Gold Coast University Hospital - GCUH

Home
Australia
Southport, QLD
Gold Coast University Hospital - GCUH

GCUH provides specialised health services that meet the needs of patients as well as the learning re

As one of Australia's fastest growing cities and most popular tourist destinations, the Gold Coast required a facility that could incorporate flexibility into the design to allow for future expansion. The Gold Coast University Hospital (GCUH) is a highly efficient design with capacity to change and grow to meet future health service needs of the community. Delivering a structure the scale of the Gold Coast University Hospital required a number of detailed planning and design stages. This process commenced back in 2005 and encompasses health service delivery, design and construction. The facility is comprised of seven main buildings, with a total floor space of around 170,000 square metres (excluding car parks). To help you visualise just how large this is, the total floor space of the existing Gold Coast Hospital in Southport is around 54,000 square metres in comparison - around one third of the size of GCUH. The Clinical Services and Clinical Support building connect with the two Inpatient Units, forming the main complex. There are nine levels in the main complex, topped with a helicopter landing site. At a glimpse

- Clinical services and clinical support building (nine levels)
- Two inpatient units
- Pathology and education building (four levels)
- Mental Health Unit
- Western car park (with an Eastern car park as a future initiative)
- Central Energy Plant

08/09/2026

Since Claire was three years old, she always wanted to be a doctor.

"Caring for some of my family members had a big influence in my decision to study medicine," Claire said.

Before she became one of our medical interns, Claire worked as a paediatric nurse in Central Queensland - something that helped her prepare for the transition.

"Spending time with people and in a clinical environment is incredibly valuable," she said.

"Nursing really helped with so many skills and interacting with people. If you listen to people and are kind to them, they will feel much more comfortable."

Joining Gold Coast Health as part of our mid-year intake, Claire's first rotation is in Queensland's busiest Emergency Department (ED) right here at Gold Coast University Hospital (GCUH).

"It felt like being a real doctor straight away. You get to make decisions, people trust your assessments, and you're making a difference."

We are so happy to have you, Claire! 💙

06/09/2026

Gold Coast dad David couldn’t have asked for a better gift this Father’s Day, as he and partner Judayal welcomed their third child into the world at Gold Coast University Hospital (GCUH).

“It feels pretty special and is definitely a Father’s Day we'll never forget,” David said.

Mum and bub (Eliakim) are both doing well, with his big brothers enjoying lots of newborn cuddles.

We couldn’t be happier for this beautiful family on such a special day. 💙

05/09/2026

Ryan never imagined he'd swap a successful career in cabinet making for hospital scrubs, but a midlife desire for a new challenge led him to study nursing alongside his daughter.

Now an Enrolled Nurse at Gold Coast University Hospital (GCUH), he's discovered a passion for patient care, problem-solving and lifelong learning.

"I didn't want to retire and only ever have done one thing,” Ryan said.

What started as a bonding experience with his daughter quickly turned into a passion for healthcare.

“The more I've learned, the more I've realised the opportunities are endless in nursing,” he said.

“It’s both busy and fulfilling work, which is what I love about it.”

We’re so glad you made the switch to nursing!

Read more about Ryan’s story on our website: https://bit.ly/4qTSaJb

04/09/2026

Behind every transfer, discharge, and admission is this dedicated team working hard to keep our hospital flowing smoothly and delivering the best possible patient experience. 🌟

The Transfer Unit team see up to 100 patients every day and ensures each one of them is in the right place at the right time.

Whether it be prepping patients for surgery, performing minor procedures to help avoid hospital admissions, or supporting outpatient appointments, the unit plays a key role in supporting patient flow.

These are the friendly faces ready to care for every patient, all while doing it with a smile. 👏

02/09/2026

Our Spinal Cord Injury Liaison Service (SCILS) team brightened up the Gold Coast University Hospital forecourt as they marked Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Week with community partners, colleagues and consumers.

