Plans for Greenslopes Medical Precinct Greenlit Despite Neighbouring Hospital’s Legal Opposition

A proposed medical center near Greenslopes Private Hospital, known as the “Greenslopes Medical Precinct,” has been granted approval to proceed, despite facing a legal challenge from the neighbouring hospital.


Read: Community Staple Press and Brew Closes Down, Makes Way For Planned Community Health Care Centre


Plans

Greenslopes Medical Precinct
Artist’s impression of Greenslopes Medical Precinct (Photo credit: greenslopesmedicalprecinct.com.au)

The Council-approved development at 68-72 Hunter Street in Greenslopes will transform the current site, which currently housed a cafe and three residential dwellings. The existing dwellings are currently being torn down to make way for the new medical facility.

The new medical precinct promises significant infrastructure improvements, including:

– Parking capacity for approximately 123 vehicles

– Two-hour free patient parking

– Secured parking for medical specialists

– An on-site ambulance bay to facilitate rapid emergency responses

Greenslopes Medical Precinct
Photo credit: greenslopesmedicalprecinct.com.au

The building, designed by architecture firm Gray Puksand, features a comprehensive and thoughtful layout across multiple levels. The ground floor will include a welcoming lobby, various tenancy spaces, practical store rooms, essential amenities, and a dedicated loading bay to facilitate service deliveries. 

On the first and second levels, the design incorporates additional tenancy spaces and medical amenities, aiming to provide flexible and functional areas for healthcare professionals and patients. 

“The proposal maintains a health focused precinct along Headfort Street which will serve the local community and is complementary to the Greenslopes Private Hospital. The proposed Community care centre and Health care service uses are consistent with the expectations of the zoning and the surrounding locality,” planners stated in the approved plans.

Local Opposition

Greenslopes Medical Precinct
Photo credit: Greenslopes Private Hospital/Google Maps

The project faced opposition from Ramsay Health Care, which operates Greenslopes Private Hospital. However, it appears that the legal challenge by Ramsay Health Care was ultimately unsuccessful.

The company took its concerns to the Planning and Environment Court, arguing that the new development might not be complementary to the existing hospital.

However, Judge Amanda McDonnell rejected Ramsay’s claims, finding that complementary development does not necessarily mean avoiding competition or duplication of medical services.


Read: Greenslopes Doctors Return from Lifesaving Mission in Uganda


Construction is expected to commence sometime next year, marking a significant expansion of medical infrastructure in the Greenslopes area.

Published 27-November-2024

Greenslopes Doctors Return from Lifesaving Mission in Uganda

Prof. Judith Goh AO and Prof. Hannah Krause AO, two Greenslopes urogynaecologists, recently returned from Uganda, where they performed over 140 procedures for women suffering from serious gynaecological issues in remote areas.



The trip, which took place in early September 2024, saw the pair working at Kagando Hospital in western Uganda. In just a short span, they treated more than 200 women, many of whom were experiencing childbirth-related injuries such as vaginal fistulas and untreated 4th-degree tears, conditions that are often left unaddressed in resource-limited areas.

“We treated mostly women with childbirth-related injuries – including vaginal fistulas and unrepaired 4th-degree tears. We also treated women with pelvic organ prolapse,” said Prof. Goh, reflecting on the challenges faced by women in Uganda. “It’s wonderful to be able to use our skills to help these women.”

Almost 30 Years of Volunteer Work

Prof. Goh and Prof. Krause have been volunteering in Asia and Africa since 1995. For nearly three decades, they have dedicated their time and expertise to providing critical healthcare in areas where it is most needed. 

Greenslopes doctors
Photo Credit: File Photo/Greenslopes Private Hospital

Remarkably, the two doctors cover their own travel costs for each trip, while Greenslopes Private Hospital supports the mission by donating medical equipment.

Their work in Uganda is part of an ongoing commitment to improving women’s health in regions where access to specialised medical care is scarce. The duo’s next mission is scheduled for South Sudan in October 2024, where they plan to continue providing essential gynaecological care.

Recognition and Support

In recognition of their extraordinary humanitarian contributions, both Prof. Goh and Prof. Krause have been awarded the Officer of the Order of Australia, a prestigious honour celebrating their selfless work over the years.

