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St Andrew’s War Memorial Hospital in Brisbane is celebrating a significant milestone for its Day Surgery Centre, marking one year since welcoming its first patients in May 2025.
Over the past 12 months, the Centre has cared for more than 3,000 patients and continues to grow to meet the evolving healthcare needs of the community.
Purpose-built to meet growing demand for short-stay surgical procedures, the Centre provides a dedicated patient experience alongside the main hospital, while remaining closely connected to the comprehensive and complex care St Andrew’s is known for.
St Andrew’s Director of Dental and Maxillofacial Surgery, Dr Daniel Ford, a specialist in paediatric dentistry, was among the first clinicians to begin operating at the Centre in 2025.
“The vision for the Day Surgery Centre was brave, and it took perseverance in the execution. I think the first year of the Centre’s operation, and the planning and building phase prior to that, is a credit to those involved and a tribute to the hospital’s pioneers,” Dr Ford said.
“It has taken an amazing team to create a culture of excellence and care, and to bring to life a facility that has an energy and passion for reaching the high standards set across the entire St Andrew’s campus,” he said.
An important feature of the Day Surgery Centre is the care provided for children, and the support extended to their parents and carers.
“St Andrew’s has always included paediatric care as part of how it acts out its mission. More admirably, St Andrew’s has supported the types of paediatric care that are not trendy or are difficult to provide, and in doing so has focused on need,” Dr Ford said.
“A calm child just prior to their operation has many psychological and clinical benefits. The Centre promotes a more homely feel in the admission and waiting areas, and there are private spaces for children to play and for families to gather.
“The absence of features that could over-stimulate or intimidate can be a game-changer for our paediatric patients.
“And the beauty of the design is how quickly and seamlessly the nursing team can reunite a parent with their child after the operation, offering great reassurance and comfort for both,” he said.
The true impact of these features is often seen in the experiences of children and families, especially those who may feel overwhelmed and vulnerable in unfamiliar healthcare settings.
“I help care for neurodivergent children including little ones on the autism spectrum. Being in a hospital setting can be an overwhelming challenge for these children and their families. The St Andrew’s Day Surgery Centre changes this,” Dr Ford shared.
“One of my neurodivergent patients is very reliant on his companion dog. The Centre’s design and the attitude of the team meant that this little boy was able to be accompanied by his companion dog, and they were quickly reunited after his operation.
“It was a life-changing event for the family. Not only did they have a positive experience and surgical outcome, but they also learnt to trust a healthcare facility that worked as a partner in the care of their child,” he said.
St Andrew’s General Manager, Linda Jorgensen, said stories like this highlight the meaningful difference the Centre is making for patients every day.
“In just one year, the St Andrew’s Day Surgery Centre team have successfully opened a brand-new service and provided safe, high-quality care for thousands of adults and children who trust us with their healthcare,” Linda said.
“The positive feedback received from these patients is a testament to every one of our specialists, staff and volunteers. Every positive experience reflects their dedication and the benefits of the short-stay service.
“This milestone is also timely as we consider how the service can continue to evolve, including transitioning toward a broader short-stay model to align with demand and contemporary models of care.
“We are incredibly proud of everything that has been achieved in the first year, and we look forward to the team’s continued success as the service grows and evolves in the future.
“Congratulations and a very happy first birthday to you all!”
