Released 11/05/2021
The first round of public consultation for the Canberra Hospital Master Plan has been completed. The Your Say ‘What We Heard’ report, released today, highlights Canberrans wish for a more accessible and connected hospital campus.
Over a six-week period, the ACT Government undertook community and stakeholder engagement to understand what the community and campus users believe is important and what they believe needs to change across the Canberra Hospital campus.
More than 530 individuals and groups provided feedback on the Canberra Hospital campus and its development over the next 20 years.
Minister for Health Rachel Stephen-Smith said the Canberra Hospital Master Plan is another step in the ongoing modernisation of the Canberra Hospital.
“The Master Plan will guide the development of the Canberra Hospital campus over the next 20 years, it will provide a framework for how the campus will change into the future to best support our growing and changing population.
“This work will give us a holistic, strategic view of the campus that ensures future changes will create a hospital where all patients, staff and visitors feel safe, supported and comfortable.”
“Through our extensive engagement with consumers, clinicians and the wider community regarding the Canberra Hospital Expansion and the Canberra Hospital Master Plan, we know how important wayfinding, welcoming spaces and accessible clinical services are for patients, families and carers,” said Minister Stephen-Smith.
The main feedback themes from the community during the first phase of consultation include:
- Access and accessibility – concerns about how the campus can be accessed by car and public transport, how easily it can be navigated and the desire for a more intuitive campus that is easier to navigate.
- Clinical services and staff and public amenity – including the retail offerings on the campus.
- Car parking – feedback indicated strong support for more car parking, and closer to where clinical services are delivered.
- Safety, security – a strong desire to have design elements incorporated on the campus to create a safer campus where people feel more secure.
- Outdoor space –more green space on campus and more places for children to play. There was also a desire to have green space visible from hospital windows.
- Broader ACT health services –comments regarding new hospitals in other areas of Canberra and other locations for this hospital.
More than 530 individuals and groups provided feedback during the first phase of consultation.
“I thank all the groups and individuals who provided comments through the first round of public consultation and for taking the time to give considered feedback about our hospital campus.
“We will now take this feedback and consolidate it with what we know about the condition of our existing buildings and current and future demand for clinical services to produce master plan options for further consultation. It is expected these options will be ready for consultation later this year.
“Our hospital campus is an important part of our community and it is vital that we grow and develop it over time to ensure the best possible patient care,” said Minister Stephen-Smith.
To see the What We Heard report visit: https://yoursay.act.gov.au/download_file/4842/1529.
- Statement ends -
Rachel Stephen-Smith, MLA | Media Releases