QCH expansion project
A project is under way to expand the Queensland Children’s Hospital, including the fit out of a new ward on Level 12, and the refurbishment of part of an existing ward (11a) to deliver six dedicated beds for the oncology service.
By expanding the Queensland Children’s Hospital, we are preparing for future growth so we can continue to meet the healthcare needs of children and their families well into the future.
Fit out of new ward on Level 12 complete
Fit out of Ward 12a is now complete and was officially opened by the Health Minister Yvette D’Ath on Tuesday, 15 December 2020.
The new 29-bed orthopaedic and neurosurgical ward has mostly multi-bedrooms and includes a six-bed high-acuity unit for children requiring close observation, a physiotherapy room, two family spaces, expanded clean and dirty utility areas, multiple storage areas and nursing stations that allow for increased patient visibility.
Read the Ministerial media release
Watch the fly through below.
Expanded oncology service
As part of the hospital’s expansion, six rooms will be refurbished for oncology patients in Ward 11a, which is adjacent to the existing oncology ward (11b). The refurbishment of these rooms is now under way and will be complete in early-2021.
Our commitment to family-centred care
We value the views, experiences and contributions of our staff, patients and families in continuously improving our facilities and services.
The design of Ward 12a was developed in consultation with staff representatives across all levels of the hospital, as well as members of our established consumer groups, including the Family-Centred Care Committee and Family Advisory Council.
The location and design of the six new oncology rooms were decided in consultation with oncology patients and their families.
Working in partnership with the children, young people and families who use our services and the staff who work at the hospital is part of our commitment to continuous improvement and enhancing the overall experience for everyone at the Queensland Children’s Hospital.
Latest updates
First patients and families welcomed to Ward 12a
Tuesday, 15 December 2020
The first patients and families have been welcomed into the new 29-bed orthopaedic and neurosurgical ward on Level 12. The first patient in, 14-year-old patient Jade, helped Health Minister Yvette D’Ath (front left) officially open Ward 12a before settling into her new room. Pictured with the Minister and Jade at the opening are CHQ Executive Director Clinical Services QCH Dominic Tait (from left), Board Chair David Gow, Director General Dr John Wakefield, 12a NUM Krystle Southgate and Chief Executive Frank Tracey.
New ward on track to admit first patients by Christmas
September 2020
Queensland Deputy Premier and Minister for Health Steven Miles, and Member for South Brisbane Jackie Trad visited the Queensland Children’s Hospital to see how fit-out of the hospital’s new surgical ward on Level 12 is progressing. The future ward is fast taking shape, with floors being laid, walls being painted and cabinetry going in over the coming weeks. Work is on schedule and the ward on track to admit its first patients by Christmas.
Ronald McDonald House provides design inspiration
Thursday, 17 October 2019
As part of the detailed design process, the project team, architects and CHQ consumer representative Fiona Russo and her daughter Charlie (pictured), took a tour of Ronald McDonald House South Brisbane. The aim of the visit was to learn more about the building’s family-centred spaces and how some aspects of their design could be incorporated into the family spaces in our new ward.
Project moves into detailed design phase
Friday, 24 May 2019
The concept design phase for the new ward on Level 12 of the hospital is complete and the project has moved into the detailed design phase, which will confirm the proposed ward layout and clinical case mix. Extensive consultation with clinical leaders, frontline staff and consumers will continue throughout detailed design.
Third co-design series complete
Wednesday, 24 April 2019
The third co-design series for the design phase of the new ward on Level 12 has now concluded. Activities that took place included co-design workshops with consumers, clinical leads and frontline staff which will inform the service options and potential layout for the new ward.
Second co-design series complete
Tuesday, 9 April 2019
The second co-design series for the design phase of the new ward on Level 12 is complete. During this component, the team worked with executive management and clinical leaders to analyse hospital data and identify how many beds each specialty requires in the future. These insights will inform ongoing engagement to provide a high-level recommended service profile for Level 12.
First co-design series complete
Wednesday, 3 April 2019
The first of three co-design series for the design phase of the new ward on Level 12 is now complete. During this phase, consumers, frontline staff and clinical leaders came together to agree on a set of design principles for the new space and give their feedback on the strengths and opportunities to improve the current ward design. Thank you to all participants for their time, energy and openness in sharing their experiences and insights. Children’s Health Queensland staff also received an update on the status of the project at the monthly staff forum.
Consumers add insights during design phase
Monday, 18 March 2019
Active engagement with consumers is a priority during the design phase of the new ward on Level 12 of the QCH. Members of the project team today facilitated a workshop with students from the QCH School to help guide issues, needs and priorities to help inform planning recommendations for the new ward.
Staff and consumer workshops to help inform ward design
Friday, 15 March 2019
Two workshops were held this week with representatives of consumers and senior and frontline staff as part of ongoing design consultation. The feedback from these workshops will help the project team to finalise design principles to guide planning recommendations and explore the strengths and opportunities of the current ward design.
Consumer representatives appointed to co-design workshop groups
Monday, 11 March 2019
The Family Advisory Council were briefed on the aims of the first co-design workshops, which will begin this week. The goals of these workshops are to refine the design principles that will guide planning for the new ward, as well as explore the strengths and opportunities of the current ward design at the Queensland Children’s Hospital.
Staff engagement under way
Monday, 4 March 2019
QCH clinical leaders were briefed on the consultation approach which will involve gathering input from representatives across all levels of clinical and non-clinical streams, from senior clinicians to frontline staff. The project team provided an update to the Children’s Health Queensland all-staff forum.
Design phase consultation approach receives tick of approval from family-centred care representatives
Monday, 4 March 2019
The design phase of the hospital expansion project kicked off today with a briefing of the Family-Centred Care Committee, which provided useful feedback on the proposed consultation approach. Engagement will involve a series of workshops with senior clinical leaders, frontline staff and consumer representatives. The Committee and the Family Advisory Council will also provide input and guidance throughout the design phase of the project.
