The state government of Queensland, Australia, has released artist impressions of the Princess Alexandra (PA) Hospital expansion project in Brisbane.

The A$350m ($230.5m) project will include the addition of 219 acute inpatient beds and 30 intensive care units (ICU) beds, as well as 13 new cancer treatment bays and other reconfigured specialist treatment spaces.

It will involve building five new floors above the hospital’s emergency department to accommodate the increased number of beds proposed under the plan.

These floors will include four clinical spaces and a dedicated floor for plant and machinery.

Expected to open in the second half of 2026, the extension will significantly increase the hospital's capacity, equating to nearly three full rugby league fields in size.

It aims to improve patient flow and give patients in south Brisbane access to critical healthcare services such as acute care, intensive care and emergency services.

The artist's impression also shows how the new facilities will integrate smoothly with the existing hospital building and structure along with the new treating equipment and additional number of beds.

The project is part of the Queensland government’s Capital Expansion Programme, which is claimed to be the nation’s largest health capital programme.

The works build on the ongoing A$5.8m renovation and expansion of the renal high dependency unit, which will provide a further three treatment spaces.

Queensland Health Minister Shannon Fentiman said: “The Miles Government’s $350m PA rooftop expansion will deliver up to a 26% increase on existing inpatient bed capacity.

“It means more beds, more treatment spaces, better patient care, and more than 1,150 jobs during the life of construction.”

In July 2022, the Queensland government confirmed an investment of A$355.8m for PA Hospital.

Of this investment, A$350m was reserved for the hospital’s expansion and A$5.8m for refurbishing the renal unit.