Cairns Hospital Mental Health Inpatient Services Building
Cairns, Queensland // 2022 - 2024 // Commercial Healthcare
A new $70 million multi-storey mental health facility at Cairns Hospital will provide an improved environment to support patient recovery. Delivered as part of the Rural and Regional Infrastructure Package, the project will integrate inpatient and community mental health services within a dedicated precinct. This development will occupy the final available section of the hospital campus, following the demolition of the existing mental health unit.
Designed in close collaboration with ThomsonAdsett, with local architectural expertise from Cairns, the new facility will include
A 10-bed Mental Health Intensive Care Unit
38 beds across two adult acute Mental Health Inpatient Units
5 additional beds incorporated into these units
53 beds in total
Maximising the potential of the wedge-shaped site, the design offers expansive views of the mountains to the west and the ocean and esplanade to the east.
It balances an active urban presence with the need for privacy and a therapeutic setting for consumers.
The three-level facility will be directly connected to the existing Block A hospital building, with inpatient accommodation located on the two upper floors. Spaces are arranged in pods to cater to a diverse range of needs, from intensive care to specialised and vulnerable patient groups. The ground floor has been designed to allow for future expansion.
The project reflects contemporary clinical design principles, supporting the facility’s care model while fostering a strong connection to place. Developed in consultation with the local Indigenous community, the design integrates cultural considerations to create a supportive and inclusive environment.
