Ipswich

Ipswich residents will have greater access to hospital and mental health services – with 200 more hospital beds available – following a $710 million funding boost from the Queensland Government. Early works and detailed design are underway in anticipation of commencing the main works construction of the Ipswich Hospital Expansion. Construction will start this year, which is expected to support 1,700 jobs and forecast to be complete by 2027, delivering the additional beds plus an expanded emergency department and more operating theatres. It also adds capacity for future development and improved staff facilities.

It follows the January 2024 opening of the Ipswich Hospital’s $104.6 million state-of-the-art Mental Health Acute Inpatient Service (MHAIS). This mental health facility boosts available bed numbers and provides a best practice setting for rehabilitation and recovery. The centre includes purpose-built spaces for adults, older and vulnerable people, and those who require more intensive clinical care. The completion of the MHAIS marks the completion of the $153.8 million Stage 1 Ipswich Hospital expansion program, which also included a 26-bed ward and refurbished space for allied health, oncology, and outpatient care, upgrades for renal and nephrology services, an emergency department expansion and a new MRI suite. The project is part of the Queensland Government’s Health Big Build, investing more than $14 billion delivering new and upgraded facilities right across the state including more than 3,300 additional hospital beds over six years.