The new Griffith Base Hospital reception area. Photo: Supplied.
The new $250 million Griffith Base Hospital will open its doors to patients, staff and visitors from Thursday, 26 June.
Promised to the town in 2017 after a string of community protests about the declining state of health care, the facility has been built over the past three years. It will include a new day surgery unit, an expanded medical imaging department, more inpatient beds and mobile cardiac monitoring units.
All health services on the campus, except dental, will move into the new hospital building. This includes all services in the existing hospital, Ambulatory Care Hub and the Renal Unit.
“For the first time, all major health services will be located under one roof in the new Griffith Hospital,” NSW Health Minister Ryan Park said.
“This brings together services that were previously spread across nine different buildings on campus. It features single and double inpatient rooms with ensuites and natural light streaming in the large windows.
”For outpatients, they’ll find improved accessibility with all clinics and services like renal dialysis, cancer services, Hospital in the Home co-located on the ground floor.”
When the new hospital opens, the public will continue to use the existing main entry to access the new facility for now.
In the days before the opening, there will be temporary changes to hospital services while departments relocate. Staff will be available to assist people at the hospital’s main entry.
Transition information
- The 24-hour Emergency Department (ED) will remain open in the existing hospital until 7:30 am on Wednesday, 25 June, when the new ED will begin operations. To assist staff at this busy time, people with non-urgent and non-life-threatening health issues are requested to see a GP or call Health Direct
- From 7:30 am on 25 June, signage inside the hospital’s main entry will direct the public to the ED’s new location
- Visitation to inpatients is limited on 24 and 25 June as staff move equipment and patients into the new facility. Patients and families will be kept informed
- Outpatient services, including medical imaging, will be limited on 24 and 25 June while staff complete the move. Most outpatient services resume in the new building from 26 June. Any patients with an affected appointment will be contacted ahead of these dates to advise of any changes
- NSW Pathology’s last outpatient collection at the old hospital is at 5 pm on 24 June. The service will reopen on the ground floor of the new hospital from 7:30 am on Monday, 30 June.
Car parking will remain the same, with a drop-off/pick-up zone and several new accessible options at the front of the hospital.
Ambulance and emergency service vehicle entry to the hospital will change from Noorebar Avenue to Warrambool Street.
The following health services remain the same:
- Community Health will remain in the same location in Yambil St and relocate to the campus in late 2025.
- The Transitional Aged Care Program and Aged Care Assessment Services will remain in the same temporary location in Kokoora St and relocate to the campus in 2026.
- Community Mental Health Drug and Alcohol services will continue to operate from their current permanent location in Yambil St.
Once the new hospital opens, work will focus on the removal of redundant buildings, construction of the new main entry forecourt and parking, refurbishment of the Ambulatory Care Hub and extensive landscaping.
Murray MP Helen Dalton said: “It is essential that health in rural and remote NSW is not neglected and people in the bush receive the same level of care as their city cousins.
”Many communities are currently begging for quality health services and this is a big step in the right direction.”
For more information, visit the Griffith Base Hospital website.
