$710m Ipswich Hospital expansion a step closer to beginning main construction

The second stage of the $710 million Ipswich Hospital expansion project will soon commence, taking patients a step closer to having improved healthcare services. 

Stage 1 of the hospital expansion is near completion, with the demolition of the former mental health building, while design for Stage 2 is carried out. 

“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 patients 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,” Premier Steven Miles said. 

The next stage of the project will include the construction of a new purpose-built, multi-story acute services building that will feature: 

• 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 

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

“Our government is proud to be delivering the health infrastructure Queensland needs, no matter where they live,” Minister for Health, Mental Health, and Ambulance Services Shannon Fentiman said. 

“This is 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,” Member for Ipswich Jennifer Howard said. 

Early works are expected to begin next month, and this will pave the way for the main construction phase of the project scheduled to commence later this year. 

The expansion of Ipswich Hospital is due to be completed by late 2027. 

“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 world-class healthcare for generations to come,” Member for Bundamba Lance McCallum said. 

“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,” Member for Jordan Charis Mullen said. 

This project is part of the Queensland Government’s record-breaking $14 billion Health Big Build, under Queensland’s Big Build initiative, which aims to deliver new and expanded hospitals to help ensure Queenslanders have continued access to world-class healthcare. 

Queensland’s Health Big Build will boost the capacity of healthcare services through the expansion of 11 existing hospitals as well as construction of three new hospitals, seven satellite facilities and a dedicated cancer centre. 

The initiative is delivering 3,300 additional hospital beds, including 199 in 2023 and 239 in 2024. 

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

“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,” West Moreton Health Board Chair Michael Willis said. 

Source: Queensland Government – Media Statements; Build Australia; Australia New Zealand Infrastructure Pipeline