Providing increased operating theatre and clinical services capacity to meet future demands

As outlined in the South Eastern Sydney Local Health District’s Clinical Services Plan and asset strategic plan. The NSW Government committed $81.5 million to redevelop The Sutherland Hospital Operating Theatre complex. An additional $7 million was committed to procure and enable the installation of an MRI Suite.

NBRS provided architectural services under the contractor during the delivery stage of the project, completing the design development and coordination process, construction documentation and administration. The project was completed and delivered in December 2023.

The project was delivered in 2 milestones and included:

• New operating theatres and procedure rooms to provide a total of 7 General Operating Theatres, 1 Hybrid Theatre and 2 Endoscopy Procedure Rooms
• Associated Prep, Scrub, Cleanup, Scope Processing and Sterile Stock Rooms
• New Surgical Short Stay Unit and Recovery zones
• New staff amenities and workspaces
• Facilities for admission and discharge
• New MRI Suite
• New Radius Unit
• New Central Sterilising Services Department including:
  - Clean and dirty lifts
  - Dirty Receipt and Decontamination
  - Pass-through Batch washing and Sterilizers
  - Administration/ Support areas
• New Plant Areas

The project was delivered in 2 milestones over 24 months in which Milestone 1 included a new build and expansion of level 2,3,4 and Milestone 2 included refurbishment works of level 3 within the existing hospital. The staging of the project was extremely important to ensure minimal impact on hospital operations, specifically a minimum of 5 Operating Theatres to be functional at all times during construction works.

The project committed to ESD target of a self-certified approach to achieve ‘Australian best practice’ level, which is equivalent to 45 points. The self-certification pathway is based on the agreed approach between Health Infrastructure and Department of Planning, Industry and Environment (DPIE) in demonstrating an equivalency against the Green Star rating system.

The materials and finishes were selected in response to integrate the new build with the existing hospital site and to meet infection control and durability requirements of the hospital setting. The perforated mesh screen on the stairwell incorporates aboriginal artwork celebrating the local cultural heritage.