Meet Medical Workforce Services Director Sacha A’Bell. Sacha is making sure the medical staff who will use the spaces at the new Coomera Hospital – scheduled to be finished late 2027 – have a say in its design.
What does your current role involve?
I manage a team responsible for contracting, onboarding, policy, compliance and ongoing support for about 950 junior medical officers. This includes medical students, interns, house officers, fellows, trainees and registrars. I also support the executive team and collaborate with clinical and medical directors across the Gold Coast Hospital and Health Service to ensure optimal medical resourcing.
What has your role been in the new Coomera Hospital?
My peers and I are providing input into the design for the doctors' lounge, sleep rooms and the education building. My role will likely expand in scope, ensuring that we engage with the staff who will use the amenities. Drawing on lessons from Gold Coast University Hospital and Robina sites, we’re aiming to achieve the best outcomes possible within the funding and space requirements.
Why is it important that clinicians have input into this future facility?
Involvement from all relevant streams and cohorts is essential for designing the spaces they will occupy and utilise. Feedback and recommendations from clinicians in our working group are invaluable and would have otherwise been missed without their engagement. For the sleep rooms, it's crucial to minimise access and noise transfer to ensure minimal disruption for doctors on proximate call, who need to be available within 10 minutes for acute patient settings. We're also maximising the functionality of the Doctors Lounge to ensure it can be cross-utilised by the medical cohort.
Do you have a highlight?
Working with the project team has been great. It’s brilliant to see the architects listen to our concerns and recommendations and then implement those changes into the design for the benefit of all.
What do you hope the new Coomera Hospital will be?
I envision the new facility at Coomera providing a much-needed support for health services for the fast-growing corridor between the Gold Coast and Brisbane. The design and build have considered cultural, diversity and inclusive spaces to accommodate patients, visitors and staff. The parking and accessibility via public transport also seem well considered.
Lastly, what do you do to stay healthy?
I stay active and healthy with good nutrition, running, swimming, surfing and spending time outdoors with family and friends.
