Gunnedah Hospital Redevelopment

Health Infrastructure engaged a specialist project team to undertake the detailed planning and design for the redevelopment. This includes:

• RP Infrastructure as the Project Manager.
• dwp Australia as the Architect.
• Altus Group as the Cost Manager.

The Principal Contractor (Richard Crookes Constructions) was engaged in late 2023.

Planning and design of the redevelopment will be a collaborative process involving consultation with clinicians, staff, patient groups, local stakeholders and the community. 

Master plan

The community, staff and stakeholders were invited to view and provide feedback on the Gunnedah Hospital Redevelopment master plan during 2022.

The feedback received was considered to finalise the master plan and develop the early designs for the new hospital and refurbished buildings. This consultation builds on the engagement with staff, project user groups and stakeholders which has been underway since late 2021. 

Concept design

The concept design for the Gunnedah Hospital was released in late May 2022, and the community was encouraged to share their feedback. 

The below artist's impression shows the hospital’s new main entry which has been designed to improve access and was informed by the community’s feedback during master planning. 

Schematic design

The schematic design has been developed with staff and incorporates feedback received from stakeholders and the community during 2023. This level of the design shows the detailed layout of each of the departments within the new hospital building.

Detailed design

After extensive consultation with staff, patients and other key stakeholders, the project team released the detailed designs during 2024. New artist impressions provided a look inside the new facility.

The first artist’s impression shows an example of a single bedroom with a carer zone and large window to allow in natural light. There are a mix of single and double bedrooms all with ensuite. The second artist’s impression is the emergency department showing the staff zone in the centre and the paediatric bay in the background.

The interior design reflects the Gunnedah landscape and includes contemporary, calming, and welcoming spaces that have been designed with the local community in mind. Highlight windows will allow natural light into clinical areas and each ward will have a direct and close visual connection to the landscaped courtyards. There will also be breakout spaces for family, carers and visitors, which will provide areas for families to stay on Country to further support the health and healing of those in need of clinical care.

Construction is expected to be completed in late 2025, and hospital services will continue to operate throughout the construction period.

All existing services offered by Gunnedah Health Service will be available following the redevelopment.

The redevelopment includes a new acute services building on the hospital campus, to house the emergency department, and new birthing, maternity and inpatient unit. The new building will be linked to the existing building.

A new main entry to the hospital has been created off Marquis Street, through refurbishment of the former community health entry.

All other health services will continue to operate onsite within the existing infrastructure, including medical imaging, operating theatre, day surgery, dental, community health, outpatient services, and back-of-house services. The community will continue to have access to chemotherapy and renal services provided through Tamworth Hospital.

Yes, all services will remain during the redevelopment. Some services will be delivered from temporary facilities during the construction process, however we will give the community advance notice of any temporary changes.

Health professionals, consumers, and communities across the Gunnedah region all have an important role in shaping key aspects of the redevelopment project. We are committed to ensuring the staff and community are engaged and consulted throughout the planning and design phases of the project.