The Minns Labor Government has today confirmed a new rooftop helipad will be constructed as part of the new Shellharbour Hospital project, ensuring Illawarra residents have more timely access to emergency and critical care when the new hospital opens.
To be built as part of the more than $780 million New Shellharbour Hospital and Integrated Services Project, the helipad will facilitate the rapid transfer of patients requiring critical care.
Construction work to deliver the rooftop helipad will start soon, in coordination with other works currently taking place on site.
The project includes:
- an expanded emergency department
- enhanced paediatric services including a new Paediatric Assessment Unit (PAU)
- specialised elective surgery services
- rehabilitation and aged care services
- acute medical services
- expanded mental health services
- a new drug and alcohol unit
- maternity services including midwifery-led clinics, doctor-led clinics, midwifery group practice (MGP) clinics and antenatal and postnatal services
- renal dialysis
- outpatients care services
- car parking and improved public transport links.
Construction of the new building is progressing, with concrete pours well underway. In the coming months, activity will continue to ramp up on site as key structural elements of the hospital take shape.
The new Shellharbour Hospital and Integrated Services project is jointly funded by the NSW and Commonwealth Governments and will deliver more networked health services. It has already seen upgrades delivered at Wollongong and Bulli Hospitals, and a new community health centre is also currently being built in Warrawong as part of the project.
Construction of the new Shellharbour Hospital, including the new rooftop helipad, is expected to be completed in 2027.
The Minns Labor Government's commitment to rebuild essential services like hospitals which meet community needs is in direct contrast to the former Liberal National Government who:
- Planned to privatise Shellharbour Hospital.
- Planned to sack over 1,000 nurses - 61 of whom worked to care for South Coast communities.
- Introduced an unfair wages cap, suppressing the wages of frontline workers for 12 years.
Since being elected the Minns Labor Government has passed legislation to ban any future privatisation of public hospitals, permanently funded the over 1,000 essential nurses and abolished the wages cap.
To find out more about the New Shellharbour Hospital and Integrated Services Project visit: New Shellharbour Hospital and Integrated Services
Quotes attributable to Minister for Regional Health Ryan Park:
"We are committed to building essential health services that drive better outcomes for patients, when they need it most.
"Construction of this helipad means the community will benefit from improved emergency responses when the new hospital opens, ensuring even faster access to critical care.
"The new Shellharbour Hospital will be a game-changer for the Illawarra and a helipad will help to support the growing healthcare needs of the entire region."
Quotes attributable to Member for Shellharbour Anna Watson:
"I welcome the news that the helipad will be delivered as part of the new Shellharbour Hospital, which will help support the emergency care needs of local residents, now and into the future.
"It is exciting to seeing construction progressing so rapidly on site, as the structure of the new hospital comes to life."
Attributable to Labor candidate for Kiama, Katelin McInerney:
"We still have a lot of work to do, but the Minns Labor Government is committed to rebuilding the essential health services our community needs and relies on.
"The construction of a helipad at Shellharbour Hospital will help support our dedicated health staff as they continue to deliver high quality care for our community."
