Health Minister Rachel Stephen-Smith opened the Yamba Drive entrance, the last stage of the Canberra Hospital Redevelopment, with community members. Photo: Supplied.
Canberra Hospital has finished the last part of its $660 million redevelopment with the completion of the Yamba Drive entrance.
The major redevelopment, which has been in the works for six years, has seen the hospital completely redesign its critical services building, upgrade its infrastructure, and expand public spaces.
The Yamba Drive entrance may be a small addition compared to the state-of-the-art Emergency Department adjacent to it, but for the hospital, it is an important one.
The entrance redevelopment that includes a new bus stop allows Canberrans to more easily arrive at and navigate the hospital by public transport, as well as access several new facilities installed as part of the wider upgrades.
Health Minister Rachel Stephen-Smith said that these developments will bring about significant changes to how the public interacts with the hospital.
“These new spaces are much more than a facelift. They support respect, dignity, and well-being for all members of our community while delivering high standards of amenity and care,” she said.
The Yamba Drive entrance provides improved public transport options and accessibility for Canberrans. Photo: Supplied.
The new redevelopment features an ample courtyard space, a dedicated bus stop, and improved accessibility to amenities. It also features green spaces and public art installations.
New facilities opened in recent months include the hospitals’ Veterans and Indigenous lounges.
The Veterans Lounge will have prime placement in the hospital, built immediately adjacent to the entrance, so that ex-military personnel and their families can more easily access the space.
The Veterans Lounge at Canberra Hospital is one of several spaces that will benefit from the new entrance. Photo: Nicholas Ward.
While Yamba Drive marks the end of the six-year $660 million redevelopment, it does not mean the end of construction at the hospital, with several major upgrades continuing.
Ms Stephen-Smith thanked the community for its patience as the city continues its efforts to reshape the Canberra health system.
“The community and visitors may notice construction still occurring on other parts of the campus. This relates to the broader delivery of the Canberra Hospital Master Plan.”
Visitors interested in arriving at Canberra Hospital’s Yamba Drive entrance can find more details on navigating the hospital here. Bus timetables can be found at Transport Canberra.
