Communities across the greater Hunter region are one step closer to receiving expanded world-class health care, with the façade of the new acute services building at John Hunter Health and Innovation Precinct now revealed.
The $835 million John Hunter Health and Innovation Precinct will increase the overall capacity of the redeveloped Hospital to continue to provide essential healthcare services to Newcastle, the greater Hunter region and northern NSW communities.
The new acute services building will deliver:
- A new emergency department to meet a projected future demand of more than 95,000 presentations each year
- 22 operating theatres and nine interventional suites to respond to significantly increasing demand for surgical services
- birthing suites, inpatient maternity, neonatal ICU, and special care units
- Rooftop helipad
- more than 900 additional car parking spaces on the precinct for patients, staff, and visitors.
The expanded John Hunter Hospital will deliver a 60 per cent increase in intensive care unit (ICU) capacity and almost 50 per cent more theatres.
The Minns Labor Government is committed to delivering the health infrastructure growing communities need.
This is why our last budget delivered $12.4 billion to build and upgrade health infrastructure over the next four years, including $3.5 billion to upgrade regional hospitals.
With the building façade for John Hunter Hospital now complete, work is progressing on the interior fit-out and landscaping.
The two cranes 'Lifty' and 'Lofty' that were named by the community and have been a prominent feature of the Newcastle skyline for almost two years have also departed the site.
The colours of the building's façade have been inspired by the nearby bushland, combining shades of green and cream, to create a design that reflects the surrounding environment.
The new acute services building features four link bridges, connecting with the existing hospital, as well as the Hunter Medical Research Institute, to create a direct link between research and clinical care.
Two large, elevated gardens that span more than 2,600 square metres, which is around half the size of a soccer field sits between both buildings offering welcoming outdoor spaces for staff, patients and visitors.
As construction progresses, new artist impressions are providing a look inside the new building, highlighting the modern one and two-bed inpatient rooms, as well as the new elevated gardens.
Construction of the new building is expected to be completed in 2026, followed by an operational commissioning period to ensure the new building and staff are ready to welcome patients.
For more information about the project, visit: http://nsw.gov.au/john-hunter-redevelopment
Quotes attributable to Minister for Regional Health Ryan Park:
"More hospitals and more beds mean more people can access the care they need, when they need it, and closer to home.
"The enhanced services at John Hunter Hospital will ensure the community has access to world class care now and into the future.
"The unveiling of the façade for this new state-of-the-art facility means communities across the Hunter region are one step closer to benefiting from this exciting development."
Quotes attributable to Minister for the Hunter Yasmin Catley
"When we came into Government, we promised we wouldn't waste time getting essential services to the people of the Hunter and the $835 million John Hunter Health and Innovation Precinct was one of our boldest commitments.
"Seeing the facade today is proof we are delivering on what we promised. This project is rising out of the ground and it's on track to be completed next year.
"Healthcare isn't something you can kick down the road. The Hunter needs world-class care and it needs it now - not in five or ten years' time. This project shows we're cutting through and getting on with the job, delivering the infrastructure this region deserves.
"The Hunter is the economic powerhouse of the state, and with investments like this, it's also one of the very best places to build a life - something I'm proud our Labor Government is delivering for the people of the Hunter."
Quotes attributable to Member for Wallsend Sonia Hornery
"This project is a long time coming, it's something I've been lobbying for over many years and seeing the façade now gives a tangible sense of the project making strong progress.
"The John Hunter Hospital is a major hospital in my electorate and in our region and this expansion will mean more services, more patients being seen and most importantly, better health outcomes for our communities."
