Gold Coast University Hospital - GCUH

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Southport, QLD
Gold Coast University Hospital - GCUH

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GCUH provides specialised health services that meet the needs of patients as well as the learning re

As one of Australia's fastest growing cities and most popular tourist destinations, the Gold Coast required a facility that could incorporate flexibility into the design to allow for future expansion. The Gold Coast University Hospital (GCUH) is a highly efficient design with capacity to change and grow to meet future health service needs of the community. Delivering a structure the scale of the Gold Coast University Hospital required a number of detailed planning and design stages. This process commenced back in 2005 and encompasses health service delivery, design and construction. The facility is comprised of seven main buildings, with a total floor space of around 170,000 square metres (excluding car parks). To help you visualise just how large this is, the total floor space of the existing Gold Coast Hospital in Southport is around 54,000 square metres in comparison - around one third of the size of GCUH. The Clinical Services and Clinical Support building connect with the two Inpatient Units, forming the main complex. There are nine levels in the main complex, topped with a helicopter landing site. At a glimpse

- Clinical services and clinical support building (nine levels)
- Two inpatient units
- Pathology and education building (four levels)
- Mental Health Unit
- Western car park (with an Eastern car park as a future initiative)
- Central Energy Plant

02/11/2026

At 28 weeks pregnant, the last thing Brea expected was to be going into labour, two hours away from home.

Brea had an infection in her placenta called chorioamnionitis (where the membranes surrounding the fetus and the amniotic fluid are infected by bacteria) and went into early labour.

Thankfully, she was surrounded by the most supportive team.

"The first face I saw straight after birth was Sarah's from the NICU who was waiting to treat my beautiful girl," Brea said.

"I was so thankful it was her standing across the other side of the room waving at me and telling me
how much of an amazing job I had done. I instantly knew my girl was in safe and caring hands."

Baby Emira spent more than two months in our NICU and Special Care Nursery, and we're so chuffed to say she's just celebrated her first birthday. 🥳

"Emira is perfect and thriving like crazy for such a premature baby," Brea said.

"It's all because of the GCUH team being there during such a vulnerable time. There will not be a single day that we aren't thankful for those lovely people - I will forever hold them so close to my heart."

🩷👶

31/10/2026

Sometimes a GP does their own social prescribing. ✍️🎵

Visiting doctor David Lam knew he needed some time on the piano after a busy medical conference so he reached out to the Creative Health Hub and was able to carve out some time to both decompress and connect with consumers in the busy GCUH foyer.

We loved listening - thank you for sharing your creativity David! 🎹🎵

31/10/2026

The paediatric ward is a little spookier today... but don't worry, these are the kindest ghouls you'll ever meet! 👻

Our nurses are proving that a little Halloween spirit can be just what the doctor ordered.

Have a safe and spook-tacular night, everyone. 🎃✨

29/10/2026

“Know your normal.”

Paola was diagnosed with breast cancer at 31.

Fit and healthy, she initially thought a lump in her left breast was probably nothing. While on holiday in Bali, a masseuse urged her to get it checked.

Paola was reassured everything was fine at an initial ultrasound, but three months later her breast kept changing and the pain increasing.

“I looked in the mirror and noticed redness,” she said.

“Then I noticed my breasts were becoming asymmetrical and there was dimpling on the side. I felt like I needed to do something immediately.”

Paola presented to Robina Hospital’s emergency department and three weeks later she learnt she had HER2-positive stage 3 breast cancer with lymph-node involvement.

She began chemotherapy and targeted therapy at Gold Coast University Hospital in July and is now preparing to have a bilateral mastectomy. After surgery, she will have radiation therapy and continue targeted treatment.

“I want people to understand that young doesn’t mean immune,” she said.

“I thought I was too young to have breast cancer but I've learned how important it is to know your body, do self-checks and follow up if something doesn't feel right. If you're still in pain, that's not normal.

“You have to advocate for yourself - if something doesn't feel right, go back and get checked again. You know your body best.” 🩷

You can learn more about Paola's story at https://bit.ly/4iqIfqW

29/10/2026

They're here 365 days a year to support our community, but on World Stroke Day we want to give our team some extra love. 🥰

"As a team we are passionate about the service we deliver and the impact we have on our community," Stroke Clinical Nurse Consultant Haylee said.

