Construction for new maternity ward at Mater Hospital has officially begun

Better care is on the way for mums and bubs with Townsville Mater officially commencing a maternity ward and renal facility expansion.

Obstetrician Dr Beata Peter-Przyborowska and hospital general manager Stephanie Barwick. Picture: Evan Morgan

Mater Private Hospital Townsville’s Pimlico Campus will soon be home to a new state-of-the-art renal facility and maternity ward, as part of a $40 million expansion.

Construction officially commenced on Tuesday to combine the Mater’s Hyde Park maternity and renal services with new units at the Mater’s Pimlico campus, to better allow staff to deliver treatment.

Mater Private Hospital Townsville general manager Stephanie Barwick said the upgrades will help celebrate the hospital’s 80th birthday.

“Eight decades on we are continuing to invest in this city to deliver high-quality, contemporary hospital facilities for our patients and specialists,” she said.

Ms Barwick said significant amounts of work have already gone into securing the expansion.

Hospital chair Pat Brady, Senator Nita Green, Bishop Timothy Harris and hospital general manager Stephanie Barwick. Picture: Evan Morgan

“This has been ten years in the making since we first presented the ten year master plan to council in 2016,” she said.

“[The expansion] gives our doctors, our patients and our staff access to greater facilities, but also access to the broader suite of medical support that they get located here at the Pimlico campus.”

Obstetrician, gynaecologist and fertility specialist Dr Beata Peter-Przyborowska said the new facility is “fantastic news” for hospital staff, and ensures better treatment of patients.

“It means that we can look after more complications in patients,” she said.

Labor senator for Queensland Nita Green said it’s incredibly important to continue investing in regional and rural health services.

“The Australian Government is really pleased to have contributed $9 million to this important project for Townsville,” she said.

“It’s part of a broader spend of $1.25 billion spend on health infrastructure around the country.”

Ms Green said high quality services are essential in ensuring women have a safe hospital experience.

“We know how important it is to have services in regional Queensland, and we know how important it is to make sure women have safe, accessible, high quality healthcare, particularly for maternity services,” she said.

The work is set to be completed in early 2026, the Hyde Park campus will continue operation until the new facilities open.

Originally published as Construction for new maternity ward at Mater Hospital has officially begun