Health improvements for services across Cairns 

Public health infrastructure in Cairns is being upgraded through the Queensland Government’s $1.3 billion investment in Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service, with five key projects underway:

• Cairns Hospital expansion project, expected to finish in 2026
• revamp of the Cairns Hospital emergency department scheduled for completion in mid-2024, increasing bed capacity offering a new X-ray suite, refurbished resuscitation bays, additional acute care rooms, increased isolation and negative pressure capacity, and a family room and bathroom
• Cairns Mental Health Unit due for completion in mid-2024
• the Cow Bay Primary Health Centre, and
• the Cairns Youth Alcohol and Other Drugs Residential Treatment Services facility.

The projects are part of the record investment in Cairns health infrastructure, which includes the Atherton Hospital redevelopment which opened in 2023.