Hospital milestone celebrated with community involvement
John Hunter Hospital's new acute services building has reached its highest point, marking a key milestone in the project set for completion in 2026.
John Hunter Health and Innovation Precinct Topping Out
The John Hunter Health and Innovation Precinct project reaches the highest point of construction.
When 8-year-old Miller Townsend visits the John Hunter Children’s Hospital every month, he makes sure to check in with his friend Al Crawford, one of the crane operators on the construction site.
So, it made sense that the 2 friends had a front row seat at the celebration to mark the building reaching its highest point this month that was also attended by NSW Health Minister Ryan Park and a number of other local MPs.
Concrete has now been poured for all 12 levels of the new acute services building, which will include 4 basement level carparks, 7 levels of clinical space and 2 rooftop helipads.
The project will greatly increase the capacity to provide essential healthcare services to Newcastle, the greater Hunter region and northern NSW communities.
The John Hunter and John Hunter Children’s Hospital is key to patients like Miller who has been receiving treatment for a rare genetic bone marrow disorder - Diamond Blackfan Anaemia - that prevents the body from producing enough red blood cells.
Crane driver, Al makes sure to call the Townsend family whenever Miller is in hospital so they can wave to each other through the window. Their bond is a wonderful way to demonstrate the impact this new clinical services building will have on the community and its healthcare.
Over the life of the project around 1,500 direct jobs will be created and the potential to support thousands of indirect jobs.
To date, there have been more than 70 trades involved and an average of 700 workers on site each day.
The new acute services building is scheduled for completion in 2026 followed by refurbishment of the existing facility that is due for completion in 2027.