Greenslopes Private Hospital CEO, Justin Greenwell, praised the two doctors for their dedication: “I commend Prof. Goh and Prof. Krause on their humanitarian efforts – the world needs more people like them both. Greenslopes Private Hospital is proud to support their work and to donate to such a great cause again this year.”



As the doctors prepare for their next mission in South Sudan, their ongoing work continues to highlight the important role that Australian medical professionals play in improving global healthcare, particularly for women in underserved communities.

Greenslopes Private Hospital Celebrates 500th Life-Changing Heart Procedure

A 91-year-old Stradbroke Island resident has made history as the 500th person to undergo a minimally invasive heart procedure at Greenslopes Private Hospital.



Sydney Owens, who had been grappling with severe aortic stenosis, underwent transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) led by Dr. Peter Hadjipetrou.

TAVI, a less invasive alternative to open-heart surgery, involves replacing a narrowed aortic valve with an artificial one through a catheter inserted in the groyne. This approach significantly reduces recovery time and surgical trauma for patients.

Dr. Hadjipetrou expressed his pride in participating in this milestone procedure, emphasising its significance in the hospital’s commitment to advanced cardiac care. He highlighted that reaching 500 TAVI cases signifies a shift towards less invasive options, offering patients a better quality of life and a faster recovery.

The success of the TAVI programme is attributed to the collaborative effort of the cardiac team and the state-of-the-art facilities at Greenslopes Private Hospital. Dr. Hadjipetrou commended the team’s expertise and dedication, acknowledging their instrumental role in providing exceptional care to patients with heart conditions.

The hospital boasts a custom-built hybrid operating theatre for cardiac and vascular cases. This unique facility enables a seamless transition from

Additionally, the hospital’s comprehensive approach ensures that patients receive emergency care, procedures, and post-operative rehabilitation all under one roof.

Dr. Hadjipetrou thanked Sydney Owens and all patients, their families, and the healthcare team for their support and collaboration in achieving this remarkable feat.

This milestone showcases the hospital’s commitment to innovation and reaffirms its position as a leader in cardiac care.



Published Date 30-July-2024

Pioneering Prostate Cancer Treatment Hits 20-Year Milestone at Greenslopes Private Hospital

Did you know that this year marks the 20th anniversary of a pioneering, minimally invasive procedure for the treatment of prostate cancer treatment at Greenslopes Private Hospital?


Read: Queensland Health Unveils $8 Billion Hospital Expansion Plan, Including Princess Alexandra Hospital


The low-dose-rate (LDR) brachytherapy program was pioneered in 2003 by a dedicated team of specialists – Radiation Oncologist Associate Professor Kumar Gogna, Consultant Urologist Dr Glen Wood, and Medical Physicist Mr Adrian Gibbs.

Two decades later, this clinical trio still practises together at Greenslopes, having treated hundreds of prostate cancer patients over the years. Their collaboration and shared goal of supporting patient choice and offering evidence-based treatments continues to this day.

prostate cancer treatment
Photo credit: Tara Winstead/Pexels

As Mr Gibbs reflects, they were united 20 years ago under the common goal of providing another option for prostate cancer patients. Since then, they have worked together to treat many men with LDR brachytherapy.

What is LDR brachytherapy?

LDR brachytherapy involves inserting radioactive seeds directly into the prostate to target cancer cells with radiation whilst minimising damage to surrounding healthy tissue. At the time, it expanded the minimally invasive treatment possibilities for prostate cancer patients at Greenslopes and in Queensland.

Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among Australian men, with over 24,000 new cases annually. 

prostate cancer treatment
Photo credit: Greenslopes Private Hospital/Facebook

Dr Wood emphasises that offering a full spectrum of care for patients living with prostate cancer remains a top priority for them at Greenslopes.

A/Prof Gogna adds that their team is proud to keep supporting Queenslanders in need, sharing knowledge about this important treatment, and mentoring other clinicians locally and abroad to establish their own LDR brachytherapy programs. Their expertise has been shared with colleagues in Townsville, Singapore, and Wollongong.


Read: Vaxxas: Pioneering Needle-Free Skin Patch Vaccine Technology


The pioneering brachytherapy team reflects on the past 20 years of collaboration and innovation in minimally invasive prostate cancer treatment. Their patient-focused approach continues to make a positive impact at Greenslopes and beyond.

