Queensland will buy the formerly private Mater Hospital in Gladstone.

The state government has announced it will buy the regional facility and add it to the Central Queensland hospital and health service.

Health minister Steven Miles says the deal will allow the government to establish a dedicated COVID-19 ward of 34 beds and an intensive care unit of 12 beds.

The sale has not been finalised and there are no details on the price.

“We are working through a model which will allow private providers to continue to operate from that hospital,” Mr Miles said.