Communities across the Shoalhaven region are one step closer to a new, modern and purpose-built hospital, with construction of the centrepiece building for the $440 million Shoalhaven Memorial Hospital now substantially complete.
The substantial completion of the new seven storey Acute Services Building marks a significant milestone, bringing the region closer to a modern health facility that will support the healthcare needs of the Shoalhaven community for generations to come.
The Acute Services Building will house a range of new and expanded services and facilities, becoming a health hub for the region and supporting the growing local population.
With the new building undergoing final testing, construction is now focused on finishing the remaining external works of the redevelopment, including the link bridge connection to the existing hospital building, main entry, as well as the installation of artwork and landscaping.
The new building is expected to open to patients later in 2026, following the completion of operational commissioning activities, led by Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District.
The operational commissioning phase is integral to ensure the building is safe and ready for patients, staff and visitors. It includes equipment testing, delivery of furniture and fixtures, training teams, performing clinical scenarios, and checking emergency systems.
Once operational, the new Shoalhaven Memorial Hospital will provide the majority of emergency, critical care, acute, sub-acute and non-admitted health services locally, reducing the need to transfer patients to Wollongong and Sydney.
The new acute services building will directly connect to the existing hospital via a new linkway, and includes:
- a new emergency department and emergency short-stay unit
- new intensive care unit
- medical wards
- a dedicated acute mental health unit
- double the number of operating theatres, endoscopy and procedure rooms
- a dedicated cardiology inpatient unit, coronary care unit and cardiac catheterisation laboratory
- new medical imaging unit, including MRI and CT machines
- a new rooftop helipad.
Once services move into the new Acute Services Building, the project focus will turn to the refurbishment of the existing hospital, with works expected to be complete in 2027.
The redevelopment has provided a significant boost to the local economy during construction, with close to 70 per cent of the workforce based locally. It is estimated that the project has supported around 800 direct jobs, and hundreds of indirect jobs over the life of the project.
Consultation with staff, patients and the community has been a key part of planning and design for the redevelopment, ensuring the new hospital meets the unique health needs of the Shoalhaven region.
Staff, patients, and the community will be kept informed, with an opening date for the new building to be announced shortly.
Labor is making the long-term investments into recruiting more staff and building more hospitals to better meet the growing health needs of our community and relieve pressure on our health system.
Quote attributable to Minister for Health Ryan Park:
"We are delivering more hospitals, more beds, and more health staff for the growing communities in the Illawarra.
"This is an important milestone for the hospital. We can't wait to see the new building open its doors to patients later this year.
"The Shoalhaven Hospital Redevelopment is part of more than $1 billion in health infrastructure investment across the Illawarra Shoalhaven region, including Shellharbour, Wollongong and Milton Ulladulla."
Quote attributable to Member for South Coast Liza Butler:
"This is a proud and significant milestone for the Shoalhaven community, bringing us closer to the opening of the modern hospital our growing region needs and deserves.
"The new Acute Services Building will transform healthcare on the South Coast, delivering expanded emergency, intensive care, surgical, cardiac, mental health, and medical imaging services closer to home. Importantly, it will mean fewer patients and families having to travel to Wollongong or Sydney for essential care.
"I thank the hospital staff, patients, and community members whose experience and input have helped shape this redevelopment, as well as the hundreds of local workers who have contributed to its construction.
"This $440 million investment is about ensuring our community has access to high-quality healthcare now and for generations to come, and I look forward to welcoming patients, staff, and visitors into the new building later this year."
Quotes attributable to Member for Kiama Katelin McInerney:
"This once in a generation investment in the Shoalhaven will mean that residents in the Kiam Electorate will have a better access to healthcare closer to home.
"I'm looking forward to seeing our expanded emergency department and intensive care unit open this year to meet the demands of our growing community.
"More mental health places, increased surgical and allied health capacity will result less time travelling for local patients.
"Importantly we are also investing the extra staff and investing $21 million in building and securing housing for our growing hospital workforce, and paying them what they are worth so we can attract and keep them in our regional hospitals."
