First look inside the new H Block for staff
01 Sep 2025
The tours gave staff an early look inside the bright and spacious wards and support areas, with many eager to see how bringing specialist services for older adults and people living with cognitive or behavioural challenges under one roof will enhance care.
Those who attended were able to ask questions, explore the new environment and understand how the design supports both patients and staff. For those who couldn’t attend, a walkthrough video is now available.
H Block has been designed specifically to support older adults and people living with cognitive or behavioural challenges. Services will open in stages from late September.
The new building will house three specialist services – two Geriatric Evaluation and Management (GEM) Units and an Acute Cognitive Unit (ACU) for people experiencing the Behavioural and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia (BPSD) – as well as a Complex Management Unit (CMU) for patients with complex psychosocial and medical needs.
Gold Coast Health Clinical Director of Rehabilitation Aged Care and Community Services, Dr Benjamin Chen, said H Block represents a major step forward for patient care.
“The new H Block marks a new era for older adult care,” Dr Chen said.
“It brings together compassionate teams, a modern environment and person-centred care – all under one roof.”
Gold Coast Health Nursing Director of Rehabilitation Aged Care and Community Services, Catherine King, said every detail had been considered to support patients and their families.
“From colour choices to accessibility, every feature is designed with older adults in mind and focused on what matters most to them,” Ms King said.
Located next to C Block and the Transfer Unit at GCUH, and connected via a linkway, H Block will expand bed capacity across Gold Coast Health. This will help ease pressure on acute wards at both GCUH and Robina Hospital, improve patient flow, and ensure more effective use of existing beds.
Services will start in stages from late September, beginning with the GEM and ACU units on the Ground Floor. The CMU will relocate from Robina Hospital soon after, followed by the final opening of the 24-bed GEM Unit on the Lower Ground level, completing a total of 36 GEM beds in H Block.
Source: Gold Coast Health
