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

18/03/2026

🕊️Pia's gift 🤍

Our Children's Critical Care team are honoured to receive the Pegaso Cough Assist machine donated by AJ - the mother of our former patient, Pia.

Pia lived with Rett Syndrome - a rare genetic neurological disorder affecting movement, communication, and cognitive abilities. Tragically, she passed away last year, but her wonderful mother continues her legacy every day.

The machine is incredibly valuable for our physios. The team use it to help provide critical cough assistance therapy by simulating a natural cough to clear the airway and lungs of respiratory secretions.

Pictured here is the machine with Pia (doll version!).

Thank you, AJ, for your generosity and strength - Pia's gift will support so many paediatric patients. 💜

17/03/2026

At 23+1 weeks mum Alysha had a premature rupture of membranes (PROM), meaning baby Rorie tried to make her entrance a bit too early.

Thankfully Rorie stayed put and Alysha was put on bed rest for two weeks until Rorie decided it was time to meet the world very loudly... mum lost 800ml of blood and developed an infection in the placenta.

Alysha had an emergency caesarean and Rorie was born en caul (where a baby is born inside the intact amniotic sac) at 25+5 weeks.

Thankfully both mum and bub are now doing well in the NICU - Rorie is 32 weeks and getting cuter by the day!

We love watching her grow bigger and stronger every day. 💫💪

16/03/2026

When we say every team member in the Emergency Department (ED) has a role to play, we mean it.

Here are a few of the life-saving faces of one of our RESUS teams (it changes every day) who are the first to respond when a critical emergency comes through the doors.

There can be a room full of staff each having a set role to make sure everything goes as smoothly as possible.

Here are just a few of the team involved in the action. 💥

15/03/2026

Ashley Sturgeon is a Nurse Unit Manager (NUM) and there’s no hiding the smile on her dial when she talks about team she manages within one of our specialist mental health wards at Gold Coast University Hospital (GCUH). 😁

“I love helping staff get the most out of their own jobs,” Ashley reflected about her role within the Orchid Unit, which cares for people aged 65 and older.

“I love that I get to look after everybody and that team members feel like they can come to me. My office door opens non-stop and my phone is always ringing," she said about her team of around 50 staff.

That compassion extends to the older people who receive care at Orchid Unit.

“The emotional connection is massive because some of our consumers don’t have people visit them," Ashley said.

"In some cases we can be the closest thing to family they have, so we do our best to make their time with us as comfortable as possible.”

Thanks for everything you do, Ashley. 💖

14/03/2026

Today is a very special day - it's baby Kaiden's 100-day birthday! 🎈🎂

Little man was born in December at just 24 weeks weighing 590 grams.

"He's kicking goals quietly and has pulled through a lot," mum and dad said. 🥰

"We're really proud of him, and grateful for the neonatal team here who have been so supportive through this journey."

We second that! Happy 100 days, Kaiden - great to see you're getting enough tummy time. 🤭

13/03/2026

🌱 Starting a nursing career is a big moment and for new graduate Laura, her first days in the Geriatric Evaluation and Management (GEM) Unit have been filled with learning, support and excitement.

Located in the newly opened H Block inpatient building at Gold Coast University Hospital, the GEM Unit is designed to support older adults with complex needs through a calm, team-based approach to care. The purpose-built space brings together specialist staff focused on helping patients recover, maintain independence and transition safely back home or to the right care setting.

After two weeks of orientation and simulation training, Laura said the welcoming environment and strong team support have helped build her confidence as she begins her nursing journey.

The opening of the GEM Unit is backed by a strong workforce model, with a large cohort of new staff joining the service alongside experienced clinicians transitioning into H Block, creating a supportive and well-balanced team environment.

💬 “The GEM Unit is welcoming, and the training has helped me feel supported as I build my skills," Laura said.

"I’m really looking forward to learning and growing as a nurse here.”

💙 Supporting the next generation of nurses means creating modern spaces, strong teams and services like the GEM Unit where people can learn, grow and deliver great care from day one.

12/03/2026

Be honest… how much sleep did you get last night? 😴

It’s World Sleep Day and we’re here to remind you that good sleep is not a luxury - it is one of the foundations of good health.

“Sleep is one of the most powerful tools we have for improving health, performance and overall wellbeing,” Gold Coast Health Respiratory and Sleep Physician Dr Daniel Bird said.

“The good news? A great sleep is free, and it’s generally within your control.”

Check our Dr Bird’s tips to sleep better 👇

🌙 Give your body time to wind down properly
🍽 Stop eating 3-4 hours before bed
❄️ Keep it cool and dim
📱 Cut the blue light
💨 Try breathwork to slow your system

“Better sleep can be transformative, and when you help one person sleep well, the benefits often flow through the rest of the household," Dr Bird said.

11/03/2026

TW: newborn loss

You never forget the kindness of a healthcare worker. 💗

Tahlia suffered a rare pregnancy complication called complete uterine rupture in October 2024. This resulted her daughter being born prematurely at 33+4 weeks and tragically passing away three days later.

