Gold Coast University Hospital - GCUH

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Gold Coast University Hospital - GCUH

GCUH provides specialised health services that meet the needs of patients as well as the learning re

As one of Australia's fastest growing cities and most popular tourist destinations, the Gold Coast required a facility that could incorporate flexibility into the design to allow for future expansion. The Gold Coast University Hospital (GCUH) is a highly efficient design with capacity to change and grow to meet future health service needs of the community. Delivering a structure the scale of the G

old Coast University Hospital required a number of detailed planning and design stages. This process commenced back in 2005 and encompasses health service delivery, design and construction. The facility is comprised of seven main buildings, with a total floor space of around 170,000 square metres (excluding car parks). To help you visualise just how large this is, the total floor space of the existing Gold Coast Hospital in Southport is around 54,000 square metres in comparison - around one third of the size of GCUH. The Clinical Services and Clinical Support building connect with the two Inpatient Units, forming the main complex. There are nine levels in the main complex, topped with a helicopter landing site. At a glimpse

- Clinical services and clinical support building (nine levels)
- Two inpatient units
- Pathology and education building (four levels)
- Mental Health Unit
- Western car park (with an Eastern car park as a future initiative)
- Central Energy Plant

02/09/2026

Our Spinal Cord Injury Liaison Service (SCILS) team brightened up the Gold Coast University Hospital forecourt as they marked Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Week with community partners, colleagues and consumers.

Since 2023, the small but mighty team has been supporting spinal cord injury patients from acute treatment to rehabilitation and recently celebrating their 1000th referral. 👏

📸 Pictured here are SCILS Clinical Nurse Consultant Matt, Physiotherapist Alexandra and Occupational Therapist Liam with leading disability advocate Perry Cross.

"The spinal cord injury community is such a generous, tightknit group on the Gold Coast and it's an absolute privilege to work within it," Alexandra said.

Thanks to the Perry Cross Spinal Research Foundation for their ongoing support of this annual event.

01/09/2026

Nothing warms our hearts quite like seeing our littlest patients thrive after leaving hospital. 💗

Rorie was born in January at 25 weeks gestation and spent 94 days with us in our Neonatal Care Unit.

We got to see her recently when she came in for eye surgery to correct her retinopathy (where abnormal blood vessels grow and develop in the retina). She stayed overnight in our Children’s Critical Care Unit, and we couldn’t get enough of her. 🥰

Mum and dad said Rorie is a happy little girl who is reaching all her milestones, while keeping her parents on her toes!

“We can’t thank Gold Coast Health enough for everything they’ve done for our family this year,” mum Alysha said.

“Nothing is ever a bother for the staff and they are always such a pleasure. They are amazing.” ❤️

30/08/2026

With 15 years of nursing experience and a passion for improving patient care, Nurse Practitioner Lucy is now making an even bigger mark in the Emergency Department (ED).

Recently awarded the Emergency Medicine Foundation (EMF) Kellie Furey Memorial Research Grant, Lucy is now leading a research project aimed at better supporting patients with palliative care needs who present to the ED.

“We know the ED isn't necessarily the ideal place for palliative care, but it's happening and it's becoming more common as demand increases,” Lucy said.

“We're looking at how we can better support patients who may be struggling at home or experiencing a crisis and then come into the emergency department, and how we can strengthen the care and support we provide to them.”

Working alongside colleagues from GCUH, Metro North Health and QUT (Queensland University of Technology), the team hopes to identify ways to improve continuity of care and better understand patient experiences.

Congratulations on this outstanding achievement, Lucy. 👏

28/08/2026

“Flat white, two sugars?” ☕️

It’s probably not what you expect to hear on your way to cardiac theatre, but for Operating Theatre Assistant Timothy, a little humour can make a frightening morning feel slightly less scary.

For 13 years, Tim has worked across Gold Coast Health, from cleaning and ward services to his current role in cardiac theatre.

He knows how the room needs to be set up, where the equipment belongs and the little things that help a busy theatre team get on with the job.

But it is the moments with patients that stay with him.

“You’re seeing someone on what could be the worst day they’ve had,” Tim said.

“Anything I can do to make their little journey with me a little bit better, I just feel like that’s the least I can do.”

