Project overview
24 View St, Cessnock NSW 2325
Health Infrastructure, in partnership with Hunter New England Local Health District, is redeveloping Cessnock Hospital.
The $138 million Cessnock Hospital Redevelopment will deliver modern, high-quality healthcare in a state-of-the-art facility. It will meet the community’s needs now and in the future.
The project will increase hospital capacity, improve models of care, and provide a safe, welcoming space for patients and staff.
Cessnock Hospital will continue to be a key part of the Lower Hunter region’s health network, supporting local services.
Planning and design are almost complete. The public exhibition of planning documents closed on Monday 17 February 2025.
News and updates
Latest designs released
The latest designs for the Cessnock Hospital Redevelopment have been unveiled.
Concept design unveiled
Early designs to modernise Cessnock Hospital have been shaped by input from clinicians, staff, and consumers.
Project information
Benefits
The project will:
- Meet the growing and changing healthcare needs of the local community.
- Support modern models of care, including integrated care for older residents with chronic illnesses.
- Enable virtual care.
- Strengthen the network of health services in the Lower Hunter region.
- Improve staff and patient flow for better efficiency.
- Provide culturally appropriate facilities.
- Create a safe and welcoming work environment to attract and support staff.
Scope
The project includes construction of a new 2-storey acute services building on the Cessnock Hospital campus, featuring:
- An expanded emergency department.
- Operating theatres and day surgery spaces.
- Two new inpatient wards with single and 2-bed rooms, each with an ensuite.
- A sterilising services unit.
- A new medical imaging service.
- A modern pharmacy.
The Cessnock Hospital Redevelopment master plan was updated in April 2024. Hunter New England Local Health District and Health Infrastructure worked with hospital staff, patients, stakeholder groups, and the local community to ensure the redevelopment meets the community’s healthcare needs.
A master plan is created early in the planning process. It provides a high-level framework for locating clinical services on-site and guiding hospital expansion and refurbishment to meet future needs.
The plan also considers how people will travel to and from the hospital, how it will connect to infrastructure and essential services, and how the hospital campus will function after the redevelopment.
Concept design
The concept designs for the Cessnock Hospital Redevelopment were released on 30 April 2024.
Staff, stakeholders, and the community were invited to review the designs and provide feedback. Their input will help shape the next stage, the schematic design.
Schematic design
The schematic design was developed with input from staff and feedback from stakeholders and the community. It details the layout of each department in the new acute services building.
The artist’s impressions and floor plans below were released on 30 October 2024. Staff and community information sessions provided more details and invited further feedback on the design.
Project timeline
Building a hospital involves 3 key phases – planning, design and delivery.
| 2023 | Project announced and planning commenced |
| 2024 | Community invited to provide feedback |
| 2024 | Master plan updated |
| 2025 | Project placed on public exhibition |
2023 Project announced and planning commenced |
2024 Community invited to provide feedback |
2024 Master plan updated |
2025 Project placed on public exhibition |
| 2023 | Concept design commenced |
| 2024 | Concept design released for feedback |
| 2024 | Schematic design revealed |
| 2025 | Designs placed on public exhibition |
2023 Concept design commenced |
2024 Concept design released for feedback |
2024 Schematic design revealed |
2025 Designs placed on public exhibition |
The Cessnock Hospital Redevelopment is progressing towards delivery, with planning and design finalised. The public exhibition period has ended, and community feedback has helped refine the design.
Health Infrastructure and Hunter New England Local Health District continue to work together to ensure the project meets the community’s healthcare needs. While construction has not yet begun, preparations are underway to move the project forward. The project team appreciates the valuable input from staff, stakeholders, and the community.
Community engagement
We are committed to ensuring healthcare services meet the needs of the people who use them. Staff, patient, stakeholder, and community input has played a vital role in shaping the Cessnock Hospital Redevelopment.
Consultation
Since early master planning, the project team has hosted several community information sessions at Cessnock Hospital and local venues to share updates and gather feedback.
Most recently, planning documentation was on public exhibition from 20 January to 17 February 2025. Community feedback from this process has helped refine the project.
Contact our project team
For more information about the Cessnock Hospital Redevelopment, contact the project team at HI-Cessnock@health.nsw.gov.au.