Tag: Queensland Health

Mater Hospital Springfield to Transform Healthcare in the Western Corridor

Construction Sept 2024 | Photo Credit: MPCharisMullen/Facebook

For years, Springfield families have travelled long distances for public hospital care. That’s about to change with Mater Hospital Springfield, a state-of-the-art facility set to open next year, bringing life-saving services closer to home. Designed to ease pressure on existing hospitals, the state-of-the-art centre will provide emergency, intensive care, maternity, and paediatric services.

Read: Mater Hospital Springfield Breaks Ground on Public Health Facility

Hospital Nearing Completion

The $393-million facility is expected to begin operations in early 2026, with construction progressing on schedule. The nine-storey hospital, located at Springfield Central, will be integrated with Mater Private Hospital Springfield on Health Care Drive. The final structural phase is set to be completed next month, marking a significant milestone in the project.

Once operational, the hospital will house 186 public beds, with Mater managing services under government funding. Additional features will include a Neonatal Critical Care Unit (NCCU), an inpatient paediatric ward, and a pandemic-ready ward, ensuring long-term resilience for future health challenges.

Mater Hospital Springfield to open early 2026
Photo Credit: MPCharisMullen/ Facebook

A Boost for Healthcare Access and Local Jobs

The new facility is set to dramatically improve access to public healthcare for Springfield and surrounding regions, reducing travel times for residents seeking specialist care. The hospital’s Emergency Department and Intensive Care Unit will provide critical support to nearby hospitals, ensuring quicker response times for medical emergencies.

Beyond healthcare, the hospital is also expected to generate over 1,000 new jobs, including medical, nursing, and support roles. Mater has already received more than 2,000 expressions of interest from professionals eager to join the facility.

A Long-Awaited Development for the Springfield Community

Local anticipation has been growing as the hospital nears completion. Community leaders have praised the project for its role in strengthening healthcare infrastructure in the Western Corridor. Mater representatives have highlighted the enthusiasm among residents, with many looking forward to accessing world-class care closer to home.

Read: New Mater Public Hospital in Springfield: A Boost for Healthcare and Real Estate

Mater Hospital Springfield represents a significant investment in the health and well-being of the region. As final construction steps are completed, the focus will shift towards staffing and operational readiness, ensuring the facility is fully equipped to meet the needs of the growing community.

Published 3-March-2025

Extra Beds at Mater Springfield Opened To Public Flu Patients; Eligible Queenslanders Urged to Get Free Vaccination

Since flu cases spike early in the year and public hospitals reach capacity, the government has been forced to pay for beds at private hospitals, such as Mater Hospital in Springfield, to accommodate public flu patients.

Queensland Health has reported that there have already been a total 7,445 influenza notifications as of 7 April 2019, up from 3,318 at about the same time last year. The year 2017 was one of the worst years for flu with 56,590 recorded notification whilst a total of 15,664 flu notifications were made in 2018.

The public is thus urged to book in for their flu shot this month, before the peak flu season sets in around August, as it generally takes 10 to 14 days to be fully effective. People are also encouraged to continue practising good health hygiene like regular hand washing, covering a cough with a tissue or arm, and staying at home when ill.

“It’s so important for Queenslanders to get vaccinated every year because it’s the best way to protect yourself from the flu,” Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Steven Miles said in his announcement.

Photo Credit:Authentic Images / Pikwizard

“The government provides free vaccines for children under five, pregnant women, Queenslanders over the age of 65 and all Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people,” Mr Miles said.

“These vaccines are now on their way to providers and eligible Queenslanders should book in to get their free jab from mid to late April.”

“The latest expert advice is that while protection from vaccination is expected to last for the whole season, the best protection is provided in the three to four months following vaccination,”

“Flu season in Queensland is typically from June to September, with the peak usually in August.

“That’s why we recommend vaccinating sometime between mid-April through to the end of May, to ensure the best protection during the peak of the season,” he said.

Read: Queensland Rail To Add Extra Train Services To Springfield And Other Lines During Peak Times

National Immunisation Program

There are more than 6 million vaccine doses secured this year through the Government’s National Immunisation Program. This will allow Australian’s who are most at risk of getting sick due to influenza virus infection during this year’s flu season can get access to the vaccines.

Under the National Immunisation Program, those eligible for the flu shot include people 65 years and over, pregnant women, and people suffering from chronic conditions. For the first time, all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people from 6 months of age are also eligible to get the flu vaccination.

“The message remains the same: get vaccinated every year because it is the best way of protecting yourself against the flu,” Mr Miles said.