News

Lake Macquarie Unveils First Stage of Redevelopment

Apr 21, 2011

Lake Macquarie Private Hospital has unveiled part of its $12 million development which has been six months in construction. The redevelopment includes a new accommodation wing of 31 private rooms with ensuites to allow for the expansion of orthopaedic, surgical and cardiac services at the hospital. A 1200 sqm extension to Lake Macquarie Specialist Medical Centre and the establishment of a new Day Chemotherapy Unit are also part of the development and due to open in April 2011.

CEO John Pitsonis said the new facilities would significantly boost health services in the region and assist the hospital to meet the needs of the Newcastle region well into the future.

"Lake Macquarie Private Hospital has been serving the Newcastle region for almost four decades and has established an excellent reputation for the provision of world class cardiac and surgical services. This busy regional hospital undertakes over 3500 cardiac procedures per annum and over 8000 operations.

"With a rapidly expanding and ageing population, these new facilities will allow us to continue to meet the healthcare needs of the region well into the future," Mr Huxley said. With this development, Lake Macquarie Private Hospital grows to a 149 bed hospital positioning it as one of the largest private hospitals in the region. The hospital will open its new 8 chair Day Chemotherapy Unit and extensions to the Lake Macquarie Specialist Medical Centre in April.

"Ramsay Health Care has invested significant funds into the Newcastle region, not only in this $12 million investment in Lake Macquarie Private Hospital but also a further $7 million investment in the expansion of private mental health and rehabilitation services at Warners Bay Private Hospital nearby which is currently underway," Mr Huxley said.

"This investment brings jobs to the region, not only for the building sector, but also for clinical staff. We now have a major recruitment drive underway for nurses to staff our new facilities."

The project has been delivered on time and on budget thanks to Ramsay's partnership with builders Akalan Projects and major sub-contractor Quicksmart Homes. Quicksmart's modern prefabricated modular buildings which are factory built significantly reduced the overall construction time and provided a cost-effective installation of the new Lake Macquarie accommodation wing.