[1] The Second Townsville General Hospital was designed by Donoghue and Fulton between 1935 and 1939 but construction was delayed due to the outbreak of World War II.

[3] The new hospital was to be the largest facility of its type in Australia outside a capital city and had been built at a cost of approximately £500,000 for building and equipment.

Dr Kiernan Dorney was the medical superintendent and the hospital claimed to have the largest staff of specialists outside Brisbane.

Ned Hanlon, who was minister for Health and Home Affairs from 1935 until 1944 and premier from 1946 until 1952, was responsible for many of the projects undertaken at this time.

Developments in medical theory meant that ventilation and isolation were no longer considered as important to the health of the patient.

The design for the Second Townsville General Hospital was probably the first in Queensland to combine highrise planning principles with a progressive modern image.

[1] Charles Fulton is recognised as a key practitioner to have designed in the modern style in Queensland before the Second World War.

[1] Eventually the Second Townsville General Hospital could not expand any further due to its urban location and was regularly reaching absolute capacity.

The third and current Townsville Hospital at Douglas began construction in 1998 and opened in 2001, co-located with James Cook University.

[4] However the heritage-listed buildings of the second hospital, with their landmark white Art Deco appearance, enviable location, and water views, have been retained and were turned into exclusive apartments.

[5] The Second Townsville General Hospital is a six-storied concrete and brick building with a flat roof concealed behind parapet walls.

The building has a narrow plan with the long north eastern elevation forming the dominant front facade.

At the edge of the balconies, underneath the balustrades, are deep horizontal bands or valances which provide sunshading for the windows below.

The composition of the building contrasts horizontal with vertical elements, and sheer surfaces with carefully controlled openings and deep shadowed recesses.

[1] The place has a special association with the life or work of a particular person, group or organisation of importance in Queensland's history.