New family accommodation at Westmead

Accommodation services for families of seriously ill or injured children will be boosted at the Children’s Hospital Westmead with a new Parramatta Mission facility funded by the Parramatta Light Rail project, Premier Gladys Berejiklian today confirmed.

“I am so pleased to announce that we are going to redevelop a space at The Children’s Hospital that will provide brand new accommodation for families of ill or injured children while Parramatta Light Rail construction is underway,” Ms Berejiklian said.

“Parramatta Mission has been providing a fantastic service to families in need for more than a decade, so it is important to us that we help make sure that service can continue.”

Minister for Transport and Infrastructure, Andrew Constance said the site of Parramatta Mission’s current family units on Hainsworth Street, Westmead, known as Wesley Apartments, was required to facilitate the construction of the light rail project.

“A small portion of the property is required so the light rail can safely turn from Hawkesbury Road into Hainsworth Street, so we have struck a deal with Wesley and the hospital to redevelop some underutilised space on the hospital grounds into brand new, modern apartments,” he said.

“When light rail construction is complete, the property will be returned to Parramatta Mission so they can rebuild a new Wesley Apartments on the site with the support of Transport for NSW.

“This will allow them to build a purpose-built facility catering to the needs of families both in the short and longer terms without any disruption.”

Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network CEO Dr Michael Brydon said: “The hospital is working with Parramatta Mission to ensure accommodation for families is not reduced during light rail construction.”

“This Government investment at the hospital will also benefit families long after the light rail begins operating,” Dr Brydon said.

Work on Parramatta Light Rail in Westmead is expected to start in 2019 with construction on the new hospital base for Parramatta Mission to be completed before then for a seamless transition.

Parramatta Mission Senior Minister and Group Chief Executive Officer Reverend Keith Hamilton said it would ensure a positive outcome for families using the Wesley Apartments at Westmead.

“We are very pleased the NSW Government has been able to work with us to ensure we can continue to accommodate our visitors with unwell children in both the short and long-term, during what is a very difficult time for these families,” Rev. Hamilton said.

“My thanks to the NSW Government, Transport for NSW, NSW Health and the Children’s Hospital at Westmead for their continuing, tireless work with Parramatta Mission to ensure the best outcome for everyone.”

The Parramatta Light Rail (stage one) will begin operating in 2023. It will connect Westmead to Carlingford via Parramatta CBD with a two-way track spanning 12 kilometres.

For more information on Parramatta Light Rail, go to: http://www.parramattalightrail.nsw.gov.au/