Queensland Children's Hospital to be named in honour of Lady Phyllis Cilento

The new Queensland Children's Hospital will be named in honour of Lady Phyllis Cilento. The CourierPhoto Archive. Source: News Limited

Premier Campbell Newman yesterday said the hospital represented a "big change" for the state's health system and it was fitting it was named after a Queenslander who was such a beacon for change throughout her career.

"(The hospital) is actually much more than just concrete, glass and steel,'' he said.

"It actually represents our commitment as a society to support the hopes and dreams of the clinicians in their determination to serve young Queenslanders.''

Lady Phyllis Cilento is renowned for her dedication to the state's health system.

Lady Cilento, whose daughter was married for a decade to former James Bond actor Sean Connery, was the first Queenslander of the Year in 1981.

Her trailblazing and unorthodox efforts working with women and children in Brisbane included having fathers present for births, which upset many in the medical fraternity.

She also was a prolific writer and penned medical articles for The Courier-Mail under the names "Mother M.D." and "Medical Mother".

The Lady Cilento Children's Hospital will open in November next year.