Community & Business
23 October, 2025
New Era for Millmerran Healthcare
The Millmerran community is celebrating a new chapter in local healthcare, with the official opening of the brand-new Millmerran Multipurpose Health Service facility last week.
The new Millmerran facility, built on the existing Commens Road campus, offers a wide range of services including emergency and palliative care, an eight-bed inpatient unit, a five-bed residential aged care space, outreach and clinical services, and a new helipad for rapid emergency transfers.
While the new facility has been providing care since May, last week’s ceremony marked both the completion of the exterior works around the campus, and a proud moment for the community who helped bring the vision to life.
Darling Downs Health (DDH) Service Chief Executive, Annette Scott PSM, said the new facility represents a major step forward for healthcare in Millmerran and surrounding areas.
“This is a special day for Millmerran,” Ms Scott said.
“The community has been behind this project from the very beginning, and it’s wonderful to see their excitement as we officially open the doors to this new facility.”
“Our staff have always delivered outstanding care, and now they can do so in a contemporary, purpose-built space that truly supports every stage of life.
“When I took over in my role, Dr (Peter) Gillies, my predecessor said ‘You won’t be building any hospitals’.
“Well, we’ve built facilities at Tara, Millmerran and have another one at Toowoomba on the way!”
Darling Downs Heath Executive Director Rural, Dr Chris Cowling, said the new facility was designed with the future in mind to meet the growing needs of Millmerran.
“The former hospital served Millmerran well for many years, but it was time for a new chapter,” he said.
“This modern facility ensures locals have access to high-quality care closer to home, now and into the future.”
In keeping with Millmerran’s strong sense of community, the campus surrounds have been thoughtfully designed to create a warm and welcoming atmosphere.
The beloved Hospital Rose Garden, planted in memory of community members, has been carefully relocated to a new home at the front of the campus along Commens Road, where it continues to flourish.
These, together with the aged care gardens built in 2023, provide a peaceful space for residents and their families to relax and connect. in the precinct
Two modern staff accommodation units have also been added on site, offering the hard working health staff with safe, comfortable, and convenient housing just steps away from their workplace.
“Attracting and retaining health professionals in rural areas is always a challenge,” Dr Cowling said.
“Providing modern accommodation is one way we can support our staff and encourage them to build their careers and lives in Millmerran.”
Funded by the Queensland Government through its $1 billion Building Rural and Remote Health Program, the new Millmerran Multipurpose Health Service looks set to continue to be at the heart of the community - delivering modern health care, local jobs, and a place of support for generations to come.
Representing the Health Minister at the event, State MP for the Southern Downs James Lister said the facility was about more than just bricks and mortar.
“This is not just a building, but a living, breathing organism of people who look after people’s health,” he said.
“This is not just about bricks and mortar, although I acknowledge the $28 million that went into this, it’s about the staff and the community here.
Former Millmerran Shire and Toowoomba Region Mayor Paul Antonio said it was a huge milestone for the Millmerran district and surrounding localities.
“The (old) Hospital was doing okay, but this is something special,” he said.
DDH Cultural Capability Coordinator Charlie Waters, who performed the Acknowledgment of Country, said that the new facility would help assist the health Millmerran’s Indigenous community and help Close The Gap.
“In the 2021 Census, 191 in Millmerran identified as Indigenous, 77 of which had long term health conditions and 22 of which were severely disabled,” he said.
