Construction on the 14-storey Paediatric Services Building at The Children's Hospital Westmead has begun, which will house the largest critical care unit for kids in Australia.
Premier Dominic Perrottet, Health Minister Brad Hazzard, Member for Seven Hills Mark Taylor and Member for Parramatta Geoff Lee marked the milestone with a sod turning at the site of the new $619 million Stage 2 redevelopment.
"Another day, another world-class health facility, promised and delivered by the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government to provide vital care for sick kids," Mr Perrottet said.
"This project will future-proof health care in Western Sydney and help staff treat, care and support children and their families from across the state and around the country."
The Stage 2 redevelopment is part of almost $8 billion in health infrastructure delivered or underway by the NSW Government across Western and South Western Sydney.
Health Minister Brad Hazzard said the capacity of almost every service will be expanded in the new building, which will form the biggest paediatric facility in NSW.
"The Paediatric and the Neonatal Intensive Care Units will be increased in size and importantly, parents and carers will be able to stay with their children and babies when they need them most," Mr Hazzard said.
"Combined with capacity for more operating theatres, featuring the most advanced technology, this new health facility will house the largest paediatric critical care unit in the country."
The services within the new Paediatric Services Building will include:
- Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
- Paediatric Intensive Care Unit
- Cancer services
- operating theatres and perioperative suite
- NSW State Paediatric Burns Unit
- cardiac catheterisation and interventional laboratories
- a new Pharmacy department with state-of-the-art robotics
- enhanced Inpatient Units with parent accommodation available at the bed side.
Mr Taylor said patients, families, staff and community have been involved at every stage of the planning for this major redevelopment.
"The new paediatric services building has been thoughtfully designed to ensure the facilities support both patient wellbeing, their carers comfort and deliver the best working environment for staff to deliver exceptional care," Mr Taylor said.
Mr Lee said the project would support around 1100 direct jobs for Western Sydney, with the potential for supporting thousands of indirect jobs over the life of the project.
"The NSW Liberal and Nationals Government has delivered billions in health infrastructure to Western Sydney boosting local jobs and the economy," Mr Lee said.
The redevelopment also includes a multi-storey car park; more access to redeveloped green spaces; improved spaces for families, and new and accessible playgrounds.
Construction is expected to be completed in 2025.
