For Vernon Armstrong, art is more than paint on a canvas – it’s a form of therapy, storytelling and cultural preservation. As both a registered nurse and an artist, Vernon is making a profound impact at the Gold Coast’s new Secure Mental Health Rehabilitation Unit (SMHRU), where his artwork will serve as both a visual and emotional anchor for patients in recovery.

Funded by the Queensland Government, the $122.7 million 40-bed Gold Coast Secure Mental Health Rehabilitation Unit (SMHRU) is ready to welcome its first patients. Having successfully reached practical completion on 31 January 2025, the purpose-built SMHRU will open its first 20 beds in the “Banksia” ward (B1) from this month.  

Construction of the new Coomera Hospital is progressing steadily, with major structural milestones achieved in recent months.

The new Coomera Hospital is a state-of-the-art health care facility designed to cater to the growing population of the northern Gold Coast corridor, reducing pressure on Gold Coast University Hospital and Robina Hospital.

As a member of the Project User Group (PUG) and a clinical advisor, Nurse Unit Manager of the Central Sterilising Department (CSD) Kylie Coad is helping to ensure every design detail for the new Coomera Hospital is thoughtfully crafted with the needs of both staff and patients in mind.