Published 25-July-2023

Community Staple Press and Brew Closes Down, Makes Way For Planned Community Health Care Centre

After operating in the area for more than four years, Press and Brew has closed for good, marking the end of this popular cafe across the road from Greenslopes Private Hospital. 


Read: Greenslopes Private Hospital Orthopaedic Surgeon Trains Future Shoulder Surgeons From Around the World


The closure of Press and Brew leaves a void on Hunter Street that many will feel, missing the cafe’s friendly service and signature coffee and breakfast burgers.

This comes as a developer submitted plans for 68-72 Hunter St, the site where the cafe and three more residential dwellings are located. The existing buildings on the subject site will be demolished if the development application is given the green light.

Photo credit: Morgan Khuu/Google Maps

Plans

Photo credit: Gray Puksand

The development application was submitted to Brisbane City Council in March 2023 by Ron Build Pty Ltd, who aims to construct a three-storey commercial building with parking for around 123 vehicles. 


Designed by architecture firm Gray Puksand, the building will feature tenancy, including amenities and services on Levels 1-2;  lobby, tenancy, store, amenities, refuse, loading bay for services on the ground floor; and car parking, person with disabilities parking, and bicycle parking on the basement.

“The proposal maintains a health focused precinct along Headfort Street which will serve the local community and is complementary to the Greenslopes Private Hospital. The proposed Community care centre and Health care service uses are consistent with the expectations of the zoning and the surrounding locality,” planners at Town Planning Alliance noted.

Locals’ Reactions

Subject site (Photo credit: Google Street View)

Whilst some locals welcome new healthcare options in the neighbourhood, others have raised concerns about the building’s size and its potential impacts on traffic and access to the nearby Greenslopes Private Hospital emergency department.

In response to these concerns, the applicant provided a traffic study showing the centre would only add 1-2 trips per minute during peak times – a “negligible impact” on surrounding roads. They stated this will not hinder emergency vehicle access to the hospital.


Read: 3-Hour Street Parking Limit, Resident Parking Permits Could be Adopted in Greenslopes


Additionally, the applicant noted the new building was designed to connect to the Greenslopes Medical Centre and blend with the scale of existing structures along Newdegate Street. 

Published 17-July-2023

Greenslopes’ Prof Ashish Gupta Takes Part in Shoulder Live Surgeries

Did you know that Professor Ashish Gupta from the Greenslopes Private Hospital recently took part in a 36-hour non-stop event which saw leading surgeons from 19 countries perform up to 35 shoulder surgeries streamed live online?


Read: Greenslopes Private Hospital Celebrates 80th Anniversary With $72-M Expansion


Professor Gupta co-chaired ‘East Meets West,’ consisting of 36 hours of nonstop surgery by leading surgeons from 19 countries. Up to 35 shoulder surgeries were performed for this event, co-chaired by Prof Gupta representing the ‘East’ with Dr. Jean Kany from a Ramsay Health Care hospital in Toulouse representing the West.

The orthopaedic surgeon at Greenslopes Private Hospital performed the surgery on 14 October 2022, and it’s being streamed live online around the world, with more than 1,200 organisations worldwide watching.

For his surgery, Professor Gupta performed a humeral allograft and latarjet for bipolar bone loss for chronic shoulder instability using mixed reality planning by medtech company Akunah. 

Other surgeries included advances in total shoulder arthroplasty, rotator cuff repair, superior capsular reconstruction, robotic tendon transfers, and instability procedures.

Ashish Gupta
Dr Ashish Gupta (Photo credit: QLD Ortho Clinic)

“I am proud to be involved in this event. It is a great opportunity to share my technique on a complex shoulder instability case and to show how mixed reality can significantly assist surgeons to become more accurate with their surgeries,” Professor Gupta said.

Professor Gupta was interested to see how surgeons are innovating and pushing the boundaries in other countries, and how they strive to provide better outcomes for the patients.

It was not the first time that Professor Gupta has shared his skills with others for the benefit of surgeons around the world. In the past, he has already supervised many international surgeons awarded fellowships from the Australian Shoulder Research Institute (ASRI).


Read: Greenslopes Private Hospital Orthopaedic Surgeon Trains Future Shoulder Surgeons From Around the World


Professor Gupta mentored surgeons from Nepal, Lebanon, the Netherlands, and Mexico who travelled all the way to Australia to learn from him to learn advanced skills in arthroscopic techniques along with gaining exposure to shoulder arthroplasty, especially revision shoulder arthroplasty.

