This month, we take an in-depth look at the new palliative care unit that will be built on the top floor of the Stage 2 building. We also update you on the latest construction progress for the new Stage 2 building, Barber Avenue, and the new Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services Unit.

End of Life and Palliative Care project manager at Nepean Hospital, Linda Ora

Nepean Hospital is set to welcome a dedicated palliative care unit, the first specialist facility of its kind in the area.

The new palliative care unit will be located on the top floor (Level 7) of the new Stage 2 building, which is currently under construction.  

We spoke to the End of Life and Palliative Care project manager at Nepean Hospital, Linda Ora, to find out more about the design and features of the new palliative care unit. 

Stage 2

The new Stage 2 building is taking shape with concrete structural works reaching to Level 3.

Concrete has also been poured for the foundations of a large outdoor courtyard on Level 1 of the new building.

The jumpform (pictured) is at the core of the new building and assists in the construction of the floors below. Civil works for a new waste management area for campus have also started.

The site of the new Stage 2 building

Level 3 of the new Stage 2 building

The temporary coffee cart and station on Level 2 of Building A have closed to progress construction of the Stage 2 building. This coffee cart has since been relocated to the front of Building E.

An alternative café for staff, visitors and patients is the Laneway Café in Building D near the cashier and the volunteer’s shop.

Barber Avenue

The new Stage 2 building which includes a main entry, reception area and undercover drop-off zone will be accessed from Barber Ave and works are underway to upgrade the road.

Barber Ave roadworks will continue for several more months, so please continue to pay close attention to traffic signs and allow extra time to get to your private and public hospital appointments.

Dharug language educator Erin Wilkins

Example of Dharug language signage at Nepean Hospital

The Nepean Redevelopment has teamed up with Dharug custodians and language educators, Erin Wilkins (pictured) and Rhiannon Wright, at Nepean Hospital to create Dharug language signage to help improve access, wayfinding and create a culturally welcoming place.

The signs, which are being installed across the hospital campus at entry points to patient services, feature Dharug language and artwork with English explanations.

The signs also feature artwork from Dharug Elder, Leanne Watson.

Erin and Rhiannon have recorded the pronunciation of the signs so people can read the words, understand their meaning and know how to pronounce.

The signs assist with wayfinding and hospital access, and help make the hospital more culturally inclusive and welcoming to Aboriginal patients and families. 

Kalyani at Level 2 of the new Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services Unit

Kalyani Kadam is an Assistant Project Officer on the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services Unit project.

What do you do at Nepean redevelopment?

I assist my team in making sure construction project activities are progressing along smoothly, specifically anything to do with the procurement and installation of FFE (Furniture, fixtures, and equipment) and arts within the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services Unit. I will also be helping out with commissioning of the building as we get close to that stage!

What are you most looking forward to this year at Nepean?

I'm really excited to see the building as it progresses to handover!

Being able to see everyone's hard work and team effort translate to a fully functional building is pretty special and I'm grateful I get to be part of such an impactful project that supports mental health care for young people in NSW. 

Construction is underway on a new purpose-built Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) Unit at Nepean Hospital.

Designed for young people aged between 12-17, the CAMHS Unit will include 10 bedrooms, a private outdoor courtyard, consultation rooms, and a sensory room.

Works are progressing with the roof of the new unit now complete. External brickwork is well underway and internal wall frames and partitions are also continuing.

For more information about the project:
E    hi-nepeanredevelopment@health.nsw.gov.au
W   nepeanredevelopment.health.nsw.gov.au