New $110.2 million Cowra Hospital ready to open its doors to patients and community
The new $110.2 million Cowra Hospital is opening its doors to patients, staff and visitors, providing new, enhanced services and modern, purpose-built facilities for the Cowra and surrounding communities.
Final preparations are underway to formally open the new hospital, following a Community Open Day which welcomed almost 600 people from Cowra and surrounding areas for guided tours to showcase the new facility.
WNSWLHD Chief Executive Mark Spittal said the facility’s “Go Live” is an exciting milestone for Cowra Hospital, it’s dedicated staff and volunteers, the entire District and most importantly the local and wider communities.
“The opening of the new Cowra Hospital represents years of planning, collaboration, dedication and hard work, and every aspect of the facility has been designed with staff, patients and their families in mind to support better health outcomes and care experiences,” Mr Spittal said.
“This new hospital belongs to our community and I was thrilled to see so many people from Cowra and surrounding towns at last weekend’s Community Open Day, which gave them a chance for an inside look at the new facility before it opens.
“Our entire District is excited to begin a new chapter in local healthcare for Cowra and the region, one that boosts services, strengthens access to and delivers care closer to people’s homes.”
To ensure a smooth transition for staff and health services into the new facility and help minimise disruption for the community, a comprehensive relocation plan has been developed for the coordinated move.
In the days prior to opening, there may be some temporary changes to hospital services while departments relocate to the new building. Staff will be available to provide assistance at the existing hospital’s main entrance.
Once the new hospital opens, work will focus on the final stage of the project, including the demolition of the former Cowra hospital and subsequent construction of the facility’s new carpark in its place, and extensive external landscaping.
As this work is undertaken, there will only be limited car parking available to support the Emergency Department entrance. Additional support services are being explored to minimise disruption as much as possible. Patients and visitors are encouraged to allow additional travel time when visiting the new hospital.
When complete, the new carpark will provide car spaces adjacent to the hospital’s main entrance, including several new accessible car spaces, and enhance access to health services for patients, carers and visitors.
Temporary signage will be in place across the hospital campus to direct the community to the new emergency department’s entrance.
Minister for Regional Health Ryan Park said delivering more hospitals and more beds means more people can access the care they need, when they need it, and closer to home.
“The $110.2 million Cowra Hospital will provide new and enhanced health services from modern, purpose-built facilities, and will significantly improve the care and better support staff, patients and their families now and into the future," Mr park said.
“From the new emergency department, maternity unit and pathology laboratory to the expanded inpatient wards and medical imaging department, the improved technology in place at the hospital will make a massive difference to the experiences of staff, patients and their families.
“Opening this new Cowra Hospital marks an important milestone, giving the people of Cowra and the surrounding regions the hospital they need and deserve.”
For more information on the project, visit the Cowra Hospital Redevelopment website.