Want a new hospital? Well sell the airport!

Money raised by the Queensland Government's sale of Cairns and Mackay airports and the Port of Brisbane Authority's share of Brisbane Airport will apparently be used to build new hospitals in north Queensland.

Premier Anna Bligh says Mackay, Cairns and Mt Isa all need new hospitals and the revenue from the sale of the airports should cover the cost of the new health facilities.

Some of the funds raised will go towards a projected $450 million expansion and redevelopment of the existing Cairns Base Hospital facilities and a site for a new Cairns hospital.

Premier Anna Bligh says a new Mackay Base Hospital will be built on the existing site, and Mt Isa hospital will be re-developed.

According to Health Minister Stephen Robertson the airport sales are expected to be finalised by the end of the year and the plans for the three major north Queensland hospital projects illustrate the government's determination to improving regional health services.

The Queensland Government has also revealed that Townsville Hospital will remain the central medical hub of north Queensland.