$835m John Hunter Hospital building unwrapped in time for Christmas

The NSW Government’s $835 million John Hunter Health and Innovation Precinct will increase overall capacity to ensure the redeveloped hospital can continue providing essential healthcare services to Newcastle, the Hunter and Northern NSW communities. 

The new acute services building will include:

• A new emergency department to meet a projected future demand of more than 95,000 presentations each year
• 22 operating theatres and nine interventional suites to respond to significantly increasing demand for surgical services
• birthing suites, inpatient maternity, neonatal ICU, and special care units
• Modern one and two-bed patient rooms
• Rooftop helipad
• more than 900 additional car parking spaces on the precinct for patients, staff, and visitors. 

The expanded John Hunter Hospital will deliver a 60 per cent increase in intensive care unit (ICU) capacity and almost 50 per cent more theatres.

The new acute services building features four link bridges that connect with the existing hospital and the Hunter Medical Research Institute, creating a direct link between research and medical care.

The colours of the new building’s façade have been inspired by the nearby bushland, combining shades of green and cream to reflect the surrounding environment.

With the building’s façade now complete, work is progressing on the interior fit-out and landscaping, and new artist impressions are providing a look inside, highlighting the modern one and two-bed inpatient rooms, as well as new elevated gardens.

The two, large elevated gardens are located between both buildings, and span more than 2,600 square metres, offering welcoming outdoor spaces for staff, patients and visitors.

Construction of the new building is expected to be completed in 2026, followed by an operational commissioning period to ensure the new building and staff are ready to welcome patients.

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