Hybrid theatre opens at Townsville University Hospital

Hospital’s new hybrid theatre set to make it easier for people to get the care they need, closer to home.

The new hybrid theatre at Townsville University Hospital.

In an Australian first, Townsville University Hospital has received a $17m hybrid theatre which is set to cut down the long wait times for North Queensland patients.

The hybrid theatre was originally announced by then Deputy Premier Steven Miles in 2020 as part of the $25m promise for upgrades to the hospital.

The new hybrid theatre means that doctors can do imaging in the theatre, without stopping the procedure to take them to another part of the hospital.

“Ideally this will lead to better health outcomes for people in North Queensland who present here, and particularly in the cardio vascular area,” Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Tim Nicholls said.

“So this is tremendous first, a first for North Queensland, a first for Queensland and a first for Australia in delivering these services that will see more people being seen more quickly closer to home.”

Health and Ambulance Services Minister Tim Nicholls announcing the new hybrid theatre at Townsville University Hospital.

Taking the better part of three years for it to be brought online, some work is being done to make sure the equipment meets all standards, but the hybrid theatre should be taking its first patient in the next couple of months.

Mr Nicholls said having a new hybrid theatre means the waitlist for surgeries would be reduced.

“At full speed, we think it will make a difference of around about 2,000 people a year, so that’s quite a substantial reduction in the wait list,” he said.

“It’ll be able to see that many people running at full speed, so it’s quite a substantial increase, it’s around about 10 a day.”

Director of Vascular Surgery, Dr Ramesh Velu said he has no doubts the hybrid theatre would make a huge difference to the lives of patients in North Queensland.

“North Queenslanders don’t deserve anything less, now they’re blessed with a facility where we’re able to do all the most advanced surgeries,” Dr Velu said.

“Not only in vascular surgery, but various other specialties like neurosurgery, general surgery whereas one of the members pointed out they can do two modalities all in one course.”

Originally published as Hybrid theatre opens at Townsville University Hospital