The redevelopment of Sutherland Hospital will give Shire residents state-of-the-art medical facilities and strengthen a new Medical Precinct.
New facilities reach high point
On 31 October 2016, a significant milestone was reached in the $62.9 million redevelopment of Sutherland Hospital. After 10 months of construction, the physical structure reached its full height, prompting a topping out ceremony attended by then Health Minister Jillian Skinner and local MPs.
Topping out ceremonies are common in many parts of the world and trace back to ancient practices. These days, they mark the point where a construction reaches its highest point and usually involve a tree being placed at the high point to bring luck for future occupants and the continuing safety and growth of the project.
The tree used at the Sutherland Hospital ceremony was a native bloodwood and will be planted in the hospital grounds on completion of the project.
The redevelopment timeline to date
After the project got the go ahead (in conjunction with the redevelopment of nearby St George hospital) by the NSW government in 2014, early works started on a new hospital carpark in early 2015.
The main works commenced in February 2016 and April 2016 marked the first concrete pour for the ground level slab of the new Emergency Department.
Expected completion in mid-2017
Sutherland Shire residents can expect the completion of the Sutherland Hospital redevelopment in mid-2017. The project will deliver a new and bigger emergency department, providing three resuscitation bays and 41 other treatment bays, and 60 new acute inpatient beds
The hospital, which was originally built and opened in the 1950s, will be included in the refurbishments. Additional storage space for theatres will boost efficiencies and capacity and the existing imaging department is being expanded.
We look forward to celebrating the next milestone – completion of the project and new facilities for the community.