A milestone has been achieved for the John Hunter Health and Innovation Precinct project, with works completed on Stage One the Emergency Department Interim Expansion.
A new Emergency Department is included in the redevelopment of the John Hunter and John Hunter Children's Hospital, however the interim works were brought forward to allow the existing Emergency Department more treatment spaces for managing the expected surge with winter and COVID-19 response.
These works provide an additional 12 treatment spaces to the existing 30, as well as an additional procedure room. An existing administration area was refurbished and re-purposed to provide the dedicated paediatric treatment zone.
‘The John Hunter Hospital is the busiest trauma centre in the state. This increased capacity will relieve pressure on the existing Emergency Department and ensure we have the capacity to meet the demands of the Greater Newcastle, Hunter New England and northern NSW Regions,’ said Hunter New England Chief Executive Michael DiRienzo.
Planning for the second stage of works to refurbish the existing Emergency Department are now underway. Works will be scheduled pending the status of COVID-19 and the winter flu season to minimise operational impacts.