An artist’s impression of the new hospital building. It will replace “ageing infrastructure”. Images: Calvary Health Care.
Calvary John James Hospital in Deakin will undergo a $500 million redevelopment anchored by a state-of-the-art, multidisciplinary surgical hospital with two more theatres but fewer beds.
Calvary Health Care says it will partner with Barwon Investment Partners, the owner of the John James campus, to deliver a contemporary new private hospital as the centrepiece of a modern healthcare precinct and innovation hub.
Barwon paid the John James Foundation more than $100 million for the land and buildings. Calvary John James is Canberra’s biggest private hospital, offering general medical, maternity, rehabilitation, and day and overnight surgery services.
At present, Calvary John James has 130 hospital beds, but under the plans, that will fall to 98, providing for maternity, the special care nursery and adult intensive care.
But Calvary says not all 130 are being used, and the proposed configuration is in direct response to the shift in modern healthcare delivery, including more day surgery rather than overnight stays, and forecast demand.
The new building will include 10 cutting-edge operating theatres with endoscopy facilities, 10 pre-operative holding bays, stage one/two/three recovery bays (beds and chairs), a Central Sterilising Services Department, access to a privately tenanted on-site radiology unit and a rehabilitation gymnasium.
The proponents say the hospital redevelopment will ensure Calvary John James Hospital continues to support staff in providing quality surgical and medical services, as well as maintaining delivery of the only private maternity unit and only purpose-built private rehabilitation unit in Canberra.
Construction of the new hospital is expected to start in the first half of 2026, subject to approvals.
Calvary Health Care national CEO Martin Bowles said the proposed development would replace ageing infrastructure with state-of-the-art facilities that support modern models of healthcare.
“We are excited to partner with Barwon Investment Partners to bring to life a private hospital that will meet the health needs of the growing community and provide an environment where our visiting medical officers, nurses, allied health professionals, and support staff can thrive,” he said.
Barwon also plans a new childcare facility, with a proposal to redevelop the existing Beaver Galleries site next to the hospital.
The 98-place childcare centre will be operated by Insight Early Learning, which runs 11 centres across five states. Construction is expected to commence this year.
Barwon has developed a master plan for the campus that looks to create an integrated health precinct that can host life sciences, clinical trials, education and training, research facilities, specialist services and other healthcare-related activities.
Barwon’s head of healthcare property Tom Patrick said the project would be a transformative investment in the ACT’s healthcare landscape.
“We have completely reimagined the blueprint for the entire site to deliver critical infrastructure that improves access to essential services and fosters innovation, collaboration and growth,” he said.
“This precinct will truly set a benchmark for healthcare precincts across Australia.”
A development application has been submitted and is pending approval. Construction is expected to commence in the first half of 2026 and will take about two years to complete.
Services will continue to operate during this period.
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