- The Crisafulli Government is delivering on its election commitment to expand hospital transit lounges to reduce ramping and free up hospital beds.
- Rockhampton Hospital is among 30 new treatment spaces to help deliver easier access to health services.
- The Crisafulli Government is delivering easier access to health services, and a fresh start for Queensland.
The Crisafulli Government is delivering easier access to health services for Central Queenslanders, announcing the second phase of the hospital transit lounge expansion.
The upgrade at Rockhampton Hospital will improve patient flow and ease pressure on the Emergency Department with an additional eight treatment spaces, from 12 to 20, complementing the recent launch of an eight-space Gladstone Transit Lounge.
Since opening in November 2025, Gladstone Hospital’s new Transit Lounge has helped more than 130 people a month and has improved Emergency Department access and flow across the hospital.
The Transit Lounge has comfortable chairs, beds, TVs and tea and coffee facilities, allowing patients to rest in a comfortable and safe space while their discharge paperwork and medications are finalised.
Member for Rockhampton Donna Kirkland MP said this fresh start for Rockhampton Hospital turns the tide on a decade of decline that left Queenslanders vulnerable.
“Unlike under the former Labor Government, patients will no longer be left to languish in hallways or stuck on stretchers,” Ms Kirkland said.
“A bigger transit lounge means more people getting through our health system sooner, while freeing up beds for those who need them most.”
Member for Keppel Nigel Hutton said the Crisafulli Government is getting on with the job of fixing Queensland’s health system.
“Needing urgent medical attention is rarely something you can predict, and the last thing you need on your worst day is a bottle-necked hospital,” Mr Hutton said.
“This upgrade means frontline staff and our entire hospital system will be under less pressure, and better able to support people needing help.”
Member for Mirani Glen Kelly MP said the Crisafulli Government is delivering real results to heal Labor’s Health Crisis.
“This is the second phase of the Crisafulli Government’s $80 million investment in expanded transit lounges,” Mr Kelly said.
“Regional hospitals are so vital to our widespread communities.
“Knowing that patients can wait in a safe space to be picked up, while freeing up hospital resources for Queenslanders on their worst day, will come as a huge relief to those of us who rely on this hospital.”
Central Queensland Hospital and Health Service Chief Executive Lisa Blackler said Rockhampton Hospital Transit Lounge contributed greatly to faster patient discharge, and the planned expansion will further improve patient flow, allowing better access to inpatient beds, and the Emergency Department.
“In the past, most patients were discharged in the afternoon, but our Transit Lounge has moved that forward, and when patients are identified as ready to go home, they can wait in a safe, comfortable space while our team finalises medications, discharge summaries, final test results, or they wait for their transport home,” Ms Blackler said.
“Our Transit Lounges are open seven days a week and are staffed by nurses who constantly receive great feedback about their caring and welcoming nature from patients who are grateful for this comfortable space.
“The extra eight treatment spaces in Rockhampton will be an extremely valuable resource as we work hard to ensure the right patient is in the right place at the right time.”
These three expansions are in addition to the seven projects the Crisafulli Government announced in September 2025 to deliver transit lounges at some of Queensland’s busiest hospitals.
New or expanded transit lounges are on track to be operational by the end of 2026 at Cairns Hospital, Gladstone Hospital, Mackay Base Hospital, Logan Hospital, Redland Hospital, Townsville University Hospital and Ipswich Hospital are, with some already online.