Hospital opens expanded Emergency Department
Premier Steven Miles with Robert Skelton at the Nambour Hospital with Mereana Harrod and son Jai 20mnths old from Bli Bli. Pic Annette Dew, office of the Premier.
Nambour General Hospital’s newly redeveloped Emergency Department (ED) was officially opened on Friday, marking the completion of an $86 million upgrade aimed at significantly boosting healthcare services on the Sunshine Coast.
The expanded ED now includes 44 beds, featuring acute, short-stay, and ‘fast-track’ beds, as well as three resuscitation bays. A dedicated paediatric treatment zone has also been introduced to enhance care for children.
The upgrade, which nearly doubles the hospital's capacity to 255 beds, comes as part of a broader effort to meet the growing healthcare needs of the region. The new facilities are expected to help manage increasing patient numbers, providing improved access to emergency care for residents of Nambour and the surrounding areas.
Nicklin MP Rob Skelton, who joined Queensland Premier Steven Miles for the official opening, highlighted the significance of the project for the local community. "Better access to healthcare for the Sunshine Coast and Hinterland areas is crucial.
The expansion of the emergency department and the increase in hospital beds are important steps in ensuring our region is well-served," Mr Skelton said.
Since its soft opening in June, the new ED has already treated more than 8,500 patients, including 1000 children. The facility also features a new triage area with private assessment rooms designed to improve patient flow and offer greater privacy when needed.
Premier Steven Miles noted that the expansion was part of a wider initiative to deliver more healthcare services closer to home. "We’re building a hospital that will serve the community’s needs now and as it continues to grow," he said.
The redevelopment of Nambour General Hospital is seen as a key component in addressing the healthcare demands of the Sunshine Coast, with the area’s population expected to grow by 11 percent by 2036.
As the final phase of the hospital’s broader redevelopment, the new ED is expected to play a vital role in ensuring the region’s healthcare infrastructure keeps pace with its needs.
Residents are also being encouraged to support the call for further investment in local healthcare, with Skelton advocating for the establishment of a Satellite Hospital on the Sunshine Coast to complement the recent upgrades.