The Geriatric Evaluation and Management (GEM) Unit has opened at Gold Coast Health’s H Block inpatient facility at Gold Coast University Hospital (GCUH), marking the completion of a connected model of sub-acute care for older adults across the region.
It comes after services commenced in late September 2025 in the combined Acute Cognitive Unit (ACU) / Geriatric Evaluation and Management (GEM) Unit, followed by the Complex Management Unit (CMU), which relocated from Robina Hospital.
Gold Coast Health Rehabilitation, Aged Care and Community Services (RACCS) Clinical Director Dr Ben Chen said the GEM Unit supports older adults at a critical point in their hospital journey.
“For many older patients, the period after acute illness can be challenging,” Dr Chen said.
“The GEM Unit provides dedicated care focused on recovery, independence and planning for the next stage of care in an environment designed specifically for older adults.”
Specialised inpatient care focuses on comprehensive geriatric assessment, rehabilitation and restoring function, supporting recovery and safe transitions from hospital.
The purpose-built environment supports dignity, calmness and confidence, helping patients progress through their recovery while remaining connected to family, carers and the wider health service.
Gold Coast Health Junior Doctor Dr Ammar Kashif said the unit was designed to feel welcoming for both patients and families.
“The GEM Unit has been designed to feel calm and welcoming rather than clinical,” Dr Kashif said.
“From the spacious rooms to the family lounge areas, everything has been thoughtfully planned to support older adults and give families space to spend meaningful time together.”
Gold Coast Health Nurse Unit Manager GEM Unit Elizabeth Soleil-Moudiky-joh said the opening of the unit reflects a strong focus on person-centred care for older adults.
“Older adults don’t need us to take over – they need us to support their independence,” Elizabeth said.
“The GEM Unit provides a space where patients can rebuild confidence and reconnect with everyday activities, supported by clinicians who are close by and focused on what matters most to them.”
Allied Health staff say the GEM Unit’s model supports holistic care.
Gold Coast Health Speech Pathology Clinical Assistant Cheryl Gianz said working in the GEM Unit meant understanding the whole person, not just their clinical needs.
“Knowing a patient’s history and what matters to them means we can work together as a team to provide holistic care in a calm, respectful environment,” Cheryl said.
The opening of the GEM Unit is supported by a strong workforce model, with a large cohort of new staff joining alongside experienced clinicians transitioning into H Block.
Gold Coast Health Graduate Registered Nurse Laura Bemelman said the orientation and simulation training had helped staff feel prepared and supported.
“As a new graduate, it’s exciting to start in a unit where there’s strong support and a welcoming environment,” Laura said.
“The training and simulations have helped build confidence from day one.”
Gold Coast Health Nursing Director Rehabilitation, Aged Care and Community Services (RACCS) Catherine King said since the opening of the combined ACU/GEM Unit and the CMU, teams are observing
positive impacts on day-to-day management.
“The purpose-built environment and integrated model of care, combined with the commitment and skill of our nursing teams, enables earlier intervention and more effective therapeutic engagement through strategies that support patients and de-escalate complex behaviours”.
Part of the Queensland Government’s Hospital Rescue Plan, H Block brings together three connected services under one roof, ensuring older adults and those with complex care needs receive care in the right setting, at the right time.
The completion of the GEM Unit finalises the H Block facility, strengthening sub-acute capacity at GCUH and supporting improved patient flow across the health service.
