Cairns Health Updates

Health Services Updates in Far North Queensland

Healthcare is one of the core services every Queensland community relies on, especially in regional areas like Cairns, Kuranda and the surrounding suburbs. The Crisafulli Government is delivering major improvements to make health services more transparent, accessible and responsive, backed by significant investments and practical local outcomes.

New Triple Zero Operations Centre Underway in Cairns

Construction is now underway on a new $31.9 million Queensland Ambulance Service Triple Zero Operations Centre and Regional Office in Cairns. The purpose-built facility will strengthen emergency response capability across Far North Queensland by supporting Emergency Call Takers and Emergency Medical Dispatchers who provide lifesaving assistance around the clock. The new centre will increase operational capacity, improve resilience during severe weather events, and ensure the region’s emergency services are equipped to meet growing demand.

Turning the Tide on Labor’s Health Crisis

New health data shows early signs that targeted reforms are improving healthcare outcomes across Queensland, with ambulance ramping falling to its lowest level in five years. A key part of this progress is the expanded Queensland Ambulance Service Clinical Hub, which provides real-time clinical support for Triple Zero calls and helps connect patients with the most appropriate care. These improvements form part of the Hospital Rescue Plan, which is delivering new hospital capacity, workforce investment and stronger frontline health services for communities across Far North Queensland.

Hospital Rescue Plan: Better Care Closer to Home

The Crisafulli Government has delivered the Hospital Rescue Plan — the largest health infrastructure investment in Queensland’s history — to fix years of under‑investment and build services this State actually needs. Supported by a record $33.1 billion health Budget, this fully‑funded plan will deliver more healthcare capacity, more facilities and easier access to services when Queenslanders need them most.

At its core, the Hospital Rescue Plan will:

deliver more than 2,600 new hospital beds across Queensland, including in regional and remote communities;
build three new hospitals and expand 10 existing hospital facilities to improve capacity;
back a bigger health workforce to support services and reduce pressure on emergency departments and waiting lists;
support emergency services, elective surgery and specialist care services statewide.

For Far North Queensland, this means real local outcomes, including:

Cairns Hospital Expansion: A major upgrade that will deliver at least 64 new overnight beds, a new surgical centre with additional beds and expanded services in areas such as orthopaedics, ophthalmology and reconstructive surgery. A future multi‑storey car park and improved specialist services will make it easier for locals to get care without needing to travel far.
New Specialist Clinic at Cairns Hospital: Under the Hospital Rescue Plan, a new respiratory, rheumatology and tuberculosis clinic has been completed and will soon open — offering modern, expanded outpatient care locally.
Cyclone‑rated helipad: Work is underway on a new helipad built to withstand severe weather, improving emergency access for our region — something the community has been calling for for years.

These upgrades are designed to help reduce wait times, support doctors and nurses with better facilities, and prevent patients from having to travel long distances for specialist care.

Read more:

Real‑Time Health Data Gives Queenslanders Better Insight

The Government has launched a new Open Hospitals real‑time health data portal, delivering live information on emergency department performance and wait times at major hospitals and satellite facilities across the State. For the first time, patients and families can see up‑to‑the‑minute data on hospital activity, helping them make informed decisions about their care and easing pressure on the system. This is part of the Easier Access to Health Services Plan to back frontline workers and improve patient experiences.

Try it out: Queensland Open Hospitals

New Life‑Saving Technology for Far North Queensland

Far North Queensland has received a state rollout of new advanced defibrillators for emergency services, funded through a $1 billion investment in the Queensland Ambulance Service. Around 100 new units are already in local use, giving paramedics better tools to respond to cardiac and other critical emergencies, including real‑time clinical data sharing that supports earlier, more effective treatment.

Expanded Transit Lounge at Cairns Base Hospital

To ease pressure on emergency departments, the Crisafulli Government is expanding the transit lounge at Cairns Hospital, increasing bed capacity for patients waiting for admission or transfer, which frees up critical inpatient beds and helps reduce ambulance ramping. This expansion is part of a broader $80 million state investment in transit lounges at some of Queensland’s busiest hospitals.

New Specialist Clinic and Local Services

A major milestone has been achieved with the opening of a new respiratory, rheumatology and tuberculosis clinic at Cairns Hospital under the state’s Hospital Rescue Plan. This modern outpatient space gives locals access to specialist care close to home, reducing the need to travel for appointments and strengthening specialist health services in the region.

CT, MRI and Diagnostic Expansion Across the State

The Crisafulli Government is boosting diagnostic capacity with new CT and MRI machines, including at the Cairns South Health Facility. This expansion is part of a $276 million statewide investment and will help deliver faster diagnostics, reduce pressure on existing machines and improve patient care in regional hospital services.

Alongside this, plans are progressing to bring mammography and broader imaging services in‑house at Cairns South, creating a regional health hub where locals can access multiple diagnostic services in one place.

Strengthening the Health Workforce

Queensland Health has welcomed thousands of new frontline staff, including more than 1,800 new graduate nurses and more than 180 graduate midwives starting their careers in hospitals and community settings — with many placed in rural and regional areas. These new recruits form a core part of the Government’s push to grow and retain health workers who deliver care where it’s needed most.

In addition, recent certified agreements with Queensland Health staff will deliver higher wages and improved allowances for tens of thousands of health workers, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health staff, helping retain and motivate the workforce across the state.

ADHD Treatment Pathway for Adults — A Queensland First

Queensland is leading the nation by allowing specialist GPs to prescribe ADHD medication for adults, improving access to care for thousands of Queenslanders who have faced lengthy waits for specialist treatment. This reform is designed to deliver more connected, community‑based support for ADHD care across the State.

Advocating for Paediatric Care

In 2025 I met with a mum named Tegan. Tegan’s story highlights what many FNQ families face – over 200 children waiting to see our incredible Dr. Ben, with average wait times of 324 days and some families waiting up to 18 months for appointments. When Tegan contacted our office about multiple appointment delays, she didn’t just advocate for Violet – she shone a light on a critical gap in our health services that affects families across our vast region. After speaking to the Minister and highlighting this growing concern, the Crisafulli Government announced a $1.45 million investment to delivering a second paediatric cardiologist for Far North Queensland.

Speeches on Healthcare in Parliament

I have spoken several times in Parliament on a number of healthcare topics. Please see my speeches below:

Commitment to Better Healthcare Closer to Home

These initiatives, from transparent hospital data to expanded emergency services, new clinics, diagnostic capacity and workforce growth reflect the Government’s ongoing commitment to deliver health services closer to where Queenslanders live. While pressures remain on the health system, these steps aim to strengthen care, reduce wait times and improve outcomes for communities right across Far North Queensland.

Please continue to follow me for more updates as we deliver them.