"We're really proud to support the Gold Coast and Northern Rivers community by delivering comprehensive stroke care."

So far this year we have treated 133 stroke patients for an endovascular thrombectomy, and 55 patients for a thrombolysis/clot-busting drug.

Thank you to these incredible humans for all you do. 🥰

27/10/2026

Read all about it - our Neonatal Care team smashed this year's Little Readers Read-a-thon. 📖👏

We took out the top spot for "most books read" and second place for "most minutes read."

"The enthusiasm from families and staff during the challenge was incredible," Acting Clinical Nurse Consultant Teena said.

"Research shows even very premature babies can recognise and respond to their parents' voices and hearing a familiar voice through reading may provide comfort and positive sensory stimulation during the NICU journey."

We are so proud of our team and their dedication to the challenge and our little warriors.

A special thank you to Gold Coast Hospital Foundation for supplying the books we used during the read-a-thon. 🥰

25/10/2026

“A cancer diagnosis can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to navigate it alone.”

No two days are the same for McGrath Cancer Care Nurse Stephanie in her role at Gold Coast University Hospital (GCUH), but each is centred around supporting patients experiencing breast cancer and their families.

Following a breast cancer diagnosis, she provides education and support, coordinates care and guides patients and their families through what can often be an overwhelming time.

Stephanie’s advice to patients going through a confronting diagnosis is to take life one step at a time.

“The most challenging moments are often those involving fear and uncertainty, from a new diagnosis to unexpected changes during treatment,” she said.

“Ask questions, lean on your support network and reach out when you need help.”

With October being Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Stephanie encourages everyone to be breast aware, by participating in recommended screening programs, and seeking medical advice if they notice any changes.

Anyone who has been diagnosed with cancer, breast or otherwise, can visit the McGrath Foundation website to explore the support available nearest to them for free - no referral required.

Find out more: https://bit.ly/4BBIQ1Q

23/10/2026

Haematology Clinical Nurse Consultant (CNC) Hope is encouraging people to know the signs of lymphoma and seek help if something doesn’t feel right.

After almost 20 years caring for patients with cancer and blood disorders, she knows more than most just how important early awareness can be.

"For a lot of people, when they think of cancer they think of a solid tumour, whereas your blood cancers actually work very differently to that and can be difficult to detect,” Hope said.

"Often it can present quite aggressively so you won't have any idea that it's happened until it all of a sudden is there," Hope said.

Symptoms to keep an eye out for include:
🤕 Enlarged lymph nodes
🌙 Night sweats
⚖️ Unexplained weight loss
🍽️ Loss of appetite

Following on from Lymphoma Awareness Month (September), Hope wants patients diagnosed with lymphoma to know they are not alone, with experienced clinicians like her ready to support them every step of the way.

From diagnosis to recovery, Hope helps patients navigate their cancer journey with knowledge, reassurance and compassionate care every step of the way. 🫶

21/10/2026

Vinod may just take the cake 🎂 for the smiliest staff member in the emergency department.

He is one of our amazing environmental service officers (or wardies as we like to call them 👑) who is always there to help transfer patients and equipment when needed, as well as building human connections with staff and patients.

"I really like working in ED because it's a very good team," Vinod said.

"I feel I have more of a chance to help patients and staff in this role."

Our ED clinicians will be the first to tell you that Vinod and the rest of the wardies and cleaning staff play an integral role in providing A+ patient care.

Thank you, Vinod, for always brightening our days - this department would not be the same without you! ✨

21/10/2026

Sweet treat for a good cause, anyone? 🧁

Our Cancer and Blood Disorders Inpatients Unit team at Gold Coast University Hospital (GCUH) baked up a storm to raise funds for the National Breast Cancer Foundation this week.

Led by Clinical Nurse Consultant Lorretta and Nurse Unit Manager Victoria, it was their way of marking Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

With an original goal of raising at least $100, they ended the bake sale with more than $700 in total.

Well done to all involved! 🩷

Address

1 Hospital Boulevard
Southport, QLD
4215

Telephone

+611300744284

Website

https://www.goldcoast.health.qld.gov.au/

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