The community is being invited to view and provide feedback on the Cessnock Hospital Redevelopment planning documents, with the Review of Environmental Factors (REF) on public exhibition from Monday 20 January 2025.
The Minns Labor Government is investing $138 million in the Cessnock Hospital Redevelopment, to deliver a new two-storey acute services building at the hospital campus, enhancing health services for the region.
The REF and hospital designs have been informed by extensive consultation with staff, stakeholders and the community, including recent community information sessions on the schematic design of the new acute services building held in October last year.
Key features of the redevelopment include an expanded emergency department, two inpatient wards with single and two-bed rooms, all with ensuite bathrooms, a new medical imaging service and day surgery spaces.
In the 2024-25 NSW Budget, the Minns Labor Government allocated an additional $26.5 million to the original $111.5 million project, to support the delivery of additional new facilities including an operating theatre, procedure room, Central Sterilising Services Department, and a modern pharmacy department.
The contemporary health facilities will support best-practice models of care and improve campus accessibility for patients and staff by better integrating healthcare services.
Main works construction is expected to start in mid-2025, following the planning approval and the appointment of a building contractor.
The Review of Environmental Factors and supporting technical documents will be available on the Health Infrastructure website from 9.00am Monday 20 January 2025: www.hinfra.health.nsw.gov.au/projects/on-exhibition
Feedback can be provided until midnight on Monday, 17 February 2025.
Hunter New England Local Health District will continue to work closely with community stakeholders and staff to ensure the redevelopment meets the future health needs of the growing Cessnock community.
For further information, visit the project website: hneinfra.health.nsw.gov.au/projects/Cessnock
Quotes attributable to Minister for Regional Health, Ryan Park:
"The investment in the Cessnock Hospital Redevelopment project will enable delivery of modern hospital and healthcare facilities to support the current and future health needs of communities in Cessnock and the Lower Hunter region.
"This is a significant milestone for the redevelopment project and we're grateful for the input provided by staff and community into the planning process for the project."
Quotes attributable to Member for Cessnock, Clayton Barr:
"I'm delighted to see planning for the Cessnock Hospital Redevelopment reach this significant milestone, which will boost health services for patients, families and their carers across the lower Hunter region.
"We encourage the community to provide their feedback on the plans while they are on public exhibition."
Quotes attributable to Executive Director of Infrastructure, Planning and Sustainability, Hunter New England Local Health District, Dr Ramsey Awad:
"This important step in the $138 million redevelopment will mean we are one step closer to delivering a state-of-the-art hospital for the Cessnock community."
