Visitors, staff and patients will soon have access to a new main entrance and reception space with the opening of the Canberra Hospital Welcome Hall on Monday 3 June.
The Welcome Hall is the first section of the new Critical Services Building to open ahead of services transitioning in August.
Minister for Health Rachel Stephen-Smith said the opening of the Welcome Hall is a significant step towards delivering the Critical Services Building for Canberra.
"As the new main entrance to the hospital, the Welcome Hall will significantly improve the experience for everyone working in and visiting the hospital," said Minister Stephen-Smith.
"It will be a vibrant and active centre of the hospital campus that connects the existing Canberra Hospital to the new building."
As visitors and staff enter the building, they will be greeted by a large double story, light filled space, complete with hubs for seating, greenery, a café, retail space, and a large wooden panelled reception point where staff are based to help visitors find their way.
The brand-new foyer will connect the Critical Services Building with the rest of the Canberra Hospital campus.
"It is important that our health infrastructure is not only well-designed to support clinical services, but also needs to be a welcoming and inclusive space that is enjoyable for both visitors and the workforce," said Minister Stephen-Smith.
"Community feedback has been essential to the design and construction of the space, ensuring that the building is welcoming for all people, easy to navigate and designed to reflect the diversity of Canberra's community."
Key features of the design include:
- a striking wooden panelled main reception to provide customer service and welcome community to the hospital;
- a new café and retail space to activate the area (to be opened at a later date);
- seating hubs and green outdoor spaces for visitors and patients to relax in;
- floor to ceiling, double glazed windows providing a strong connection to the surrounding landscape;
- a conveniently located changing places adult change room, reflecting feedback from people with disability and their carers;
- a semi-transparent, above-ground clinical link that connects the existing hospital with the new building and provides patients with privacy as they are transferred through the hospital; and
- striking art installations from local artists that create a welcoming and inclusive space.
The Welcome Hall is at the centre of the hospital campus, close to a new covered pick-up and drop-off point, including for taxis and public transport. The turning circle will also service the new Emergency Department through a separate entrance.
"With construction drawing to a close and Canberra Health Services getting ready to move in, it is exciting to see this project almost complete," said Minister Stephen-Smith.
"The Critical Services Building will provide Canberrans with access to a bigger emergency department, more operating theatres and a larger ICU.
"Canberra Hospital staff will have access to state-of-the art equipment and facilities to support them deliver best practice and patient centred care. We know the community and workforce are looking forward to the Critical Services Building opening and look forward to sharing more details as we near the opening date."
