Nepean Hospital’s Decant Strategy
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Last updated February 2023

The Nepean Redevelopment project team is working on a decant and repurposing strategy to relocate staff and services to prepare the campus for Stage 2 of the redevelopment and the construction of a dedicated Child and Adolescent Mental Health facility.

The project team is working closely with the departments that are relocating to ensure a smooth transition to their new locations.

To minimise confusion, please discuss any concerns or questions you have with your relocation champion. While your relocation champion may not have all the answers right away, they are best placed to provide the most up-to-date information because they are regularly liaising with redevelopment team. They can also escalate your concerns if required.

To find out more, scroll down.

Useful information:

Introduction to Nepean Hospital's Decant Strategy

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hospital’s decant strategy?

The decant and repurposing strategy is required to prepare Nepean Hospital campus for Stage 2 of the redevelopment and the construction of a dedicated Child and Adolescent Mental Health facility.

The strategy outlines which services and departments are affected by the redevelopment, where they can be suitably relocated and what areas of the newly vacated spaces can be repurposed.

How do we know who is moving and where they are moving to?

The Nepean Redevelopment project team has worked with the NBMLHD and Nepean Hospital executive teams to assess all department requests and requirements to move based on a strict set of criteria.

As further decisions are made, staff will be informed via the In the Know newsletter and intranet. Direct communication will also come from your managers and relocation champions via the Nepean Redevelopment decant team.

What criteria was used to make decisions about who is moving?

The following criteria informed decisions about which departments would be prioritised to move:

A department or team that is going to be displaced by construction on campus
A department or team that provides a patient service, and it is essential for that service to be on the Nepean Hospital campus
The best option for patient, visitor and staff safety and security
Alignment with the campus masterplan.

Who is making the decisions about the decanted space?

The final decision about which departments are moving, where they are moving to and when they can move, is being made by the NBMLHD and Nepean Hospital executive teams in close consultation with the Nepean Redevelopment project team.

Unfortunately, not all requests for larger and different locations can be accommodated in the short to mid-term. However, the masterplan for Nepean Hospital campus will future-proof our growth and, ultimately all services required to be on campus will be established in a suitable space.

How do I know I have the right information about the decant and relocation strategy?

For the latest information about the decant and relocation strategy, please refer to our dedicated webpage, which is being regularly updated. You can also discuss any concerns or questions you have with your relocation champion.

While the relocation champions may not have all the answers right away, they are best placed to provide the most up-to-date information. Our team is also here to support you and escalate any urgent issues if needed.

Was preference given to departments or teams who applied first?

No. Preference was given to the departments who are being displaced by construction on campus, and as per the criteria listed in question 3.

If my department is on the decant schedule, will we be consulted?

The decant team is committed to consulting with all the teams and departments who are moving. Please check with your decanting and repurposing champion, as we may have already consulted with representatives from your team. Your decanting and repurposing champion is best placed to provide the most up-to-date information because they are regularly liaising with redevelopment team. They can also escalate your concerns if required.

What if my department is not included in the decant schedule?

If your team or department is not listed it means you have not been identified as a priority to move this year. Unfortunately, not everyone’s request to move or expand can be accommodated right now. We understand that working on campus will be challenging at times until Stage 2 construction is complete. Following Stage 2 completion, there will be an opportunity to review requirements again for potential moves or expansion.

If there is area on campus that has been vacated and not listed as being used in the schedule, can my team move into it?

No. We have done a comprehensive assessment of all suitable work and clinical spaces on campus and have allocated them accordingly.

If there is a vacated space that is unused or unallocated, that is because it is either part of demolition or refurbishment works for Stage 2 or is simply no longer suitable for occupation. Please do not relocate your team into vacated spaces without prior approval from the Nepean Redevelopment as per the Memo from the Director of Hospital Services, Brett Williams.

Even though my team isn’t in Building A, can we use the new workspaces in the building?

Yes, workspace accommodation areas in the new tower (Building A) will be accessible to any staff member working for the Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District. Additional workspace accommodation areas will also become available when Stage 2 is complete. Clear guidelines are being established so staff know what is required of them to use these workspaces. This includes bookings and cancellations for desks and meeting rooms, knowing which areas are walk-in workspaces, what the occupation timeframes are and requirements for cleaning before and after use. Some clinical support workspaces have been allocated for specific department staff on their floor. For example, workspace accommodation on the Emergency Department floor will be managed by that department. This also applies for the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and Women’s Health Services.

When will the decanting commence?

The decanting process is well underway and will continue for several months as demolition works get underway to progress Stage 2 and the new Child & Adolescent Mental Health Facility. It’s important to note that moving into the vacated areas might not happen immediately because some spaces need to be updated or reconfigured slightly before use. Every department and team will be given plenty of notice before they move to ensure a smooth transition and to minimise disruptions.

Who do I speak to if I have more questions?

To minimise confusion, please discuss any concerns or questions you have with your decanting and repurposing champion. While your department's dedicated champion may not have all the answers right away, they are best placed to provide the most up-to-date information because they are regularly liaising with redevelopment team. They can also escalate your concerns if required. Thank you for your patience and support as we progress this important and complex redevelopment.

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