Health Infrastructure

HCCA plays an important role in shaping health infrastructure projects across the ACT by facilitating consumer input and advocating for the needs of consumers in planning and designing health care facilities.

In 2023, the ACT government established the Health Infrastructure Consumer Reference Group (HICRG), which is co-chaired by HCCA. This group is made up of community members who have experience using ACT health infrastructure. It was created to provide expert consumer advice on health infrastructure projects across the ACT. The HICRG focuses on making sure these facilities focus on accessibility, safety and inclusion, ensuring that health facilities meet the diverse needs of the community.

Our work in health infrastructure goes back to 2008 and has led to improvements such as the inclusion of carer zones, dimmable lighting and accessible amenities in patient rooms.

From 2019 – 2024 HCCA provided consumer input into the Canberra Hospital Expansion Project, which resulted in a new main reception and critical services building, forming the new hub of the Canberra Hospital campus.

Our next major work in infrastructure will be the new Northside Hospital Project, which will replace the existing North Canberra Hospital. The new Northside Hospital will be a state-of-the-art facility designed to reflect patient and family-centred care. It will feature new hospital amenities and inpatient services, a new Emergency Department with improved access and spaces for medical practice, teaching, training and research. The project aims to enhance on campus parking and public transport connections to help ease traffic. The project is currently in the plan and design phase. We will be working with Infrastructure Canberra to help guide them on creating a space that meets community needs.

HCCA remains committed to advocating for spaces that are consumer focused. While there is still plenty of work to be done in the space, we look forward to continuing our partnership with the ACT Government to advocate for spaces that fit consumer needs.

Other recent projects HCCA has provided input into:

• CHS Community Health Centre Upgrades
• CHS Acute Palliative Care Unit
• CHS Pathology Expansion
• CHS Obstetrics Expansion
• The Canberra Hospital campus – wayfinding improvements
• The Canberra Hospital campus – western loop bus entrance and bus stop improvements across campus