Kudos to you, Tim! Thank you for making patients days a little brighter. ☀️

27/08/2026

Once upon a time on the paediatric ward... our nurses became the characters from their favourite books! 📖💫

From Where's Wally 👀 to Bluey 🐕, Book Week was a hit for our little patients.

A good story can brighten any day and it definitely brightened ours!

25/08/2026

The Complex Management Unit (CMU) has found a new home in H Block at Gold Coast University Hospital. 🏥

In the new space, natural light, wide walkways and calming views are an intentional element of patient care.

Patients pause at windows to watch the world outside, take extra steps down the corridor, or settle in front of a TV channel of their choice.

Those small moments add up to improved patient wellbeing.

For staff, the move has created space to personalise care and truly focus on what each patient needs to get home (or to the right next place) safely and with dignity.

23/08/2026

From building houses to building a career in nursing, Aaron's journey has been anything but ordinary.

Originally planning to complete his graduate year in a different unit, a last-minute COVID placement change brought him to the Transfer Unit as the team’s first Newly Qualified Nurse (graduate). Four years later, he’s still here.

"I've had a pretty good life and wanted to give back," Aaron said on his decision to become a nurse.

“I had some friends who were studying nursing at the time and I liked what they had to say about it, so I decided to give it a go, too.”

And why has he stayed in the unit?

“It’s the team,” he said.

“They make it a great place to work. I love the spontaneity of this job, there are always lots of different things happening, you have to problem-solve a lot, and we have a great team as well."

We're so lucky to have Aaron as part of our Transfer Unit family. 💙

22/08/2026

Congratulations to Liz Vansleve on winning this year’s People’s Choice Award for her wonderful photo “Reflections”. 👏📸

Amongst some tough competition, Liz won over the public with her beautifully composed black and white image of a gum tree and its reflection.

The Gold Coast Photographic Society’s exhibition in the GCUH foyer celebrates World Photography Day and the amazing talents of our local photographers. It will remain on display until next Thursday so make sure you catch a look before then!

21/08/2026

Our Newborn Care Unit is proudly taking part in the Readathon from 14 to 24 August, and we only have a few days to go!

Each year, neonatal units across Australia participate in the Read-a-thon, coordinated by Life's Little Treasures Foundation and The Australasian Nidcap Training Centre, encouraging families and staff to read to babies and support early development through the power of stories. 📖

"Reading to babies is much more than sharing a story," Acting Clinical Nurse Consultant Teena said.

"Research shows even very premature babies can recognise and respond to their parents' voices. Hearing a familiar voice through reading may provide comfort and positive sensory stimulation during a baby's NICU journey. Parents tell us they love this activity because it gives them a meaningful way to be involved in their baby's care while sharing special moments together."

Throughout the Readathon, staff and families have been reading to our littlest and logging their reading minutes. The enthusiasm has been incredible, and we are aiming to clock 1,000 reading minutes and be among the top-performing Newborn Care Units in Australia!

A big thank you to our sponsors for all the book donations. 💗

Gold Coast Hospital Foundation

20/08/2026

"For us, this is about showing our patients that we stand beside them - not just at the bedside, but beyond it as well. "

Haematology and Medical Oncology Clinical Nurse Consultant (CNC) Lorretta and Medical Registrar Dr Shabnam are braving a cold dip in light of Daffodil Day, a chance to raise awareness for cancer.

"Cancer impacts so many lives, our patients, their families, our friends, our colleagues and even ourselves," Lorretta said.

"We see firsthand just how much cancer can change someone's life. We also see the incredible strength, courage and resilience of our patients as they navigate diagnosis, treatment and everything else that comes with it."

Dr Shabnam can testify to this personally.

"I’ve seen cancer from many different sides — as a patient, a loved one, and a doctor caring for people throughout different stages of their cancer journey," she said.

"It’s a reminder that cancer doesn’t just affect the person diagnosed; its impact ripples through families, friends and entire communities. This challenge is my small way of standing with everyone impacted by cancer, while raising funds and awareness for a future with more hope."

We will be cheering you both on! 💛🌼

Address

1 Hospital Boulevard
Southport, QLD
4215

Telephone

+611300744284

Website

https://www.goldcoast.health.qld.gov.au/

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