Wentworth Health Service Redevelopment

The redevelopment will be built on in the existing Wentworth Hospital site and will enhance health services and facilities for residents of the state’s south-western region.

The existing hospital site location site will provide all inpatient bedrooms with a direct view of the beautiful Darling River, offering a therapeutic environment for patients as they receive treatment and care, as well as their families. This location is significant to our local Aboriginal community, allowing connection to Country, while also supporting the wellbeing of all patients, staff and visitors to the health service.

The preferred location was confirmed following a comprehensive review of more than 10 potential sites by Health Infrastructure and the Far West Local Health District, and in consultation with hospital staff, local council and the community.

A range of criteria was considered in determining the hospital site including zoning, size, and location. The current hospital is located on a large site that will enable a completely new facility to be constructed, while ensuring the existing hospital remains operational as works are completed. The site also offers opportunities for future expansion and options to retain the existing staff accommodation buildings, as well as on-site parking for patients, visitors and staff. Positioned on the Silver City Highway, it will provide key access for residents in Curlwaa, Dareton, Coomealla and beyond. 

The community of Wentworth was invited to share their feedback and ask questions about the site selection and master plan at a series of stakeholder and community information sessions with the project team in July 2022.

The concept design showcases the new, purpose-built facility which will overlook the Darling River and will provide enhanced health services within a contemporary facility, benefiting patients, staff and visitors for generations to come.  

The redevelopment will feature a 19-bed Inpatient Unit, Outpatient Clinic and a new Urgent Care Centre, significantly boosting healthcare services in the region. Hospital staff will also be equipped with the latest, fit-for-purpose facilities, including dedicated staff areas so they can continue to provide high-quality care to the Wentworth community.

The new hospital will be built adjacent to the existing hospital and raised above the flood levy to maximise the views of the Darling River. All rooms in the inpatient wing will feature large windows with direct views of the picturesque Darling River, offering a therapeutic environment for patients and their families.

The design for the new facility has been shaped by feedback from key stakeholders including Wentworth Health Service staff, Two Rivers Health Council, Wentworth Shire Council, the local Aboriginal community and the Wentworth community.  

The hospital’s location will enhance the Connection to Country for those visiting the health service.  Maximising the hospital’s connection to the local landscape is a key feature o f the design and will be reflected in the new outdoor areas and landscaping to support the wellbeing of patients, staff and visitors.

A new artist’s impression showcases the latest designs for the new Wentworth Health Service, which will help transform healthcare in the Far West NSW region.

The latest design offers a look at the proposed family and dining room, which will overlook the Darling River to create a therapeutic and welcoming space that supports the wellbeing of patients and visitors.

The redevelopment also includes a palliative care suite, which includes an inpatient room with a private terrace and an adjacent family lounge, and also shares views of the river to support the wellbeing and comfort of patients.

The latest design includes a dedicated space for families next to the urgent care centre, which opens to a shared central courtyard. There will also be a gym with access to the outdoor courtyard for occupational therapy patients.

The new hospital is being built next to the existing hospital and raised above the flood levy to maximise views over the Darling River, with a strong focus on Connection to Country.  

Once the new hospital is fully operational, the existing hospital will be demolished. This will enable the construction of a new ambulance drop-off bay, the Urgent Care Centre. and further landscaped areas for patients and their families. 

As part of the master planning process a site options analysis was undertaken to determine the most appropriate location for the redevelopment.

An evaluation of the options determined that the existing hospital site was the most suitable location.

The new hospital is being built adjacent to the current hospital and will be raised up to maximise the views of the Darling River.

After extensive reviews, it was determined that a new hospital will be built to replace the current hospital, which is over 80 years old and no longer fit-for-purpose. The detailed site investigations undertaken have identified that the current hospital buildings have significant termite damage, and it is not feasible to reuse these existing buildings.

Once the new hospital is fully operational, the existing hospital will be demolished. This will enable the construction of a new ambulance drop-off bay, and further landscaped areas for patients and their families.

Engagement has been undertaken with staff and the local community regarding how the history of the current building can be recorded and reflected in the new hospital building.

The Wentworth Health Service will deliver high-quality, contemporary and accessible care. 

The redevelopment will support the services outlined in the Clinical Services Plan and there will be no decrease in current services, with the existing inpatient and ambulatory care services to continue to be provided.

The Wentworth Health Service Clinical Services Plan includes provisions for: 

• an Inpatient Unit
• Primary Ambulatory Care (Community Health Services)
• Urgent Care Centre.

The new Wentworth Health Service will feature an Urgent Care Centre which will be a dedicated space where people with non-life-threatening conditions can be seen and treated.  

The Urgent Care Centre will be equipped to allow clinicians to carry out some diagnostic testing, including blood tests, limited x-rays, minor treatment procedures and monitoring of patients.

These services give people the treatment they need quickly for an illness or injury that is not an emergency. Minor treatment procedures include minor cuts, sprains or suspected fractures, sports injuries, ​minor infections, ​minor burns, rashes, insect or animal bites, cough, cold or flu, mild asthma attacks, earaches, fevers or chills.

All community members presenting to the Urgent Care Centre will be triaged and community members requiring higher level care will be transported to a higher-level care facility (like Mildura). If an Ambulance is called by a community member, the paramedics will decide what level care is needed and either take them to Wentworth or Mildura accordingly.

Please note the Urgent Care Centre is not a GP Clinic.

Project User Groups (PUGs), including health service staff representatives, informed the design of physical spaces and made recommendations as to how they will work. Participation from user groups was important in the development of the design to ensure staff, patients and community representatives had input into the infrastructure.

Community consultation took place throughout planning and design, including the master plan, concept design, schematic design and statutory planning approvals.  Information sessions and workshops gave staff and the community an opportunity to be consulted throughout the various stages of the redevelopment. Stakeholder feedback was incorporated into the preferred design options to provide the optimal vision for the new hospital. 

Designing with Country has been an important element in the project and Aboriginal Focus Groups were held to contribute to the design, with an Aboriginal Advisory Group now established. We will continue to consult with this group and the local Aboriginal community as appropriate. 

Health Infrastructure encourages the use of local subcontractors and staff as appropriate and where available. There will be opportunities for local people to work on the project during construction and these will be advertised by the Main Works contractor after they have been appointed. 

Under the NSW Government’s Aboriginal Procurement Policy (APP), the building contractor will be required to create a minimum level of Aboriginal employment opportunity throughout the project delivery nominated as part of the tender process.

Construction is expected to be completed in 2025. Once the new hospital is fully operational, the existing hospital will be demolished. This will enable the construction of a new ambulance drop-off bay, and further landscaped areas for patients and their families.