The Short Stay Unit in The Prince Charles Hospital's (TPCH) Emergency Department in Queensland, Australia, has expanded with the addition of six new beds.

This expansion was intended to accommodate more patients and reduce waiting times in the emergency department.

Costing about A$1m ($0.64m), this expansion was supported by the Department of Health's Patient Flow Intensive Program Initiative (PFLIP) to meet the needs of the growing community.

With the addition of the new beds, there are now a total of 16 treatment spaces available in the unit.

Minister for Health, Mental Health, and Ambulance Services Shannon Fentiman said: “We know that The Prince Charles Hospital is one of the busiest public hospitals in Queensland and these additional beds will support our healthcare works to continue delivering world-class healthcare.

“These works compliment the Palaszczuk Government’s commitment to investing in health services and the infrastructure needed to support them.

“The $360m expansion project at TPCH includes further expansions to the emergency department, a new acute services building, and the delivery of 94 new beds as part of our $9.78bn state-wide hospital capacity expansion programme.

“This expansion will help us to further support this rapidly growing community, and our healthcare workers, ensuring appropriate care in a timely manner.”