Delivering a visionary health and research precinct

Linking to an operating hospital

The STARS building is linked via Sky Bridge to the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital and the highly acclaimed QIMR Berghofer facility. RBWH is a 24/7 tertiary referral hospital providing state-wide specialty services, while QIMR Berghofer is one of Australia’s most successful medical research institutes, also delivered by our team in complex stages between 2007 and 2014. 

We conducted extensive design workshops to plan for the installation of the Sky Bridge. The structure was fabricated offsite by an experienced local sub-contractor and connected beneath an over-hang of the QIMR Berghofer building. Our design and engineering team developed a construction methods statement and detailed drawings for the pre-fabricated solution, which significantly reduced installation, safety and schedule risks. 

Diverse collaboration and integration

Alongside Australian Unity, the project involves nine hospital and research institute stakeholders including Metro North Hospital and Health Service (MNHHS). MNHHS is the north Brisbane public health service with two of five hospitals, the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital and The Prince Charles Hospital, as tertiary/quaternary referral hospitals. Our collaborative approach focused on: 

• Business continuity – ensuring no disruption to mission-critical health services and research, we worked with MNHHS and project partners through an agreed process for potential and planned interruptions especially around services like power and security.

• Communication strategy – we conducted regular check-ins to confirm our forward program and identify tasks for risky or potentially disruptive activities for staff, patients, visitors and the general public.

• Operational readiness – from full ward prototyping to reference and working groups, we have ensured user feedback throughout, supported preparations for staff training and a seamless handover. 

• Community engagement – local residents and businesses have been regularly informed and consulted on planned construction works. Our detailed traffic management plans included both statutory and internal communications to protect pedestrians and facilitate vehicle access.

The new facility will support the Queensland Government in its aim to attract and retain a high-quality public health workforce. The precinct will accommodate 13,000 clinical and non-clinical staff, scientists, researchers and students working across more than 30 health facilities, medical research institutes, universities and organisations.

Enhancing specialist healthcare 

The new STARS facility has been designed to provide a range of new and expanded healthcare services to:

• Increase access to geriatric and specialist rehabilitation services, elective surgery and endoscopy services

• Meet the growing demand for specialist rehabilitation services

• Reduce the number of sub-acute rehabilitation patients being treated in acute beds

• Ensure more patients have access to services within clinically recommended timeframes

• Reduce patient wait times for specialist rehabilitation and elective surgery and endoscopy services.