Sunshine Coast University Hospital

Being one of the largest public healthcare precincts in Australia at 160,000 m² and spread across 20 hectares of land at Birtinya north of Brisbane, we present the 750 bed Sunshine Coast University Hospital (SCUH). The SCUH has been designed for Queensland Health to be a world class health facility providing exceptional healthcare to its patients as part of Queensland Health’s vision for the future.

Incorporated within this Hospital’s health precinct, this state-of-the-art facility offers numerous services for staff and patients. With all that the SCUH has to offer, it was vital that all the equipment and fittings that were required needed to be compliant, safe, practical and had an exceptional appearance. This is where the CS Group was able to provide a portfolio of products to the project that were both practical and aesthetically pleasing.

All hospitals have high volumes of wheeled corridor traffic, these day-to-day movements are commonly encountered in a busy hospital. Due to this traffic, it is difficult to keep walls in their original pristine condition. To try to limit the damage that can be caused by wayward trolleys and gurneys, wall protection is put in place.

Construction Specialties have supplied a portfolio of products to the SCUH to meet these needs. Starting with their corner protection for the gyprock walls, the CS Group’s VA 250N corner guard can be found throughout the Hospital in both 90 and 135 degree configurations protecting salient corners from damage. Protecting the walls from damage is CS Model SCR-48N crash rail, a 152 mm wide x 32 mm deep Acrovyn crash rail that is installed in the Hospital in both single and double runs for maximum protection. CS Model HRB-4CN Acrovyn handrail, which also acts as a high-level bump rail, completes the wall protection package.

Posing a separate challenge to designers were the two Isolation Wards. Both are located within the Hospital in such a way that neither has access to an external window. Rather than have patients stare at blank walls during their stay, CS were asked if we had a solution to the problem. Our graphic imaging product, Acrovyn by Design was suggested as a possible solution and was accepted. Both wards now have a full height wall mural of a relaxing beach scene to look at rather than a typical blank white hospital wall alongside their beds.

With such large footprints, each floor of the Hospital required extensive use of expansion joint covers. Construction Specialties were called on to help with the design and specification of expansion joint covers for the project. The CS Group’s SGR Model expansion joint cover was selected for the project as it is available in various widths, the Hospital being 5 floors, as well as allowing a flush mounted finish. The SGR was also chosen for its ability to accommodate wheeled traffic and meet the stringent requirements of infection control associated with a hospital project.

Beautiful and practical are two words that can be used to describe the Sunshine Coast University Hospital. An amazing project featuring various CS products throughout the Hospital.