Queensland Health is building a new $1.549 billion, 750-bed tertiary hospital at Parklands Drive Southport, with doors set to open in late 2012. The architectural team for the hospital is a joint venture between PDT Architects, Silver Thomas Hanley and Hassell called GCUH Architecture.

The vision for this new hospital is to offer an exceptional public health care facility providing safe and quality patient care, within an innovative teaching and research environment.

The new Gold Coast University Hospital will be purpose-built and designed to meet the needs of the growing Gold Coast community. Flexibility has been incorporated into the design of the hospital allowing for future expansion in line with the changing and growing health needs of this community.

The new hospital will offer the local community a wider range of more complex services than ever before. It will be equipped as a teaching hospital for medical, nursing and allied health students, and will also encompass research facilities on-site.

To ensure the hospital can meet the needs of future generations, there is enough space on-site for future expansion as demand for services change and grow. The hospital will be within walking distance of the planned Gold Coast Rapid Transit System and Griffith University, providing ease of access for patients, staff, students and visitors.

The 750-bed facility will be equipped with up-to-date technology enabling staff to offer quality clinical care to patients. The hospital will be equipped with teaching amenities and will collaborate with nearby educational institutions to foster an active learning environment.

The new hospital will provide:

• improved patient privacy
• areas for family and friends to take time out
• students and staff with easy access to areas for learning and study.

The hospital will be built on a 15.5 hectare site on the corner of Olsen Avenue and Parklands Drive, and be accessible by road via the Smith Street Motorway and Olsen Avenue, which connects to the north-south arterial Southport-Nerang Road.