Cairns Hospital

Overview

Cairns Hospital is the major referral hospital for Far North Queensland, serving a vast catchment area from Torres Strait to Tully and west to the Northern Territory border. With approximately 650 beds, the hospital provides comprehensive tertiary-level services including emergency care, intensive care, specialised surgery, cardiology, oncology, neurosurgery, obstetrics, pediatrics, mental health, and rehabilitation. Operating under Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service, Cairns Hospital underwent a major $450 million redevelopment completed in 2015, significantly enhancing its capabilities. The facility serves as the referral center for smaller hospitals throughout Far North Queensland and the Torres Strait, covering a population of approximately 250,000 people across a geographically vast and culturally diverse region. Cairns Hospital has developed significant expertise in tropical medicine, Indigenous health, and aeromedical services. The facility serves as a teaching hospital affiliated with James Cook University and plays a vital role in healthcare workforce development for northern Australia.