She met Dr Sally months later during a phone call for a debrief further down the track. They came up with a plan for Tahlia to hopefully have a safe and healthy pregnancy years later.

"Although that was the plan, we were surprised with a pregnancy only five months later," Tahlia said.

"Sally provided the most compassionate, empathetic and wholesome care throughout the darkest days of my life and kept me going every day with a pregnancy that was terrifying."

We're overjoyed to confirm Tahlia has welcomed a beautiful baby boy - pictured here with the amazing Dr Sally.

"She is truly one of the best obstetricians a woman can be blessed with," Tahlia said.

"If it weren’t for Dr Sally, I may not have my healthy baby boy." 💜

10/03/2026

Meet the cute characters helping mental health consumers communicate their personal stories. 😍

Consumers at our Secure Mental Health Rehabilitation Unit (SMHRU) have brought their very own puppets to life as part of an innovative art therapy program designed to support emotional expression and storytelling.

✔️Construct your puppet
✔️Give it a name and personality
✔️Use a stop-motion app to create a short film starring your creation

The result? A showcase of honest and heart-warming tales that reflect difficult themes in consumers’ own stories in a gentle, manageable way.

“As a staff member, it was wonderful to witness how the creative and therapeutic approach fostered connection, emotional expression and a sense of community within the group,” said SMHRU Acting Nurse Unit Manager Mifin Mathew.

And the good news is a sequel is on the way, with an Easter puppet show in the works.🐰

The first of its kind for the public sector on the Gold Coast, the SMHRU opened at Gold Coast University Hospital in early 2025 to support the long-term recovery of people aged over 18 years old with severe and complex mental health conditions.

09/03/2026

When you think of a pharmacy, the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) might not be the first place that comes to mind, but Senior Pharmacists Gemma Burns and Dan Adams are changing that at Gold Coast University Hospital (GCUH). 💊🏥

They’re leading the way with Queensland’s new Collaborative Pharmacist Medication Prescribing (CPMP) model, enabling authorised pharmacists like themselves to prescribe medications alongside doctors.

By joining ICU rounds and making real‑time decisions with the medical team, Gemma and Dan are helping speed up care, improve accuracy, and create stronger learning opportunities for junior clinicians.

For Dan, the pace of ICU work is part of the attraction.

“Everyone wants to continually do better and problem solve, which encourages you to do the same,” he said.

“The problems you get here aren’t often in the textbooks, so you draw on your training, intuition and broader knowledge to figure out the best solution.” 📖

Gemma shares that love of challenge and uncertainty.

“I love the fact that I don’t know what’s coming through the door,” she said.

“You’ve definitely got to be a bit of a nerd to work here,” she joked.

Gemma and Dan’s work hasn’t gone unnoticed, after they were honoured at the 2026 ICU Quality Symposium for Best Overall Study. Go team! 👏

08/03/2026

Registered Nurse Richelle Tailor’s passion for oncology care was shaped by the support her mum received during cancer treatment.

“The nurses who cared for my mum made such a difference during an incredibly difficult time,” Richelle said.

“It showed me the impact a nurse can have and inspired me to care for every patient as I would my own family.”

For the past four years, Richelle has supported oncology patients across Gold Coast University Hospital, BreastScreen, and now in her Clinical Nurse role at Robina Hospital.

“I find the patients so inspiring. It’s tough, but they keep turning up every time for their treatment and don’t realise how amazing they are just for doing that,” she said.

“It also reminds me how lucky we are to have free healthcare and screening services like BreastScreen.”

Richelle is also grateful for the team around her.

“I’m incredibly lucky to work with such passionate and dedicated clinicians. The support we give each other makes a real difference for us and our patients.”

Thank you, Richelle, for the compassion and respect you bring to our Gold Coast Health community. 🩷

07/03/2026

♀️💗 INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY 💗♀️

We have thousands of incredible women throughout our health service, but we thought we'd put the spotlight on the Campbell women.

Here we've got Registered Nurse Chloe (Short Stay Surgical Unit), Assistant in Nursing Judy (Midwifery), and Clinical Midwife Rachel (Birth Suite).

Sisters/daughters Chloe and Rachel have been with us for 10+ years, so mum Judy had to join the fun and commenced her journey at GCUH six years ago.

Pros of working with your family:
🥪Wholesome lunch dates
🕶️Left something at their house? No problem, they'll drop it to your work 😉
🚗Maybe even a carpool here and there
👂You get to hear how amazing your mum is to work with and everyone saying she's the best 🥹

Judy raised two incredible women, and they're now supporting Gold Coast women every day. 💜

Here's to all our amazing women who make up Gold Coast Health - we admire and appreciate you every day.

Address

1 Hospital Boulevard
Southport, QLD
4215

Telephone

+611300744284

Website

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

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