Warwick Hospital new pathology laboratory ‘critical’ for residents to receive high quality healthcare

The Rose City has received a major boost to its healthcare infrastructure, with residents no longer needing to worry about transit to larger centres to receive results quickly.

Delays due to transportation and commuting are no longer a worry for Warwick residents, following the opening of a brand new healthcare facility in the Rose City.

A new Pathology Queensland Laboratory at Warwick Hospital opened at the end of 2024, with Queensland Health saying the opening is “a boost for the Southern Downs and Granite Belt communities.”

Pathology Queensland Toowoomba group laboratory manager, Neil Dawson said the new pathology lab tests approximately 2000 samples a week, without the need to export samples to metropolitan areas.

“The new laboratory was needed to cater for new equipment, namely the new replacement chemistry and immunoassay analysers will help staff keep up with the increasing workload while improving test turnaround time,” Mr Dawson said.

The new lab employs eight local staff who work seven days a week to support the growing needs of the community.

Inside the new Pathology Queensland Laboratory at Warwick Hospital. (Photo: Queensland Health)

“This means there will also be capability to increase the scope of testing performed locally, ultimately reducing the testing that has to be sent to larger laboratories.”

Mr Dawson said it was “critical” for Queenslanders, regardless of location, to be able to receive the best quality and access to medical services, including pathology.

Darling Downs Health’s Phil Gregory said the existing pathology laboratory on the first floor wasn’t suitable for the new analyser, which has been added to the new facility.

“Warwick Hospital is an old building, so the decision was made to move the pathology laboratory downstairs to a more suitable location to accommodate the new analyser,” Mr Gregory said.

“Overall, this is a great outcome for the Warwick community and shows the commitment of Darling Downs Health and Pathology Queensland to health outcomes of people across the region.”