27 October 2017

The $251 million Shellharbour Hospital redevelopment will begin next year, delivering more operating theatres, a new emergency department and greatly expanded surgical services.

Minister for Health Brad Hazzard said the NSW Government is committed to ensuring that the community of Shellharbour gets a world-class hospital as soon as possible.

“Shellharbour Hospital was neglected for so long by Labor so our plan was always ‘how do we deliver the best facility for staff and the community and where’,” Mr Hazzard said.

“I promised the local community we would look at every option but after assessment of the expression of interest from providers, and after listening to community views, the NSW Government has determined that a Government-led approach is the best way forward.

“I want to thank Shellharbour Hospital staff and the local community, including its very strong advocate MP Gareth Ward, for working with us as we considered redevelopment plans.”

The NSW Government is investing record amounts in health infrastructure all over our state and the people of Shellharbour and the Illawarra will now see the results of that investment.”

The $251 million Shellharbour Hospital upgrade will be on the existing site and will include:

  • two extra operating theatres
  • new emergency department
  • additional critical care services
  • increased acute inpatient surgical services
  • expanded outpatient clinic space.

Parliamentary Secretary for the Illawarra, Gareth Ward, said this significant upgrade will go a long way in boosting clinical care for patients in the fast-growing Illawarra region.

“I’ve worked hard to ensure the community’s views about how best to upgrade this hospital were put directly to the Minister and like the rest of the community, I’m relieved and delighted with today’s announcement,” Mr Ward said.

“Under the former Labor government we had no chance of getting money for our hospital and I’m thankful to be part of the team of the Liberal National-Government that’s going to deliver our amazing new hospital facility.”

“We all know that we’ve got great medical staff looking after us at Shellharbour – now we’ll have the hospital facility to match their commitment.”

Visit Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District to stay up-to-date as the project progresses.