Springfield public hospital: Medical professionals scoop up specialist suites at new health hub

Medical specialists and allied health professionals have rushed to buy property suites in a desperate bid to capitalise on a new Ipswich health hub

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk speaks to staff at the Mater Private hospital in Springfield in May. Photo: NCA NewsWir /Jono Searle

Medical professionals are snapping up property in Springfield’s health hub ahead of the first public hospital being built in the rapidly-growing satellite city.

The state government announced in May that a 174-bed public facility, which will be co-located with the Mater Private Hospital Springfield, had been given the green light after a significant push from developer Springfield City Group.

The new public hospital is due to open in 2024.

A new public hospital will be co-located with Mater Private Hospital Springfield and is set to open in 2024. Photo: Liam Kidston

SCG commercial development director Uma Ranchigoda said it had been inundated with interest from medical specialists and allied health professionals wanting to relocate to the region since the news broke.

She said seven of the 30 suites in the Greater Springfield Specialist Suites building across the road from the Mater had been sold since the announcement on May 31.

There are now six suites left on the market.

“Apart from local interest, we’ve seen increased interstate enquiries from companies looking to set up in Greater Springfield and capitalise on the opportunities and services to be created by the new hospital,” she said.

Total Upper GI Surgery, which is made up of upper gastrointestinal and bariatric specialists, bought two suites last year.

“I’d had my eye on Springfield for a while before committing to the area, which also is appealing because of the infrastructure that has been put in place, like rail and road and the fact that people are living and working there,” co-owner Dr Robert Finch said.

“With the promise of the new public hospital, I think Springfield will be an even better place to practice.

“We have plans to expand and broaden our exposure in the city and our referral base.”

Springfield’s population of 46,000 is set to triple over the next 20 years and SCG chairman Maha Sinnathamby said the new public hospital, which will include an emergency department, intensive care unit and maternity services, was essential.

“Being the master planner for this corridor, we always knew that health had to be an integral part of the services offered,” he said.

“Nearly 15 years ago, we engaged Harvard Medical International to work with us to plan Health City, to provide for the health and wellness of this rapidly growing region.

“Filling our medical suites years before the hospital even opens, means additional specialist services being closer to the homes of residents, saving more of our community from having to travel to Brisbane for care, which makes a big difference to patients and their families because it reduces stress and the cost burden.

“This expansion will not only service the 585,000 people who live within a 22-minute drive, but also the parents of the 1000 plus babies born every year in the 4300 postcode.

Jordan MP Charis Mullen, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, Health Minister Yvette D’Ath and Treasurer Cameron Dick announced a public hospital for Springfield in May. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Jono Searle

“I also believe the new hospital will make a huge difference to our ability to recruit and retain high-calibre specialists to clinical and education roles.”

Former Queensland Health Director-General Emeritus Professor Rob Stable is chair of the 52-hectare Health City.

“This is an opportunity for us to make significant investments in the long-term health care needs of the entire region, which has experienced a population explosion with new frontiers such as Ripley, and Greenbank and Flagstone adding significantly to the population of the region,” he said.

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