The Queensland government will spend $70 million to build a new hospital in the state's west.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk says a new hospital is needed in Roma, west of Brisbane, because the current one, opened in 1940, is out of date.
"Honestly, from having a look at the state of this hospital I am determined there will be a brand new hospital on this site," Ms Palaszczuk said in Roma on Thursday.
Ms Palaszczuk said the new hospital will increase capacity from 3000 to 3500 patients a year and create 250 jobs during its construction.
Opposition Leader Lawrence Springborg agreed a hospital was needed, insisting it was a priority of the former Liberal National Party government in which he served as health minister.
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"Roma was seriously neglected by the previous Bligh government," he said.
"It just had to be rebuilt because one side of the hospital was falling off ... so this is a continuation of what the LNP planned in government."
Ms Palaszczuk said the new hospital was part of the government's $180 million enhancing regional hospitals program.
The premier travelled to Roma on Thursday after spending the day in Townsville promising a fast-tracked capital works program for the state's north following Clive Palmer-owned Queensland Nickel's decision to sack 237 workers.
