$1 billion Westmead redevelopment set to open in early 2021

MedTech News: Western Sydney Local Health District and Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network have signed an agreement to ensure they work as partners across the Precinct to deliver the best patient care.

The flagship of the more than $1 billion Westmead Redevelopment, the Central Acute Services Building (CASB) sits between the adult and children’s existing hospitals on Hawkesbury Road at Westmead. It features two new emergency departments – one for adults and one for children.

The 14-level building is set to open in early 2021 after completion was fast-tracked by Health Infrastructure in May this year. It includes operating theatres, medical imaging, pharmacy, more than 300 patient rooms, and education, training and research facilities on every floor.

Western Sydney Local Health District (WSLHD) chief executive Graeme Loy and Sydney Children’s Hospital Network (SCHN) chief executive Cathryn Cox met on Tuesday to sign the historic agreement and commit to principles including collaboration, openness, trust, respect, empowerment and integrity.

While each organisation will maintain total responsibility for its operations, representatives will form a steering committee to work on the joint objective of making Westmead Health Precinct a leader in health services, research, education, advocacy and innovation.

Mr Loy said he was thrilled to usher in a new era of patient care in Westmead Health Precinct.

“This is the first time we’ve brought together Western Sydney Local Health District with the Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network, as well as University of Sydney, to create a space of high-quality care, learning and innovation,” he said.

Ms Cox said the formalising of its partnership with WSLHD was a commitment to transforming healthcare for the community across western Sydney and New South Wales.

“The redevelopment project has enabled us, and our partners, to rethink the way we deliver healthcare. The collaborative approach to the project will continue when the new building opens and we see the additional benefits of working alongside our colleagues in research, education and clinical care across the age spectrum.

The Westmead Health Precinct is one of the largest health, education, research, innovation and training precincts in Australia, featuring four major hospitals, four world-leading medical research institutes, two university campuses and the largest research intensive pathology service in NSW.