The Princess Alexandra Hospital (PAH) expansion project reached a major milestone today with a topping out ceremony, marking the structural completion of the expanded Building 1, which will increase the number of acute inpatient beds.
The more than $748 million expansion will deliver four new floors above the existing emergency department, adding 249 new inpatient beds and 13 cancer treatment bays, as well as expanded pharmacy and medical imaging services, and a refurbishment of the cardiac catheter lab’s recovery area.
Metro South Chief Executive Noelle Cridland said the milestone reflects the strong collaboration between project teams and clinical teams working on the project.
“Completing the final large concrete pour on the top level is a significant achievement for the project which has been a collective effort of project partners, construction teams and hospital staff supporting the work,” she said.
“Our clinicians across specialist areas have been working together with Health Infrastructure Queensland to co-design an expanded space that will deliver modern models of care, services that improve the patient experience and increase our capacity to deliver for the community in Queensland.”
Ms Cridland noted that structural construction on top of an existing and functional clinical area is no easy feat, acknowledging the resilience of staff and patients throughout the disruptions.
“Everyone, from the construction crews, through the project team, to those on the clinical frontline are working to reduce the impact on patients during these disruptive works,” she said.
Metro South Health Deputy Board Chair, Matthew Ames said this milestone gives us more certainty moving forward with the important work of fitting out the purpose-built spaces.
“As one of the most significant health infrastructure projects underway in Queensland, the PAH expansion will help meet the growing demand for specialist, emergency, and acute healthcare services across south east Queensland,” Mr Ames said.
“These additional beds will make a tangible difference with efficiency and patient flow which is the ultimate benefit for our community.”
A ceremonial Moreton Bay Fig tree, which was unveiled to signify the topping-out milestone, will be planted on the hospital’s grounds as a symbol of growth, strength and community at the completion of construction.
The PAH expansion is expected to reach practical completion in mid 2027, with commissioning to occur throughout the remainder of 2027.