New Maitland Hospital on target to open early next year: Hazzard

Health Minister Brad Hazzard visited the construction site today (Tuesday) to see the project's progress first-hand.

Mr Hazzard toured the emergency and outpatients departments, birthing suites, special care nursery, intensive care unit, operating theatres, renal and chemotherapy units, and the rooftop helipad, which has just completed testing by the Westpac Rescue Helicopter team.

"It is just fantastic to see the great progress on the new Maitland Hospital, which is on track to deliver world-class health care to the Hunter community from early next year," Mr Hazzard said.

"The new Maitland Hospital project is a major opportunity to embrace technology and innovation, creating new ways of working and ultimately improving health outcomes for patients."

The redevelopment will also include a new $30 million car park, bringing the total investment in the new Maitland Hospital to half a billion dollars.

The new hospital will feature the largest scale installation of an artwork commissioned in a NSW Health facility.

Designed by artist Peter Poulet, the artwork for the main foyer draws on stories collected from locals and is an abstract representation of the Maitland area, the river and surrounding landscape. The artist is due to begin painting in-situ on Monday, May 31.

The artwork on the arbour along the drop off and entry to the building has been designed by indigenous artist Saretta Fielding and celebrates Wonnarua country.

The new hospital will provide emergency care, chemotherapy chairs, surgical services, critical care, maternity services, paediatric care, cardiac catherisation, mental health, palliative care, outpatient clinics and dental services.

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