Patients at Wollongong Hospital can now access a new and upgraded Medical Ambulatory Care (MAC) Unit at the hospital, as part of a $21.9 million investment from the Minns Labor Government to enhance health services and infrastructure at Wollongong Hospital.
The new MAC Unit, which opened to patients in June, provides care to members of the community following an emergency department stay or hospital admission.
This may include blood and immunoglobulin transfusions as well as complex infusions to assist and manage symptoms of acute medical conditions including various gastrological, renal and neurological conditions such as Multiple Sclerosis, Chronic Kidney Disease and Irritable Bowel Syndrome.
The MAC Unit has been relocated to Level 8 in Block C, enabling the Transit Lounge to be expanded into the former location on the Ground Floor (Hospital Street).
The Transit Lounge provides a safe area where medically stable patients can wait comfortably before being discharged to their place of residence, transferred to another facility, or are waiting for an inpatient bed to become available. Transit lounges help to free up acute care beds while ensuring patients receive all the necessary care and support they require.
The expanded Transit Lounge will enable our staff to better support increased demand in services by improving the flow of patients and providing more timely access to beds.
In addition to these works, a new MRI and CT scanner and supporting infrastructure will also be delivered at the Wollongong Hospital and is expected to be completed in 2026.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Health Ryan Park:
"The Minns Labor Government is delivering for the people of the Illawarra and surrounding areas with new and improved health services and facilities, supporting essential care to help patients avoid unnecessary waiting times.
"This new MAC Unit will provide a wide range of services for patient treatments such as infusions, blood transfusions, consultations, and diagnostic tests.
"This is one of several upgrades at Wollongong Hospital to help our region's busiest hospital continue to provide care for the community, now and into the future."
Quotes attributable to Member for Wollongong Paul Scully:
"The completion of the new MAC Unit has enhanced patient care and enabled the expansion of the busy Transit Lounge so we can get people back to their homes and families sooner.
"The Minns Labor Government continues to invest in Wollongong Hospital. These upgrades are in addition to a new CT scanner and MRI, roll out of safe staffing levels for the ED and a commitment of $220 million in the June Budget.
"As the Illawarra's population continues to grow the government will continue to invest in health infrastructure and the Illawarra's health workforce."
