisation of the existing building infrastructure by consolidating services and refurbishing existing areas,” they said.
“The project will benefit the community by increasing bed capacity (and) improving access and coordination of health services at the hospital.”
The redevelopment features:
- increased capacity of emergency care;
- more beds for mental health patients;
- increased capacity of wards for surgical and medical patients;
- a new same-day rehabilitation unit;
- a new rehabilitation inpatient ward;
- a new purpose-built space for the renal dialysis unit;
- relocation and refurbishment of cancer care services, including same-day medical infusions and chemotherapy;
- expansion and co-location of short-stay wards to improve patient flow;
- a new courtyard and drop-off zone located near the emergency department; and
- a new kitchen.
“The redevelopment will provide contemporary healthcare settings for patients,” the spokesperson said.
“Clinical and operational support areas have been modernised and designed for increased efficiency.”
Departments and units that were revamped between 2021 to 2023 include the Renal Unit, Mental Health Units, Medical Imaging Department, Central Sterilising Unit, Rehabilitation Units and Cancer Care Services. The refurbishment of kitchen and staff dining areas was also completed.
Some key areas of the hospital are being redone this year, to wrap up the project.
“Work is currently underway on the final stage of the redevelopment, which includes the purpose-built emergency department, courtyard and patient drop-off zone,” the spokesperson said.
Construction and real estate company Lendlease was appointed as the managing contractor for the project in 2018.
Sunshine Coast News received an email from a citizen who suggested the company had “allegedly pulled out of the upgrade”.
But the Sunshine Coast Health spokesperson assured SCN that the business was still involved.
“They remain the managing contractor during the construction phase,” they said.
The spokesperson said the redevelopment was being done in a manner that ensured patients could still access services.
“Construction works have been staged to have minimal impact on the day-to-day operations of the hospital,” they said.
Plans for a regional hospital were formed in the 20th century and construction ramped up after World War I, with state government funding and community fundraising.
The site on Blackall Terrace was selected in 1924 and work started in earnest on the Maroochy District Hospital in 1925. It opened in 1930.
The hospital has been expanded and upgraded at various times, and was essentially redeveloped in 1975.
It served as the main hospital in the region for decades and is the birthplace of many prominent Queenslanders.
Like stories that inform, connect and celebrate the Sunshine Coast? So do we. Join an independent local news revolution by subscribing to our FREE daily news feed at the bottom of this article.
