Kirwan's $53 million new health campus officially opens

The new $53 million expansion and redevelopment of the Kirwan Health Campus has officially been opened.

The modern, purpose-built facility has expanded maternity and oral health services for Townsville’s growing community.

Townsville Hospital and Health Service’s acting chief executive Shellee Chapman said it was great to see the new space opened after two years of consultation, planning, and construction.

“The new maternity clinic brings a range of services together in one place, with 15 consultation rooms, dedicated ultrasound and procedure rooms, and onsite pathology,” Ms Chapman said.

“The clinic will support more than 21,000 outpatient appointments each year, making it easier for women and families to access care during pregnancy and after their babies are born.

“For oral health, the expansion increases capacity from eight to 11 dental chairs, with individual treatment rooms and new diagnostic imaging and digital dentistry technology making dental care more convenient for patients.

“This is about delivering more healthcare in the community and making it simpler for people to get the services they need, closer to where they live.

“For women and families, this means fewer trips between different facilities, less time navigating the health system and a simpler, more seamless experience throughout pregnancy and after their babies are born.”

Townsville mum Jemma Hall used the maternity service at Kirwan for her 10-week-old son Kaelan, and she said the new building makes going to appointments much easier for her and her family.

“The space has been purpose designed, and you can see that through things like the kids play spaces,” Ms Hall said.

“As a parent, it makes it much easier to come to the appointment when the kids have somewhere they can play and have some fun.

“Meanwhile the clinical spaces are much more inviting, warm, and friendly and it feel much calmer and reassuring.”

Clinical director of oral health Dr Joel Abraham said it was nice to have a facility that felt like home for the patient and the staff.

“Going to the dentist can be an anxiety inducing experience for some people, so having a facility that is comfortable goes a long way to reducing that anxiety,” Dr Abraham said.

“The new facility is modern and equipped with new technology, meaning our clinical staff can provide more care during a single visit and reduce the need for patients to return for additional appointments.”

“Patients who have seen the new space have remarked told us how fresh and welcoming it feels, which is really nice to hear.