The Palaszczuk Government has launched planning for a rapid expansion of the Emergency Department (ED) of The Prince Charles Hospital (TPCH) and a major redevelopment and expansion of the hospital.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Steven Miles said the projects will future proof TPCH for expected demand growth in the region, and will include a combination of both refurbishment and new build.
“These projects will ensure the hospital continues to meet the current and future health needs of the Brisbane northside’s growing population,” Mr Miles said.
“The ED expansion project will address the projected increase in ED presentations with more adult and paediatric treatment spaces, including resuscitation.
“It will also provide critical growth in adult and paediatric short stay bed capacity, as well as an expansion of paediatric outpatient capacity.
“The planning for the major redevelopment and expansion of the hospital will investigate ways to address the growing demand on the hospital in the medium to longer term.
“This major redevelopment and expansion project will increase bed capacity and surgery capacity in line with the detailed health service planning for the facility.”
Member for Aspley Bart Mellish said the projects would maintain and enhance equitable local access to adult and paediatric ED services as well as continuing to provide the specialist cardiac services the hospital is renowned for.
“The population around TPCH is projected to skyrocket across all age groups, with the largest projected percentage growth being for people over 70,” Mr Mellish said.
“The ED project will address the projected increase in ED presentations for adults and children and will improve safety, quality, outcomes and patient experience within the ED.
“It will also mean local jobs that will support our plan to Unite and Recover for Queensland,” he said.
TPCH is a 630-bed major referral hospital, which provides care over a broad range of specialties, while also delivering specialised cardiac and thoracic services for Queensland.
The Palaszczuk Government is committing funding of $3 million for the preliminary business cases for the rapid expansion of the ED and the major redevelopment and expansion of the hospital.
