Construction has started on an $80 million health precinct adjacent Burnside Hospital on Kensington Rd.
A key feature of the new precinct will be a linear accelerator for radiation treatment for cancer patients, and an increase in the hospital's chemotherapy treatment capacity of 33 per cent.
There will also be two additional operating theatres expected to support about 3500 extra day surgery procedures each year once the facility is fully operational. The new theatres will complement the hospital's existing five operating rooms.
The precinct will also house expanded diagnostic imaging and pathology services, while a number of medical specialists currently based on the hospital campus will relocate to larger consulting suites within the building. A fertility service is also planned as part of the development.
Burnside Hospital chief executive Rebecca Badcock said the project represented a significant investment in the hospital's future.
"As a proud not-for-profit hospital, this is about working in partnership to invest in our facilities and our people to ensure we can stay strong and provide the healthcare future our community needs and deserves," Ms Badcock said.
"Now the work really starts so that we can deliver more comprehensive cancer services, more day surgery capacity and more medical services to our community."
The precinct will be linked to the hospital by a footbridge over Moore St and will have three levels of underground parking for more than 150 cars.
More than 250 jobs are expected to be supported during construction, with over 70 ongoing positions to be created once the precinct is operational.
The first patients are expected to be treated at the new facility in 2028.