Greenslopes Stormwater Drainage Undergoes Upgrade

The Greenslopes stormwater drainage system is set to get an upgrade. The project encompasses streets around the Greenslopes Private Hospital including Denman Street, Hunter Street and Newdegate Street.



Council is undertaking an upgrade of the Greenslopes stormwater drainage which will involve replacing the existing stormwater pipes that run along the centre of Denman, Hunter and Newdegate Streets. The project will also see the upgrading of the gully that connects the stormwater in Hunter Street as well as providing connections to the existing stormwater pipes and drainage.

Sections of the road will be closed to traffic to make way for the construction which is expected to be completed by mid-April 2023. 

Details of the construction works which will be conducted Monday to Friday between 7 am and 5 pm are as follows:

Denman Street, between Henry Street and Newdegate Street

  • This first location will have works starting on Monday 17 October and will require a full road closure. Completion of this part of the project is expected to be by end of November (weather permitting).
  • Residents will be able to access their property from Henry Street via traffic control during work hours.

Denman Street, between Thomas Street and Newdegate Street

  • Works on this section will commence in late October and are expected to be completed by early December (weather permitting).
  • Residents will be able to access their property from Thomas Street via traffic control during work hours.

Newdegate Street, between Denman Street and Hunter Street

  • Work will begin in this stage in early December 2022 and be completed by late January 2023. Work, however, will pause during the Christmas shutdown period.
  • This project will require single-lane closures with traffic controllers on site.

Hunter Street, between Newdegate Street and Nicholson Street

  • This project will start in early February 2023 and be completed by mid-April (weather permitting).
  • This street will be closed to traffic throughout construction. Residents will be able to access their properties via traffic control.


The Greenslopes stormwater drainage upgrade project is among the Flood Resilience Projects currently being undertaken by Brisbane City Council which has so far completed stormwater drainage upgrades on Ann Street and James Street in Fortitude Valley; Chermside and Helen Streets in Teneriffe; and Ipswich Road in Woolloongabba.

No Out-of-Pocket Costs for Participants of New Lung Cancer Program at Greenslopes Private Hospital

Photo Credit: Eddie K/Pixabay

A new program with no out-of-pocket costs aimed at supporting lung cancer patients who are undergoing both chemotherapy and radiotherapy has been launched at the Greenslopes Private Hospital and seven other Ramsay Health Care facilities.



The Ramsay Lung Cancer Rehabilitation Pilot Program is a six-month program that delivers rehabilitation, physiotherapy, and nutrition support to patients with unresectable stage 3 non-small-cell lung cancer, the most common type of lung cancer. 

With support from AstraZeneca Australia & New Zealand, the program provides patients access to a Cancer Care Navigator who will work with an allied health team during chemotherapy and radiotherapy in supporting the patients when it comes to their nutrition and physiotherapy to regain their strength, mobility, and function.

Ramsay Health Plus and its facilities will provide qualified physiotherapists, exercise physiologists, and dieticians.

Greenslopes Private Hospital Ramsay Lung Cancer Rehabilitation Pilot Program
Photo Credit: Greenslopes Private Hospital

Aside from Greenslopes Private Hospital, the Ramsay Lung Cancer Rehabilitation Pilot Program is also available at St George Private Hospital, Hollywood Private Hospital, John Flynn Private Hospital, Warringal Private Hospital, Wollongong Private Hospital, Lake Macquarie Private Hospital, and The Border Cancer Hospital. AstraZeneca Australia & New Zealand will pay for any cost that will not be covered by the patient’s health insurance. 

“The Ramsay Lung Cancer Rehabilitation Pilot Program will provide patients with appropriate exercise and nutrition plans to put them in the best health to undergo their cancer treatment,” Physiotherapist and National Manager of Ramsay Health Plus, Dylan Rowley, said



“Eating well and feeling strong and fit can have a big impact on your mental health, reduce the side effects of treatment and optimise your treatment outcomes.”

Greenslopes Private Hospital Orthopaedic Surgeon Trains Future Shoulder Surgeons From Around the World

Three surgeons from around the world are set to train under Professor Ashish Gupta, a renowned orthopaedic surgeon at the Greenslopes Private Hospital who has also previously trained nine other international orthopaedic surgeons to become experts in orthopaedic shoulder surgery.


