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From working as an electrician to managing complex hospital infrastructure projects, Patrick Martin has built a career around understanding how things work.
As Gold Coast Hospital and Health Service's Senior Infrastructure Project Manager (Asset Management Services, Capital and Minor Works), Patrick is helping deliver the Generator Expansion Project at Gold Coast University Hospital (GCUH), having joined the health service in late 2022.
This Critical Infrastructure Security Month, we're going behind the build with Patrick to explore the people and planning that help keep hospital services running.
Hospitals with intensive care units are defined as critical infrastructure under the Security of Critical Infrastructure Act 2018 (SOCI). Essential services like those provided at GCUH and Robina rely on resilient infrastructure, including reliable power and backup systems, to support patient care during disruptions. The Generator Expansion is an example of how we are meeting our national requirements.
How did you find your way into healthcare infrastructure?
I started my career as an electrician, spending over 15 years working predominantly in commercial construction, with some maintenance along the way. Over time, I naturally progressed into project management. Moving off the tools wasn’t such a bad thing for the body, either.
An opportunity came up to join Gold Coast Hospital and Health Service as a Project Manager in 2022 and I jumped at it. My electrical background has been a great fit and I’ve naturally gravitated towards electrically focused infrastructure projects.
I really enjoy the complexity and variety of infrastructure that comes with working in a hospital environment. There aren’t many places where you get exposure to such a wide range of complex systems, which keeps things interesting.
What does a typical day look like for you?
There’s probably no such thing as a typical day. A lot of my role involves coordinating the builder, consultants and hospital teams, resolving issues and managing competing priorities, all while ensuring construction doesn’t impact hospital operations.
What is the Generator Expansion Project and why is it important?
We’re installing two additional emergency generators, increasing the hospital’s existing system from four to six.
It’s about increasing backup power capacity and providing additional backup if a generator is unavailable, supporting recent and future hospital growth and helping critical services continue operating during a power outage.
The project is one example of how Gold Coast Hospital and Health Service is strengthening infrastructure resilience to help maintain essential healthcare services during disruptions.
What has been one of the biggest challenges?
One of the bigger challenges has been getting major equipment into an existing operating hospital and Central Energy Plant. Each generator weighs over 20 tonnes, requiring significant planning around deliveries, crane lifts, access and safety.
Moving everything into place takes a lot of coordination between the builder, consultants and hospital teams, while making sure the hospital can keep operating safely.
What needs to happen before the new generators become operational?
Completing construction is only part of the project. There’s still extensive testing, commissioning and integration with the existing electrical infrastructure, along with upgrades being delivered by Energex. We need to carefully manage this while maintaining the hospital’s existing backup power capability.
What do you find most rewarding about your job?
Seeing years of planning turn into something real.
I’ve been working on this project for a long time, from the design phase through to construction. One of the most rewarding moments has been seeing the generators, which were purchased a long time ago, arrive on site and be loaded into position.
After so much planning and work, finally seeing everything in place makes me very proud. I’m looking forward to seeing the project through to completion.
The Generator Expansion Project has been complex, with plenty of challenges occurring behind the scenes. But knowing we're delivering infrastructure that will support the hospital’s staff and patients for years to come is very fulfilling.
How do you switch off outside work?
I enjoy spending quality time with my family and try to get outdoors as much as possible.
For the past three years, I have been busy coaching my son's junior AFL team, which has been a great way to stay active and get involved with my local community.
My family and I also love to explore new places, so we try to go camping and fishing with the kids as often as we can. It's a great way to switch off from work, spend some time together and recharge for a new week.
Learn more this Critical Infrastructure Security Month
Critical infrastructure is more than buildings. It includes the people, systems, equipment and essential utilities that keep healthcare services running.
Across Gold Coast Hospital and Health Service, every staff member contributes to resilience, whether through clinical care, infrastructure maintenance, emergency preparedness or supporting day-to-day operations.
This November, take the opportunity to familiarise yourself with local emergency procedures and business continuity arrangements, and learn how your role supports the continuity of patient care during disruptions.
The Critical Infrastructure Security Centre is hosting public town halls covering emerging risks, security and preparedness.
