Building Insights with Dr Benjamin Chen
04 Sep 2025
Dr Chen has been with Gold Coast Health for nearly 20 years and has extensive experience caring for some of the community’s most complex patients.
A career dedicated to older adults
Dr Chen’s journey into medicine was motivated by a desire to help people in need. As a rehabilitation physician, he has worked closely with older adults, recognising the complexity of their care needs. He says that understanding patients’ individual circumstances – whether pain, confusion, or fear – and working closely with families and the multidisciplinary team is central to delivering effective care.
“My patients often don’t have a loud voice in the system, but their stories and needs matter,” Dr Chen said. Personal experiences caring for his own ageing parents have also shaped his approach, helping him understand the challenges families face and emphasising empathy, patience, and respect in his clinical practice.
What makes H Block special
H Block is the first purpose-built space for older adults within the tertiary hospital. Unlike shared or general wards, it provides an environment designed to support the needs of older patients, including those living with dementia or behavioural and psychological symptoms. The facility features light-filled, quiet spaces, single and double rooms, accessible gardens, and design elements such as colour palettes and clear lines of sight that improve patient comfort and outcomes.
Services offered
H Block brings together three specialised services:
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Two Geriatric Evaluation and Management (GEM) Units for patients recovering from illness or injury.
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A Complex Management Unit (CMU) supporting patients with multiple psychosocial, disability, or behavioural challenges.
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An Acute Cognitive Unit (ACU) for patients living with dementia-related symptoms, such as agitation or aggression.
This structure allows Gold Coast Health to provide care that is highly tailored, structured, and person-centred.
Impact for the Gold Coast community
H Block sets a new standard for older adult care. With over 433,000 Australians currently living with dementia – a number expected to nearly double by 2054 – facilities like H Block demonstrate Gold Coast Health’s commitment to leading the way in specialised care for older adults.
For more information about H Block and to take a video tour of the new facility, visit Gold Coast University Hospital.
Source: Gold Coast Health
