The redevelopment of Cessnock Hospital in New South Wales (NSW), Australia, proceeds with its Review of Environmental Factors (REF) to be put up for public exhibition. 

The local community has been invited to provide feedback on the redevelopment of the hospital.  

The REF and related documents will be available on the Health Infrastructure website starting at 9am local time on 20 January. The community can give feedback until midnight on 17 February. 

Construction of the main works is expected to start later this year, after securing planning approval and the appointment of a building contractor. 

The NSW Government is investing A$138m ($84.7m) in the redevelopment of the Cessnock Hospital.  

The redevelopment project is expected to greatly improve healthcare services in the region and address the growing population's healthcare needs. 

It will provide a new two-storey acute services building at the hospital campus. 

The REF and hospital designs have been shaped by extensive consultations with staff, stakeholders, and the community, which includes the community information sessions held in October 2024, regarding the schematic design of the new acute services building. 

Among the important features of the redevelopment include an expanded emergency department and two inpatient wards with single and two-bed rooms, each equipped with ensuite bathrooms, as well as a new medical imaging service and day surgery facilities. 

In the 2024-2025 NSW Budget, an additional A$26.5m was allocated to the Cessnock Hospital Redevelopment, raising the total investment to A$138m.  

This funding will support the development of additional facilities, including an operating theatre, a procedure room, a central sterilising services department (CSSD), and a modern pharmacy.