Older adults on the Gold Coast are set to benefit from a new model of care, with the official opening of the $76.9 million Sub-Acute Expansion, H Block, at Gold Coast University Hospital later this month.
Known as H Block, the 70-bed purpose-built facility includes dedicated spaces for the care of people experiencing frailty, cognitive impairment and the behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD).
Part of the Queensland Government’s Hospital Rescue Plan, the facility brings together three connected services over three floors under one roof: two Geriatric Evaluation and Management (GEM) units, a Complex Management Unit (CMU), and a new Acute Cognitive Unit (ACU).
Designed to foster recovery and improve care outcomes, H Block features therapeutic terraces, calming colour palettes, natural light and a mix of single and double rooms tailored to the needs of older adults.
Importantly, H Block helps relieve pressure on the broader health system while supporting clinicians to deliver compassionate, structured and person-centred care in the right environment.
Clinical Director Rehabilitation, Aged Care and Community Services (RACCS) Dr Benjamin Chen said H Block was a critical step forward in providing the kind of care that the community’s ageing population deserves – compassionate, clinically advanced and truly person-centred.
“About 80,000 Queenslanders – and about 11,000 Gold Coasters – live with dementia today – among them are people with younger onset dementia – some in their 30s, 40s and 50s,” Dr Chen said.
“Many of these patients live with frailty, cognitive impairment or behavioural changes caused by dementia, which is now the second leading cause of death in Australia – and for women, the leading cause.
“We often talk about ‘home-like’ environments – by which we mean places that are comfortable, relaxed and conducive to recovery. The environment here is light-filled, with therapeutic terraces, calming colour palettes and good lines of sight for care.
“H Block makes real what we know to be true: that good environments support good care. We can’t stop our patients from growing old, but we can do better in how we meet their needs.”
The opening of H Block is part of Gold Coast Health’s broader commitment to supporting older adults to age well, with more than 1,600 staff trained in dementia care ahead of its staged opening from 23 September 2025.
Much has taken place behind the scenes to prepare for this opening. Already, more than 1,600 clinicians have received dementia care training.
Gold Coast Health has recruited new staff, increased graduate nurse intakes and added a mid-year junior doctor program, working closely with university partners to ensure the right workforce is in place across the whole system.
Gold Coast Health Board Chair Professor Cindy Shannon AM said H Block provided a dedicated, purpose-built environment for older adults with complex needs.
“In our lifetime, it’s likely every one of us will be touched by the impacts of dementia – whether it’s a loved one, a colleague or even ourselves,” Professor Shannon said.
“When planning our services, we always put ourselves in the shoes of our consumer and aim to provide a standard that we would be comfortable with for our own loved ones.
“This facility also helps to ease pressure across our wider system, allowing our clinicians to deliver care in the right environment, with the right resources.”
