Canberra Hospital Master Plan
The Canberra Hospital Master Plan is the blueprint for the transformation of the Canberra Hospital campus. The plan will deliver a world leading medical environment to support the best healthcare in our region.
Key features of the plan
Over the next 20 years we will make improvements to the Canberra Hospital campus. These improvements will happen in stages. The Canberra Hospital Master Plan details our campus development plans.
The plan includes:
- an accessible, safe, people-focused and welcoming campus
- seven distinct precincts for efficiency and ease of navigation
- improved car and bike parking, pedestrian and cycle paths, public transport, and supply access
- expandable, flexible, and resilient services and supporting infrastructure
- opportunities for compatible commercial activities
- private and allied health service delivery
- an environment that includes Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures
- sustainability measures to help reduce environmental impacts and net zero emissions by 2040.
The plan was informed by:
- data predicting future demand for care and services at Canberra Hospital
- reports examining the age and the condition of Canberra Hospital
- feedback from staff
- expert consulting teams
- community and stakeholder feedback,
You can see building, transport and service plans for the Canberra Hospital campus in the Canberra Hospital Plan Book.
Background
The Canberra Hospital site was established in 1955. It first received patients in 1973 and continues to be a crucial service to our community.
As Canberra’s population has grown, so too has the hospital. Over the past decade, large investments have been made in new and upgraded health infrastructure. Each day more than 3,000 people are on the Canberra Hospital campus including patients, staff and visitors.
The Master Plan outlines a path to transform the campus over the coming 20 years. Investments will be staged to deliver:
- modern and efficient healthcare facilities
- open space
- improved parking
- capacity for future growth past the 20-year horizon.
The Plan will ensure we continue to provide the right facilities to meet the future health care needs of the ACT and surrounding region.
Consultation and engagement
In 2021, we consulted with the community and stakeholder groups across the ACT region to help develop the Master Plan. It was one of the largest consultation processes ever undertaken in the ACT.
Over 1,800 pieces of feedback were received from members of the public and more than 50 stakeholder meetings were held.
The process took more than three months and included consultation with:
- Canberra Hospital workforce
- Canberra community councils
- members of the public
- key stakeholders
- ACT Government directorates, agencies and authorities.
The feedback opportunities included:
- a YourSay campaign
- pop-up information stands and drop-in sessions in the community
- flyers and door-knocking of residents close to the campus.
The first phase of consultation took place from January to March 2021. In this consultation phase community and campus users told us what they feel we should keep and what we should change about the hospital campus. You can read about that process in our Phase One listening report.
We developed two design options based on the consultation feedback and specialist research.
The second consultation process took place from July until September 2021. Phase 2 consultation sought community feedback on the two campus options. Read more in the Phase Two listening report.
Implementing the Master Plan
Going forward, the focus will shift to implementation of the Master Plan. Major Projects Canberra manages the building work to expand the Canberra Hospital. Expansion work is underway with a new critical services builidng due for completion in late 2024. Further information about Plan implementation is available at the Canberra Hospital Expansion website.
New pathology and clinical support building
A new pathology and clinical support building is an early priority of the Master Plan. The new building will provide a modern facility for staff whose work behind the scenes is vital to delivering health care in our hospitals.
We awarded Earnst and Young (EY) the contract to continue planning for this building and future inpatient buildings. EY will work with our contracted architects to prepare functional designs, models of care and a business case for the new buildings.
The pathology and clinical support building will be located on the site of the current Buildings 6 and 23. A development application (DA) for the demolition of the buildings closed on 18 May 2023. Subject to approval of the DA, demolition of Buildings 6 and 23 is expected to start in the second half of 2023.
Next steps
The next steps in the planning process will involve the concept design and feasibility of specific plan projects, detailed design and development application submissions. At each phase of planning the community and stakeholders will have opportunities to provide feedback.
For more information email canberrahospitalmasterplan@act.gov.au.