Temporary COVID-19 Emergency Department

The ACT Government is acting now to boost our frontline health services and ensure the Territory is prepared for an increase in patients requiring hospital care during the COVID-19 pandemic.

To meet anticipated demand the ACT Government, along with partners Aspen Medical, will build a temporary COVID-19 Emergency Department (ED) on Garran Oval, located adjacent to Canberra Hospital.

The location has been selected to mitigate any interruptions to Canberra Hospital operations through this critical period.  It also provides flexibility for the facility to have adequate area available for logistics and essential equipment servicing the facility.

Site investigation will be carried out over the coming weeks to inform the facility’s final design and site layout. Advice from experts across both the health and construction sectors will also be considered through this process.

Construction will start this month and is expected to be completed in May. The facility will open soon after.

More information on the operation of the facility, including who should use it and when, will be released prior to the facility opening.