The Minns Labor Government today marked the official opening of The Children’s Hospital at Westmead’s new 14-storey Paediatric Services Building, featuring a major expansion of surgical and intensive care facilities.
The new building will mean more children can get complex care, surgery and intensive treatment in one place, closer to home.
Forming the centrepiece of the $659.1 million Stage 2 Redevelopment, the new building brings acute and critical healthcare services closer together to streamline care for children and young people from across the state.
The building incorporates:
- expanded surgical services, including a larger surgical inpatient unit and new surgical short stay unit
- new operating theatres, specialist cardiology and radiology labs
- dedicated neonatal and paediatric intensive care units spanning two floors
- expanded cancer services, including a new day oncology treatment centre and inpatient unit
- statewide burns service
- expanded pharmacy and oncology pharmacy, equipped with robotic technology to automatically dispense medication
The building was designed in consultation with patients, families and staff, to create light-filled, home-like environments to support health outcomes and the wellbeing of children and their families.
The Children’s Hospital at Westmead is one of the 78 hospitals rolling out safe staffing levels, with recruitment completed for 19 additional nurses in the emergency department.
With the completion of the Stage 2 Redevelopment, the Westmead Health Precinct is one of the largest health, research, education and training precincts in the world.
In addition to the Minns Government’s investment, the Sydney Children’s Hospitals Foundation has committed $75 million across both The Children’s Hospital at Westmead and Sydney Children’s Hospital, Randwick to enhance patient and family spaces, support research, and deliver specialist centres for complex and integrated care.
The Minns Labor Government is making the long-term investments into recruiting more staff and building more hospitals to better meet the growing health needs of our community and relieve pressure on our health system.
Across the state, the Minns Labor Government is delivering 32 new or upgraded hospitals, helping to ensure people can access the care they need, when they need it, closer to home.
In Western Sydney, that includes a commitment to deliver 600 additional beds and treatment spaces with new hospitals in Rouse Hill and Bankstown and more beds for Blacktown and Mount Druitt hospitals as we continue rebuilding our health system that was neglected under the former Liberal Government.
Quotes attributable to Premier of New South Wales Chris Minns:
“When your child is seriously sick, families just want great care close to home and that’s what this new building will help deliver.
“This means more operating theatres, more intensive care capacity and better facilities for children and their families.
“Western Sydney is growing fast and the essential services need to grow with it. This investment is part of rebuilding the health system for the future.”
Quotes attributable to Deputy Premier and Minister for Western Sydney Prue Car:
“This government delivers on its promises – building the hospitals, schools and vital infrastructure that growing communities in Western Sydney deserve.
“For too long, Western Sydney was simply treated as second to Sydney, when in reality it is the beating heart of our city. This incredible facility reflects that shift, bringing world-class healthcare and essential services right here to Westmead.
“Families shouldn’t have to leave their community to access the very best healthcare for their children, and this investment means increased access to life-changing and life-saving treatment close to home.
“This is part of the Minns Labor Government’s broader investment in rebuilding healthcare across Western Sydney.”
Quotes attributable to the Minister for Health Ryan Park:
“This landmark investment represents the future of paediatric healthcare in NSW. Families in Western Sydney now have improved access to world-class care in a state-of-the-art facility, closer to home and all in one place.
“The new building at The Children’s Hospital at Westmead brings together cutting-edge clinical services and thoughtfully designed spaces that prioritise the safety, comfort and wellbeing of young patients and their families.
“We are making record investments to deliver more hospitals and more beds to meet the health needs of growing communities in Western Sydney and right across NSW.”
Quotes attributable to Member for Parramatta Donna Davis:
“This is a significant investment in Western Sydney, ensuring families have access to leading paediatric care close to home, while strengthening the area as a centre for healthcare excellence.
“Facilities like this not only support better outcomes for children and young people with a wide range of health conditions, but also help attract and retain the highly skilled clinicians and staff who deliver that care.”
Quotes attributable to Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network Chief Executive, Cathryn Cox PSM:
“Our staff have always delivered exceptional care for children and families from across NSW, and it’s wonderful to see our Westmead staff supported by a new facility that truly matches that standard.
“I want to sincerely thank our teams for their dedication and effort in bringing this building to life. Opening a facility of this scale is no small achievement, and it’s a testament to the commitment, collaboration and passion of everyone involved.”