Construction of the new Toowoomba Hospital at the Baillie Henderson Hospital campus in Cranley is officially underway.The ceremonial sod turning event was held last Friday and was attended by politicians and health department figures.

The new hospital will deliver additional emergency treatment spaces, including medical imaging, pharmacy and pathology services, as well as administration, education and training facilities for hospital staff.

The construction of the hospital is estimated to support more than 3,000 local construction jobs.

Completion is expected in the second half of 2027.

Darling Downs Health Board Chair Dr Dennis Campbell said each year, almost 160,000 people attend the region’s emergency departments, there are over 230,000 outpatient appointments and almost 3,000 babies are born.

The new Toowoomba Hospital will increase our capacity and capability in providing care to our diverse communities,” Dr Campbell said.

Also at the site is the new $42 million Bunya Day Surgery, which has been open for the past few weeks.

It includes two new theatres that will provide capacity for an additional 4,000 surgeries annually.

Since opening its doors last month, more than 30 patients have already received treatment and the service will provide the ability to deliver simple procedures that eradicate the need for a hospital stay.

This article appeared in On Our Selection News, 9 May 2024.