Australia’s New South Wales (NSW) Government has revealed the façade of the new A$835m ($554.02m) acute services building at John Hunter Health and Innovation Precinct.

The John Hunter Hospital redevelopment will expand healthcare capacity for Newcastle, the Hunter region and northern NSW.

The new acute services building will offer an emergency department designed for more than 95,000 annual presentations. It will also include nine interventional suites and 22 operating theatres to address growing surgical service demand.

Additionally, the facility will feature inpatient maternity, birthing suites, special care units, a rooftop helipad, and a neonatal ICU. Over 900 additional car parking spaces will be provided for staff, visitors, and patients.

The redevelopment will increase operating theatres by nearly 50% and intensive care unit (ICU) capacity by 60%.

With the building’s façade, which features green and cream shades, now complete, work continues on the landscaping and interior fitout.

The acute services building will include four link bridges connecting the hospital with the Hunter Medical Research Institute, enabling direct links between clinical research and care.

Two elevated gardens, totalling more than 2,600m², will provide outdoor spaces for staff, visitors, and patients.

Artist impressions of the interior show modern single and two-bed inpatient rooms and the new elevated gardens.

Construction is scheduled for completion in 2026, followed by an operational commissioning period to prepare the building and staff for patient care.

NSW health minister Ryan Park said: “More hospitals and more beds mean more people can access the care they need, when they need it, and closer to home.

“The enhanced services at John Hunter Hospital will ensure the community has access to world class care now and into the future.”