Investing in the future health and wellbeing of our community
The ACT Government is committed to healthcare that puts patients first and provides the right facilities to meet the future health needs of the ACT and surrounding region.
The Canberra Hospital site was first established in 1955, and since its first patients in 1973 the hospital has been an important part of our community. As Canberra’s population has grown, so too has the hospital. Each day, more than 3,000 people are on the Canberra Hospital campus, including staff, visitors, and patients.
Over the last decade significant investments have been made in new and upgraded infrastructure at the campus, including an investment of over $600 million in the Canberra Hospital Expansion Project. The Project will deliver a new Critical Services Building that will include more operating rooms, more treatment spaces and more intensive care beds. Construction on the new facility began in 2021 and is expected to be completed in 2024.
The Canberra Hospital Master Plan is the next step in transforming the campus to offer world class healthcare.
The Canberra Hospital Master Plan
The Canberra Hospital Master Plan will deliver a combination of new and upgraded health care facilities over the next 20 years.
Key features:
- A campus that is accessible, safe, people focused and welcoming.
- Seven distinct precincts to support efficiency and ease of navigation.
- Improved car and bike parking, pedestrian and cycle paths, public transport, and supply distribution routes.
- Expandable, flexible, and resilient services and supporting infrastructure.
- Opportunities for compatible commercial activities and private and allied health service delivery.
- The interweaving of local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture through the built environment.
- Integrated sustainability measures to facilitate net zero emissions by 2040 and minimal environmental impacts.
New Pathology and Clinical Support Building
A new Pathology and Clinical Support Building is an early priority of the Master Plan. The new building will provide a state-of-the-art facility for staff whose work behind the scenes is vital to delivering health care in our hospitals and will enable the modernisation and expansion of pathology services.
A contract has been awarded to EY to support continued planning for the new Pathology and Clinical Support Building as well as future inpatient buildings. EY will work with the architects that developed the Master Plan, STH, to prepare functional designs, models of care and a business case for the new buildings.
The Pathology and Clinical Support Building will be located on the site of the current Buildings 6 and 23. A Development Application (DA) for the demolition of the buildings has been approved. Demolition is expected to commence in the second half of 2023.
Development of the Canberra Hospital Master Plan
The Canberra Hospital Master Plan was informed by:
- Demand data projections
- Asset age and condition reports
- Feedback from clinicians and staff
- Expert consulting teams
- Community and stakeholder engagement.
Consultation and engagement
Phase 1 community and stakeholder engagement took place from 29 January – 10 March 2021. The focus of the Phase 1 consultation was to gain an understanding of the values associated with the Canberra Hospital campus. Based on the feedback received during Phase 1 consultation and a range of specialist studies and research, two options were developed for the Canberra Hospital Master Plan.
Phase 2 consultation took place between from 23 July – 1 September 2021. The focus of Phase 2 consultation was to gather feedback on two Master Plan options.
The consultation and engagement campaign undertaken for the Canberra Hospital Master Plan is one of the largest undertaken in the ACT. It included:
- A YourSay campaign
- Meetings with ACT community councils
- Pop-up information stands and drop-in sessions for the community to visit
- Flyers distributed to local residents
- Door knocking of close residents.
Over 1,800 pieces of feedback were received from members of the public and over 50 direct engagement and one-on-one meetings were held with stakeholders.
Next steps
The next steps in the planning process will involve the concept design and feasibility of specific Master Plan projects, detailed design and development application submissions. At each phase of planning, the community and stakeholders will have opportunities to provide feedback.
For more information please email: canberrahospitalmasterplan@act.gov.au
