The second of two tower cranes have now arrived at the construction site of Ryde Hospital, signifying an important milestone in the Minns Labor Government's delivery of the $526.8 million Redevelopment.
In celebration of the event, the cranes will officially be known as 'ICU Up There' and 'Blue Gum Giant' after being creatively named by two local children.
The 'Name the Cranes' competition received almost 250 creative entries from local children and children of hospital staff, providing the community's youngest residents with the chance to engage in the hospital's construction process.
Standing at more than 60 metres tall, the first tower crane is a prominent feature of the local landscape. The second tower crane is set to be installed this week.
These two giants will support construction of the new 7-storey Acute Services Building, which will house a new and expanded emergency department, intensive care unit, surgical and outpatient services.
With a projection of more than 180,000 people expected to call the Ryde area home by 2041, the Minns Labor Government is ensuring this new state-of-the-art facility meets the health needs of the growing community.
The $526.8 million redevelopment will deliver new and enhanced health services for Ryde and surrounding suburbs and will be guided extensively by community and staff consultation.
Nine-year-old Layla Bahry from nearby St Therese's Catholic Primary School in Denistone was the first winner with the name 'ICU Up There', a nod to the new and expanded Intensive Care Unit that will be delivered as part of the redevelopment.
The second winner was four-year-old Sloane Hanrahan, who is the daughter of a Northern Sydney Local Health District staff member from Ryde Hospital, with the name 'Blue Gum Giant', a tribute to the Ryde Blue Gum High Forest that forms part of the hospital grounds.
The new hospital has been carefully designed to maximise views of the Ryde Blue Gum High Forest from inpatient rooms, with its proximity playing a vital role in promoting recovery and enhancing the experience for patients, visitors and staff.
The students and their families were today joined by Federal Member for Bennelong Jerome Laxale, Northern Sydney Local Health District's Chief Executive Adjunct Professor Anthony Schembri AM and the redevelopment's project team, for a special presentation and tour of the site, which included a tower crane lifting display.
The Ryde Hospital Redevelopment project will deliver new and expanded health services including:
- A new and larger emergency department, medical imaging department, intensive care unit, operating theatres and procedure rooms, and surgical/endoscopy day only spaces
- A new purpose-built ambulatory care centre and paediatric short stay unit
- More adult overnight inpatient beds
- The hospital's first MRI Machine
- Associated clinical and non-clinical support services including pharmacy, pathology, food, environmental, linen and supply services
- Contemporary education, training and research to strengthen tertiary partnerships
- Improved accessibility to the campus, including internal roads, urban spaces, landscaping and wayfinding, and engineering and information and communications technology service infrastructure.
In a major boost for the local community, Ryde Hospital's first MRI machine will also be delivered as part of the redevelopment, providing enhanced access to advanced medical imaging services for patients closer to home.
Main works construction is well underway, with piling and earthworks progressing, to establish the foundations for the new hospital building. The first concrete pour is set to start soon, with the footprint of the Acute Services Building expected to take shape by the middle of next year.
Construction of the Acute Services Building is expected to be completed in 2027, with the new main entry and landscaping to be completed in 2028.
To learn more, visit the Ryde Hospital Redevelopment website.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Health Ryan Park:
"It's fantastic to see so many local children embrace the opportunity to help name our new cranes, as we progress construction of the new $526.8 million Ryde Hospital. Congratulations to Layla and Sloane and thank you to all students who submitted a creative entry.
"Once the redevelopment is complete, Ryde Hospital will have its first MRI, giving patients access to state-of-the-art scans locally and supporting faster, more targeted diagnostics and treatment for the growing community without the need to travel to other facilities.
"This major redevelopment is part of the Minns Labor Government greater investment in more hospitals, staff and beds, ensuring the health needs of our rapidly growing communities are addressed into the future."
Quotes attributable to Federal Member for Bennelong, Jerome Laxale:
"It's great to see the Ryde Hospital redevelopment progressing, a project that will transform healthcare for Ryde and surrounding communities by delivering better health outcomes and supporting staff to provide high-quality care now and into the future."
Quotes attributable to Ryde Councillor Lyndal Howison:
"The winning names will be proudly displayed on the cranes, connecting the community to the progress of this project. A big thank you to everyone who entered the Name the Crane competition, it has been a fun way to involve local kids in this major milestone at our local hospital redevelopment."
