Construction is complete on the new Warrawong Community Health Centre, which will provide a broad range of community-based healthcare services in a contemporary and welcoming facility for residents across the Illawarra.
The purpose-built facility on the former Port Kembla Hospital site will bring together a range of health services in one modern and accessible location, helping people access care closer to home.
The facility has been designed to be welcoming and light filled to support health and wellbeing, and features landscaped areas, outdoor therapy space for children, and accessible parking near the entrance.
Integrated artworks by local artists and students, alongside colourful wayfind ing, celebrate local stories, culture and Connection to Country while creating an inclusive and easy-to-navigate environment for patients, families and visitors.
Services at the new Warrawong Community Health Centre will include:
- Child and family health services such as audiology, antenatal care and allied health support
- Binji and Boori (Aboriginal Maternal Infant Child Health Service) providing child health and development checks, health assessments, mental health and wellbeing support, hearing checks, contraception advice, pregnancy and postnatal care, home visits, midwifery services, breastfeeding support, advocacy and referrals to other services
- Community nursing and nurse-led clinics to provide asthma, continence, stoma and wound care
- Community mental health services
- Sexual health services including testing and treatment for sexually transmissible infections (STIs), HIV specialist care, Hepatitis B and C management, sexual health counselling, clinical trials and free vaccinations for priority populations
- Drug and alcohol services including the Needle and Syringe Program (First Step Program) and drug and alcohol counselling services
- Equipment loan pool services providing aids and equipment to support rehabilitation and independent living at home, including wheelchairs, walking frames and hoists.
The project is now progressing through final fit out, testing, commissioning and operational readiness activities ahead of the new facility opening to patients, staff and the community in the coming weeks.
The Warrawong Community Health Centre is being delivered as part of the $828.9 million New Shellharbour Hospital and Integrated Services Project. For more information about the project, visit: www.nsw.gov.au/new-shellharbour-hospital
Quotes attributable to Minister for Health Ryan Park:
"Construction completion of the new Warrawong Community Health Centre is a significant milestone for out-of-hospital healthcare services in the Illawarra.
"This modern, purpose-built facility will make it easier for local residents to access a wide range of health services in the one location, closer to home.
"This is part of the Minns Labor Government's record investment in healthcare right across the Illawarra, delivering more services and more hospital beds to meet the health needs of our growing community.
"More staff, more hospitals and beds, greater access to care and medicines, and we're starting to turn around hospital wait times - there's more to do, but we're making progress."
Quotes attributable to Member for Wollongong Paul Scully:
"Residents of Warrawong and surrounding suburbs deserve good access to quality health services.
"The new community health centre is bringing vital health care services under one roof with modern facilities for community-based healthcare services.
"It's fantastic to see the construction of this new facility in the final stages of fit out, preparing to welcome patients in the coming weeks."
Quotes attributable to Member for Shellharbour Anna Watson:
"This project is part of more than $1 billion in health infrastructure across the Illawarra Shoalhaven, ensuring communities from Milton and Ulladulla to Shellharbour, Shoalhaven and Wollongong have access to contemporary health facilities closer to home.
"I look forward to seeing patients, families and staff benefit from this wonderful new facility when it opens."
