As Maroochy Private Hospital prepares to open its doors in 2026, a new chapter in health innovation is about to unfold in the heart of Maroochydore City Centre.
The hospital will be home to a world-class clinical trials facility, created through a landmark partnership between Maroochy Private Hospital and the University of the Sunshine Coast (UniSC).
The collaboration will deliver Australia’s largest clinical trial facility outside the major metropolitan centres, an important healthcare addition for the Sunshine Coast region and a powerful example of locally grown innovation.
A hub for world-class care, research and education
Maroochy Private Hospital will be a one-stop shop for patient care. Anchored by the University of the Sunshine Coast and global orthopaedics leader Medacta, the $100 million facility will serve as a hub for medical excellence, providing access to cutting-edge treatment, medical specialists and health solutions all under one roof.
This collaborative approach ensures the latest medical advances are available close to home, and provides the local community with opportunities to participate in medical research that could shape the future of healthcare.
Situated in the Maroochydore City Centre, the hospital brings to life the precinct’s vision for a connected, sustainable, and innovation-led hub at the heart of the Sunshine Coast..
At the forefront of future healthcare delivery
UniSC Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation) Professor Ross Young said the new clinical trial facility will focus on orthopaedic and medical device research, surgical training, and rehabilitation, high growth areas which have significant community need.
“We will now be able to deliver clinical trials in medical devices and surgical interventions, particularly in orthopaedics, pain management, and neurological conditions, giving the community access to cutting-edge treatments and research,” Professor Young explains.
“Injury doesn’t go away, and we need to be developing really good approaches with new technology, surgical and rehabilitations innovations to get people functioning and back to a high quality of life,.”
Supported by the Queensland Government’s Industry Partnership Program, the purpose-built facility will see students and researchers work alongside industry experts and clinicians, gaining hands-on experience at the forefront of modern healthcare.
Building a local workforce
The new clinical trials facility will create 65 local jobs, growing UniSC Clinical Trials’ workforce to more than 160 professionals.
Once fully operational, Maroochy Private Hospital will inject more than 400 local jobs, supporting the region’s economic growth and providing new career pathways for locals.
Professor Young emphasised the facility’s role in helping to address the region’s growing health workforce needs.
“Our ambitions have been made public to develop a medical school. As the university positions ourselves for that future, we’re deeply interested in medical leadership, and that includes through research and development.”
“The new hub is a vital step towards filling that gap. Our School of Health now represents over 50 per cent of our students, and it’s a major economic contributor to our region, so we see this as a really exciting opportunity for us to lift our game as an educational institution as well,” he added.
Driving economic value through advanced health outcomes
The new clinical trial facility is set to deliver far-reaching economic and social benefits for the Sunshine Coast, not only through job creation but by building a knowledge-based economy around innovation, research, and technology.
Professor Young said the partnership between UniSC, Medacta, and Maroochy Private Hospital represents a new model for regional growth.
“We can’t continue to deliver healthcare the way we have in the past. We’ve got to embrace fresh ways and learn from other industries to see how we can improve health efficiencies,” he explained.
Medacta, a co-tenant in the hospital, will enable new surgical techniques and tools. “It’s really going to enable new surgical techniques and tools to be used. And we want to be part of the mix of that, because we can see it’s a really exciting sector with enormous growth potential,” Professor Young said.
Putting Sunshine Coast on the global stage
The clinical trials facility also positions the Sunshine Coast as a competitive destination for international clinical research.
“One of the reasons we’ve embraced clinical trials is because Australia has a unique competitive advantage. We’ve got a really well-articulated system of approval that’s robust and sets high standards, but isn’t too burdened administratively. We’re a very attractive place for multinational companies to look at to help develop new advances in healthcare,” Professor Young said.
“So increasingly this work that we do involves international companies, and I think that’s really important for our economy, for us as a nation, and for us as a region.”
Digital Health, innovation and holistic care
Digital technology and preventative strategies will be central to improving patient outcomes and healthcare efficiency. Professor Young explained, “At a new hospital, we can integrate digital systems for data collection and feedback loops, to enhance efficiencies. This also includes connecting care beyond the hospital, linking hospital and primary care, and tracking recovery at home.”
The hospital is committed not only to treating illness or injury but also to preventing it. “Prevention is a key pillar. We want to reduce orthopaedic injuries before they happen,” Professor Young said.
He added that the facility will focus on target groups and the bigger picture: “While clinical trials treat established problems, we also need to understand the drivers of disease and injury. If we address these early, we save the economic burden in the future.”
The future is looking bright
Maroochy Private Hospital is a key component of Maroochydore’s emergence as a regional health and innovation hub.
“I think it’s a very important asset for any maturing city. Looking at what we need to put in place so that we can provide comprehensive services within the Sunshine Coast, so that people don’t need to travel elsewhere to get the care or the services that they need,” Professor Young said.
Beyond its healthcare impact, the hospital will contribute to a vibrant city centre where health, learning and community come together, supporting Maroochydore’s transformation into a place to live, learn, and innovate.
With the Olympics on the horizon and Maroochydore emerging as the region’s economic hub, the timing could not be better.
With innovation at its heart, Maroochydore is ready for what’s next.