Springfield’s new Mater hospital will be equipped with a state-of-the-art robotic pharmacy system that will deliver around 100,000 prescriptions a year to patients and medical staff within minutes.

The $450,000 investment is being made possible by Mater Foundation – the charity that funds new equipment, services and research across the state’s Mater hospitals.

And on June 28 Springfield residents will have the opportunity to give back to their local hospital on Mater Giving Day – when all donations to Mater Foundation will be tripled by match donors.

Mater Private Hospital Springfield General Manager Suzanne Hawksley said community fund-raising and support played a vital role in supporting the work of Mater, the largest not-for-profit health provider in Queensland.

“We’re so grateful that Springfield is set to benefit from the generosity of Mater’s many wonderful donors,” Ms Hawksley said.

"The Mater Foundation’s investment in our hospital will make a huge difference to our pharmacy team and our patients.

“When the Stage 2 expansion is complete Mater Pharmacy expects to dispense around 100,000 prescriptions a year – and this technology will ensure we get the right medicine to the right patient in a fraction of the time.”

The BD ROWA Vmax-160 pharmacy robotic and inventory dispensing system automatically picks and directs dispensed medicines to each pharmacist’s workstation via chutes and conveyor belts, as opposed to the pharmacist walking to the shelves to identify and collect the medicines.

The system will greatly improve stock control within the pharmacy and reduce the amount of storage space required.

Mater Foundation Chief Executive Andrew Thomas said the robot’s purchase was a great example of community fund-raising leading to improved patient care at Mater.

“Mater Giving Day – Wednesday 28 June – is the day the community can give to make good things happen,” Mr Thomas said.

“This extraordinary fundraiser unites Mater staff, patients, loved ones and supporters with gratitude to deliver life-saving medical equipment, research, education and healthcare throughout Queensland. 

“This year our generous Matched Givers have pledged to triple every single dollar raised by the community in Springfield and across Queensland – so the impact of community fundraising will make a truly incredible difference to Mater patients.” 

The Stage 2 expansion of Mater Private Hospital Springfield, on Health Care Drive, will deliver 174 public beds – meeting the community’s health needs for decades to come.

The new hospital will deliver private and public services and will include an emergency department, intensive care unit and Mater’s renowned maternity services – ensuring local women can give birth in their own community.

Early construction works on Stage 2 began earlier this year and construction work is scheduled for completion by the end of 2025.

Donations can be made online at www.mater.org.au/givingday up until June 28.

Pictured: Mater Private Hospital Springfield Pharmacy Manager Nirmal Panneerselvam