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Tara Hospital has paved the way for improved rural healthcare, one year on since the facility opened its doors.
The state-of-the-art hospital – which replaced the 60-year-old facility located next door – treated its first patients in January 2025.
“The community’s response has been overwhelmingly positive,” Tara Director of Nursing Richard Brown said.
“The new facility provides the infrastructure needed to deliver safe, responsive, and future proofed healthcare to the community of Tara."
Tara Director of Nursing, Richard Brown
“It has created space for community health, allied health and visiting specialist’s teams to come together and optimise healthcare delivery in a state-of-the-art building with brand new equipment.”
Some of the specialist equipment now available at the hospital includes a video laryngoscope, used to improve efficiency and care for critical patients requiring intubation; and a point of care ultrasound, which improves diagnostics and care escalation.
The team is also using an improved patient monitoring and telemetry system that allows nursing staff to monitor vital signs.
A new renal treatment space to support dialysis patients in receiving their treatment closer to home is also being set up.
Mr Brown said patients were overjoyed at the modern feel, with spaces feeling more open and less restrictive than historical hospitals, improving mental well-being and healing.
Darling Downs Health Executive Director Rural Dr Chris Cowling said the facility was a major step forward.
“The investment in new, fully equipped, individual staff accommodations make it easier to attract and retain staff which in turn provides consistency and a known face to community members accessing care,” he said.
“Our new, purpose-built resuscitation rooms also allow for improved and timely care of critical patients. We can be self-sufficient with our in-house commercial laundry and our commercially equipment kitchen.”