The biggest hospital redevelopment in NSW kicked off in December 2014 when NSW Minister for Health Jillian Skinner gave the signal for work to begin on the Westmead Hospital redevelopment project. With one blast of an air horn and the words, “Demolition zone clear, you are approved to proceed,” Mrs Skinner instructed expert excavator driver Joel George to begin demolition of the old administration building, which will clear the way for a new acute service building. “This is an historic day for Western Sydney. Westmead Hospital is an iconic but ageing hospital which must be transformed to meet the needs of this rapidly-growing region,” Mrs Skinner said. “In June, I stood on this site with the Treasurer to announce Stage 1 of the redevelopment - a project worth in excess of $400 million. “Today I am delighted to return to see an excavator get to work.” Stage 1 of the Westmead Hospital redevelopment will deliver:
More than 1000 clinicians, other staff and community members have been consulted about the Westmead Hospital redevelopment. The concept plan for the redevelopment will be finalised in mid-2015, and the project team will continue to consult with hospital and precinct stakeholders. Redevelopment will be delivered in stages to ensure clinical services are maintained at all times. The total project is expected to cost more than $1 billion when complete.