Queensland’s Surgical, Treatment and Rehabilitation Service (STARS) has begun treating patients in Brisbane.
Described as ‘digital ready’ hospital, the new 182-bed, $340 million facility is the first building to be completed as part of the $1.1 billion Herston Quarter redevelopment.
Visiting the hospital, Premier, Annastacia Palaszczuk said the STARS was set to become one of Australia’s largest rehabilitation facilities to treat patients requiring general and complex rehabilitation care.
“I was here at the beginning of construction in 2018 and to now see it completed and welcoming patients is just incredible,” Ms Palaszczuk said.
“Healthcare, including elective surgery, is now under way and this is set to reduce patient wait lists and increase access to specialist treatment for approximately 100,000 Queenslanders each year.”
Minister for Health, Yvette D’Ath said patient care would be redefined by digital technology as well as the extensive range of new and enhanced specialist services at the STARS.
“As a digital hospital, clinicians will have access to patient medical information at their fingertips on computers and devices instead of paper files, freeing up their time to care for patients instead of doing paperwork,” Ms D’Ath said.
“The STARS will not just benefit people in the South-East but the whole State and will mean an additional 14,000 gastroenterology procedures, 12,000 surgical procedures and 4,830 diagnostic procedures can be performed each year by creating extra capacity at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital and other public hospitals.”
