A new opening schedule has been confirmed for the $723.3 million Tweed Valley Hospital which is now anticipated to open in early 2024.
Since the main works started on the new Tweed Valley Hospital, a number of external pressures have impacted the construction schedule, including the COVID-19 pandemic, the February 2022 floods, construction industry labour shortages and global supply chain interruption.
Northern NSW Local Health District’s Acting Chief Executive, Lynne Weir, said the District continues to engage with hospital and community stakeholders to keep them informed of the updated opening schedule.
“The hospital’s new opening schedule will ensure there is sufficient time to undertake the important operational commissioning phase, as well as prepare for the transition,” Ms Weir said.
“After construction is completed, there are many commissioning activities which are essential to ensuring the hospital and its staff are ready to safely receive patients.
“These include installing furniture, fixtures and equipment, as well as completing clinical cleans and stocking departments with medical consumables in preparation for receiving patients.
“Our staff orientation, inductions and training phases are also extremely important, and we look forward to working with our project teams and our workforce to make this process as smooth as possible.”
Health Infrastructure and Northern NSW Local Health District are working closely with the construction contractor as the hospital progresses through the final stages of construction, which is expected to be complete later this year, followed by the operational commissioning.
“I want to thank the project and construction staff for their tireless efforts and professionalism throughout this process,” Ms Weir said.
“As a Local Health District, we are collectively excited about what this new hospital means for the delivery of first-class health care to the Tweed Valley community.”
For more information on the Tweed Valley Hospital development, visit https://www.tweedvalleyhospital.health.nsw.gov.au/.