News

Cairns Private Hospital to cater for even more FNQ patients with $18 million expansion

Nov 01, 2022

Cairns Private Hospital has announced an $18 million expansion, including the development of two new theatres, to cater for the demand for leading private health care in the region.

Construction is due to begin next month with the first new theatre to be operational in mid-2024. The expansion will also include a new state-of-the-art sterilising department.

Cairns Private Hospital CEO, Ben Tooth, said he expects the new theatres to be well utilised, with high demand for operating theatres in the region.

“We’re excited to expand our facility to allow even more Far North Queensland residents access to leading private health care,” Mr Tooth said.

“Cairns Private Hospital has experienced significant surgical growth since opening our seventh theatre four years ago, to the point that we’re even performing certain elective surgeries on Saturdays to cater for demand and to support specialist FIFO surgeons.

“I thank Ramsay Health Care for this investment in Cairns Private Hospital and the communities of Far North Queensland.”

The two new operating theatres will bring the total number at Cairns Private Hospital to nine. It is expected the new theatres will result in increased surgeries in specialties including ENT, orthopaedics, urology, plastics, vascular and general surgery.

Mr Tooth said alongside the investment in Cairns Private Hospital, Ramsay Health Care is also investing in its people.

“Like all industries, the health care workforce was hit hard by the pandemic, especially in regional and rural areas,” he said.

“Ramsay Health Care has been investing heavily in initiatives to attract, retain and upskill our health care workers to ensure we can continue to offer the best in patient care.

“This year we launched new training programs as part of the Ramsay Nursing and Midwifery Academy, which now offers training for undergraduates right through to nurse practitioners and nurses who want to go on to nursing management positions.

“We are committed to giving everyone at Cairns Private Hospital the opportunity to develop their career to ensure we can remain a leading provider of health care services in Far North Queensland.”