- Work on a detailed business case for the Cairns Health Innovation Centre has begun which will consider multiple options to address the healthcare needs of the Cairns and Hinterland community.
- Options considered in the business case will be carefully designed and guide future works of the Cairns Health Innovation Centre.
- The Cairns Health Innovation Centre will incorporate research, education and training facilities and will be part of the transition to Cairns University Hospital.
The detailed business case for the Cairns Health Innovation Centre (CHIC) has now begun, which will guide further investment in the project and is being developed in consultation with the Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service (HHS).
The project will deliver additional capacity for clinical services within the existing Cairns Hospital precinct and provide necessary health education, training, and research facilities for our future medical professionals in Cairns.
The business case will decide on the design of the CHIC, building on preliminary works which feature an auditorium, research and education staff offices, innovative spaces to facilitate integrated and interdisciplinary working, as well as highly specialised simulation labs and purpose-built spaces to conduct clinical trials.
Cairns and Hinterland HHS will expand research, education, and training services to the CHIC, which will be part of the broader health and innovation precinct with James Cook University.
The Palaszczuk Government has provided $4.65 million for the detailed business case, which is expected to be delivered by the end of 2023.
The CHIC will complement the $250 million Cairns University Hospital Expansion Project as part of the broader research, innovation precinct, allowing Cairns Hospital to grow its capabilities and provide the community with more complex clinical services closer to home.
The expansion project is expected to create 611 jobs during the construction phase and will deliver an additional 96 beds across two sites by 2026-27.
Quotes attributable to the Minister for Health, Mental Health, and Ambulance Services Shannon Fentiman:
"I am proud to be part of a government that is committed to delivering stronger health care for Far North Queensland.
"The appointment of the consultant for the business cases will progress the CHIC project and is a significant milestone to deliver clinically excellent and sustainable health services for the region.
"We know this region is rapidly growing, and residents can be assured that this milestone is a significant step towards expanding their access to health care."
Quotes attributable to Member for Cairns Michael Healy:
"In late-2021, the Palaszczuk Government announced the approval of a detailed business case for the CHIC, which included a component to expand the Cairns Hospital.
"The commencement of the business case was deferred until August 2023 to allow time to develop the Cairns Hospital Expansion Project and finalise a Local Area Needs Assessment.
"This deferment was critical to ensure the service offerings aligned with overall expansion plans for the region.
"The Cairns Hospital Expansion project, together with the CHIC will ensure the Cairns and Hinterland region has accessible health care now and into the future."
Quotes attributable to Member for Barron River Craig Crawford:
"This important milestone shows the Palaszczuk Government's commitment to the best health care possible for residents in the Cairns and Hinterland region.
"I am proud to be part of a government that is delivering the infrastructure needed for our growing region."
Quotes attributable to Leena Singh, Chief Executive, Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service:
"The Cairns Health Innovation Centre business case is a milestone towards creating a purpose-built education and training, research, and innovation precinct for our region.
"The CHIC will complement our master plans to increase our bed footprint across the Cairns Hospital and complement our new Surgical Centre to be built nearby.
"It will enable partnering not only with universities, but also research and other educational institutions, to ensure the best minds are applied to solving the unique health issues of Far North Queensland.
"Our Cairns University Hospital project will allow us to further collaborate on research, education, and innovation via the creation of clinical centres of excellence.
"Additionally, it will help provide additional spaces for training and educating our workforce for the future across a range of disciplines, and in particular medical students from James Cook University's expanded medical school program."
Quotes attributable to Professor Simon Biggs, JCU Vice Chancellor:
"JCU warmly welcomes the announcement that the CHIC is moving to the next phase of development.
"JCU is committed to growing educational and career opportunities in the Far North and training the health workforce the region needs.
"The Far North Queensland Health and Innovation Precinct (FNQHIP), recently named the Dugurrdja Precinct, and JCU's Cairns Tropical Enterprise Centre, will boost Cairns' growing health sector."