Read: Greenslopes Private Hospital Celebrates 80th Anniversary With $72-M Expansion


This comes after the Australian Shoulder Research Institute has awarded fellowships to the surgeons, who came all the way from Nepal, Lebanon, and the Netherlands.

Professor Gupta said the fellowship program aims to promote shoulder training and knowledge globally and to provide equal opportunity to orthopaedic surgeons from around the world who are interested in shoulder subspeciality training.

According to Professor Gupta, the shoulder subspeciality fellowship is a voluntary program which orthopaedic surgeons undertake to further promote their skills and education. 

They have trained fellows from all over the world who have gone back to their individual countries and are working as subspeciality orthopaedic shoulder surgeons.

greenslopes
Photo credit: Greenslopes Private Hospital/Google Maps

“Over the course of the last few years, we have established an international reputation as a centre of excellence for shoulder training in Brisbane,” he said.

“The fellows come here to learn advanced skills in arthroscopic techniques along with gaining exposure to shoulder arthroplasty, especially revision shoulder arthroplasty,” Professor Gupta added.

He said the fellows were also given a phenomenal opportunity of research through the Queensland Unit for Advanced Shoulder Research for projects leading to publications.

prof gupta
Professor Gupta (Photo credit: Greenslopes Private Hospital/Facebook)

The fellowship, which is a recurring program, usually receives applications two to three years in advance.

Dr Nagmani Singh, one of his trainees who was from Nepal, said Professor Gupta’s experience and reputation is what drew him to the fellowship.

“Also, Professor Gupta’s consultation demeanour with  patients is detailed and friendly and I am extremely impressed by it,” Dr Singh said.

Aside from using his new skills to treat patients in his home country, Dr Singh will also move into the role of teacher, educating future shoulder surgeons when he returns home in Nepal. 

Greenslopes Private Hospital Celebrates 80th Anniversary With $72-M Expansion

To mark Greenslopes Private Hospital’s 80th anniversary, Ramsay Health Care hospital has unveiled a $72-million expansion, boosting the medical facility’s ability to deliver the best possible health care treatments for the best patient outcomes.



The expansion which began construction in 2020 includes a three-story infill building that houses new rooms for day surgery procedures. There are also additional operating theatres and an expanded Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

Meanwhile, the newly constructed two-storey building adds 64 private en-suite rooms across two levels whilst the existing emergency department that has been refurbished now contains an additional seven beds, offering patients more space and privacy.

Greenslopes Private Hospital CEO, Chris Went, said that with the expansion, the hospital now has “22 operating theatres, including a hybrid theatre equipped with medical imaging equipment which will allow the facility to perform both open and minimally invasive procedures. 

Greenslopes Private Hospital
Photo Credit: Ramsay Health Care / ramsayhealth.com.au

“There is currently a high demand for inpatient beds, and with both the expansion of the emergency department and the additional operating theatres, the 64 new beds will allow us to service this increased capacity,” she said



Originally built as a military hospital, the facility currently employs about 2,500 staff and admits approximately 91,500 patients each year, contributing to almost $200 million in economic contributions annually.

“We began as a military hospital and still have strong ties to the military today. We have our wonderful Diggers Dozen, who since 1990 have dedicated so much time to volunteering to help our patients and our community,” Ms Went said. 

“The Gallipoli Medical Research Foundation (GMRF) is also based at Greenslopes Private Hospital. Greenslopes Private provides in-kind support allowing them to invest every cent donated to them into supporting current and ex-serving Australia Defence Force personnel, their families and the Australian community through medical research.” 

Greenslopes Private Hospital
Photo Credit: Ramsay Health Care / ramsayhealth.com.au

Greenslopes Private Hospital is also a world-renowned tertiary medical facility with an integrated clinical school, the Greenslopes University of Queensland Medical School. 

“Greenslopes Private Hospital is Australia’s largest private teaching hospital and has been training the next generation of healthcare workers since 1970,” she said. 

“While we don’t receive the same government grants as public hospitals to undertake this teaching, we feel it’s an important service we can offer our community and helps prepare us for generations to come.”  

The expanded medical facility offers 694 in-patient beds, 32 speciality units, and a 24-hour Pharmacy and Emergency department.