RPA hospital $750m redevelopment fast-tracked

October 2020

RPA's transformation to be delivered earlier than planned

A $750 million redevelopment to transform Royal Prince Alfred (RPA) hospital has been fast-tracked and will now be delivered a year earlier than planned.

“The commitment will see the biggest transformation of RPA in its 138 year history,” Dr Teresa Anderson AM, the District’s chief executive, said.

“This redevelopment of RPA will bring together some of the greatest ideas of our staff and will incorporate new models of care including an expansion of rpavirtual, the first virtual hospital in Australia,” Dr Anderson said.

The NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian, Treasurer Dominic Perrottet and Health Minister Brad Hazzard visited RPA, one of Australia’s premier tertiary hospitals, to make the announcement.

“My government has made the decision to bring forward by one year the $750 million redevelopment of Royal Prince Alfred hospital,” Premier Berejiklian said.

“This vast investment in a key piece of the health infrastructure in New South Wales is designed to serve the rapidly growing population of Sydney Local Health District,” she said.

The redevelopment will include a new hospital building and the refurbishment of existing hospital spaces.

There’ll be an expansion of the Emergency Department, Intensive Care Unit, Medical Imaging Services, Operating theatres and Maternity, birthing and neonatal services. There’ll also be integrated ambulatory care services and additional adult inpatient beds.

Health Minister Brad Hazzard said, “While the staff and community have been working hard to provide the highest quality of contemporary health care to meet growing demand, the redevelopment will include a substantial expansion of existing spaces and up to 200 additional hospital beds.”

RPA is recognised as a worldwide leader in healthcare excellence and innovation. It provides an extensive range of diagnostic and treatment services to more people in NSW than any other public hospital. More than 1000 patients are treated at RPA every day.

The NSW Government has allocated $750 million to the redevelopment over the next six years. With the project now being accelerated, $16.3 million has been allocated this financial year and a further $52 million next financial year.

Since opening earlier this year, rpavirtual has redefined the way acute care is delivered in the community caring for more than 4000 patients at home and in Special Health Accommodation

The redevelopment of RPA will also complement the NSW Government’s creation of Tech Central, one of the largest innovation communities in the southern hemisphere.

The redevelopment will facilitate the integration of high-quality clinical practice with teaching, research and innovation, for which RPA is so well-known.

The fast-tracked early and enabling works are anticipated to begin in the next six months and, subject to planning approval, the construction of the new hospital building is expected to start in late 2022.

It’s expected to be completed in late 2025 and is due to open to patients in 2026.
Substantial refurbishment works to the existing hospital spaces will follow the construction of the new hospital building.