Cura Day Hospitals Group has reached practical completion on its purpose-built Noosa Day Hospital, with the facility scheduled to welcome its first patients today.
Located within the Noosa Specialist Medical Centre on Hofmann Drive, the new single-level facility features three operating theatres, supported by seven first-stage recovery beds and ten second-stage recovery recliner chairs.
The site also includes 130 open and undercover car parks, a dedicated patient drop-off zone, and ambulance bays.
Cura Day Hospitals Group Chief Executive Officer Peter Freeleagus described the completion as a significant milestone for the company and the local community, with the hospital filling an important gap in Noosa’s healthcare landscape.
“This is the first standalone multidisciplinary day hospital in Noosa, and it fills a genuine need for the town’s growing and ageing population where nearly 30 per cent of the population is aged 65 or older.”
Services offered at the hospital, including ophthalmology and gastroenterology procedures such as colonoscopies, are intended to keep essential health services within the local community rather than requiring residents to travel elsewhere for treatment.
Stephanie Adams, who recently commenced in the role of CEO and Director of Nursing for Noosa Day Hospital, said the new facility stands apart from other medical centres in Noosa because it was purpose-designed from the ground up rather than retrofitted into an existing building, incorporating current technology to create a more efficient environment for doctors, staff and patients.
Once fully operational, the hospital is expected to employ around 60 staff.
Many key clinical positions have already been filled, with recruitment for administrative and clinical roles continuing as the hospital ramps up operations.
Adams noted that a number of the new staff already live locally but had previously needed to travel outside the region to work in their chosen medical field, meaning the hospital will help retain skilled workers within the community.
Local commercial builder Integal Constructions was responsible for the majority of buildings within the Hofmann Drive-based Noosa Specialist Medical Centre, including the new day hospital.
Project Manager Mike Dawson said the development represents a total investment of $9.5 million in construction costs and involved around 200 workers throughout the build.
Dawson said the project involved coordinating numerous services and external contractors, adding: “It’s a real credit to our local team and contractors that we’ve achieved completion on time and within budget”.
All contractors engaged on the project were local businesses, including Carseldine Air Conditioning, Huff Electrical, BA Group Plumbing, Emrok Medical Gas, KPP QLD and Mode Architects.
Dawson said supporting local suppliers throughout construction ensured that money was kept within the Noosa community.
