Gold Coast University Hospital (GCUH) is officially open after the biggest planned hospital move in Australian history.
The new $ 1.76 billion hospital in Parkwood opened its research and teaching facility earlier this year, but has now opened its doors to patients who have been transferred from the old Gold Coast Hospital.
By lunchtime the GCUH had received over 95 patients, with a total of 200 patients now transferred since Friday.
Ambulances have been moving patients from the intensive care unit, emergency department, central sterilising department, anaesthetic services, and medical assessment unit to the new facility.
Patients in neonatal intensive care, special care nursery and the birthing suite are also being moved in ambulances, while a fleet of taxis transporting the less seriously ill.
Gold Coast Health chief executive Ron Calvert says apart from some minor snags yesterday, he was “really pleased” with the operation.
“The move transition has been an overwhelming success,” he said.
“So far it has been completely uneventful, which is exactly what we wanted.
“There are still a handful of patients to come across, and they’re scheduled to take place as the afternoon proceeds.”
The former Gold Coast Hospital’s emergency department closed at 8:00am as the new facility at GCUH opened its doors.
At lunchtime, the hospital reported 44 patients arriving at the emergency department, five of which were admitted.
“We’ve had a steady stream of patients through the new emergency department, and it seems to be business as normal,” Mr Calvert said.
“It’s almost an exactly typical day in the emergency department.”
By Saturday afternoon the hospital was yet to see its first baby born, although a number of women were in labour.
Clinical director for general medicine Dr Mark Forbes says the mood is “buoyant” among staff.
“From nursing perspective they’re really very excited about it and thrilled about how smoothly things have gone,” he said.
Patient Karl Carey, 79, was transferred by ambulance this afternoon and says the staff are outstanding.
“The staff did everything for me, I didn’t have to lift a finger,” Mr Carey said.
“The people are the best part of this hospital.”
In addition to hospital services, the GCUH will partner with Griffith University in more than 170 collaborative activities.
These include extensive research initiatives with Griffith Health Institute, the expansion of study placements and the implementation of innovative teaching and learning initiatives.
The old Southport hospital had a capacity of 450-500 beds, but the new hospital will have a capacity of 750.
