Schematic designs for the $780M expansion of the John Hunter Hospital and John Hunter Children’s Hospital were revealed by Health Minister Brad Hazzard on May 25, with a new seven-storey Acute Services Building to transform health care for the entire region.
The NSW Government’s John Hunter Health and Innovation Precinct project will deliver a broad range of services resulting in a 60 per cent increase in Intensive Care Unit capacity and almost 50 per cent more theatres.
Hazzard visited John Hunter Hospital in late May to unveil the completed plans, and thanked health service staff, clinical experts, community members and local groups for their contribution to the designs.
“This world-class health precinct will not only significantly enhance capacity for clinical care and collaboration between the health, research and education sectors but be a key driver of economic growth in the region,” Hazzard said.
“The cleverly designed Acute Services Building will house cutting-edge technology, enabling John Hunter’s incredible staff to continue to deliver exemplary health care to the greater Newcastle, Hunter New England and northern NSW regions.”
The schematic designs show the upgrades in greater detail, displaying each clinical service area’s internal and external layouts, giving staff, clinicians and stakeholders a better understanding of what the new precinct will look like and how departments will connect.
Putting the patients front and centre, the designs show large windows for more natural light, green spaces and quiet zones, making hospital stays as comfortable as possible.
The new Acute Services Building will include a new Emergency Department, critical care services (adult and paediatric), operating theatres, interventional suites, imaging services, a birthing suite, an inpatient maternity unit, neonatal intensive care and a special care nursery.
Other upgrades include a new entrance canopy, improved drop-off zones, a rooftop helipad, increased car parking capacity, improvements to the internal road network, and a link bridge to connect the new building to the Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI).
The project is part of the NSW Government’s $10.7B investment in health infrastructure to 2024. A third of the funding will go towards regional and rural health facilities.
Redevelopments of the John Hunter Hospital campus join other projects in surrounding regions, including the $470M new Maitland Hospital, $60M Inverell Hospital redevelopment, and the $100M Manning Hospital redevelopment.
The designs have been lodged with the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment and will soon be exhibited on the department’s website for public feedback.
Works will commence next year. A completion date is expected in 2026.
Information source: Media releases, May 25, NSW Government
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