Since 2023, the small but mighty team has been supporting spinal cord injury patients from acute treatment to rehabilitation and recently celebrating their 1000th referral. 👏

📸 Pictured here are SCILS Clinical Nurse Consultant Matt, Physiotherapist Alexandra and Occupational Therapist Liam with leading disability advocate Perry Cross.

"The spinal cord injury community is such a generous, tightknit group on the Gold Coast and it's an absolute privilege to work within it," Alexandra said.

Thanks to the Perry Cross Spinal Research Foundation for their ongoing support of this annual event.

01/09/2026

Nothing warms our hearts quite like seeing our littlest patients thrive after leaving hospital. 💗

Rorie was born in January at 25 weeks gestation and spent 94 days with us in our Neonatal Care Unit.

We got to see her recently when she came in for eye surgery to correct her retinopathy (where abnormal blood vessels grow and develop in the retina). She stayed overnight in our Children’s Critical Care Unit, and we couldn’t get enough of her. 🥰

Mum and dad said Rorie is a happy little girl who is reaching all her milestones, while keeping her parents on her toes!

“We can’t thank Gold Coast Health enough for everything they’ve done for our family this year,” mum Alysha said.

“Nothing is ever a bother for the staff and they are always such a pleasure. They are amazing.” ❤️

30/08/2026

With 15 years of nursing experience and a passion for improving patient care, Nurse Practitioner Lucy is now making an even bigger mark in the Emergency Department (ED).

Recently awarded the Emergency Medicine Foundation (EMF) Kellie Furey Memorial Research Grant, Lucy is now leading a research project aimed at better supporting patients with palliative care needs who present to the ED.

“We know the ED isn't necessarily the ideal place for palliative care, but it's happening and it's becoming more common as demand increases,” Lucy said.

“We're looking at how we can better support patients who may be struggling at home or experiencing a crisis and then come into the emergency department, and how we can strengthen the care and support we provide to them.”

Working alongside colleagues from GCUH, Metro North Health and QUT (Queensland University of Technology), the team hopes to identify ways to improve continuity of care and better understand patient experiences.

Congratulations on this outstanding achievement, Lucy. 👏

28/08/2026

“Flat white, two sugars?” ☕️

It’s probably not what you expect to hear on your way to cardiac theatre, but for Operating Theatre Assistant Timothy, a little humour can make a frightening morning feel slightly less scary.

For 13 years, Tim has worked across Gold Coast Health, from cleaning and ward services to his current role in cardiac theatre.

He knows how the room needs to be set up, where the equipment belongs and the little things that help a busy theatre team get on with the job.

But it is the moments with patients that stay with him.

“You’re seeing someone on what could be the worst day they’ve had,” Tim said.

“Anything I can do to make their little journey with me a little bit better, I just feel like that’s the least I can do.”

Kudos to you, Tim! Thank you for making patients days a little brighter. ☀️

27/08/2026

Once upon a time on the paediatric ward... our nurses became the characters from their favourite books! 📖💫

From Where's Wally 👀 to Bluey 🐕, Book Week was a hit for our little patients.

A good story can brighten any day and it definitely brightened ours!

25/08/2026

The Complex Management Unit (CMU) has found a new home in H Block at Gold Coast University Hospital. 🏥

In the new space, natural light, wide walkways and calming views are an intentional element of patient care.

Patients pause at windows to watch the world outside, take extra steps down the corridor, or settle in front of a TV channel of their choice.

Those small moments add up to improved patient wellbeing.

For staff, the move has created space to personalise care and truly focus on what each patient needs to get home (or to the right next place) safely and with dignity.

Address

1 Hospital Boulevard
Southport, QLD
4215

Telephone

+611300744284

Website

https://www.goldcoast.health.qld.gov.au/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Gold Coast University Hospital - GCUH posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organization

Send a message to Gold Coast University Hospital - GCUH:

Want your organization to be the top-listed Government Service in Southport?