With the new Critical Services Building open, the ACT Government has turned its attention to the other side of the Canberra Hospital campus where the old Emergency Department was located.
Working has started on revamping the Yamba Drive entrance and the Building 2 foyer into a more welcoming and accessible space.
Improvements will include a new bus stop to improve connections with public transport, new seating and a dedicated wheelchair collection point.
New landscaping and green space will beautify the space, while new art and sculptures will also be installed.
Shade cover will protect people from the elements and make the area more comfortable to be in, and there will also be an upgraded courtyard for staff.
As part of the modernisation, the Building 2 foyer is also being updated to renew the public amenities in this space, including new flooring and seating areas, a new Veterans Lounge, a new Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Lounge, a gift shop and a cafe.
The works will take about 12 months to complete.
The hospital is encouraging patients and visitors to use the southern multistorey carpark and to access the hospital through the new Main Entrance and Emergency Department via the southern end of Hospital Road, off Bateson Road.
A temporary pedestrian entrance will be available from Yamba Drive for those who need to access the hospital from the car parks or bus stops on that side of the campus.
This project is one of many happening across the Canberra Hospital campus. Other infrastructure upgrades underway or in the detailed design stage include the new Cancer Research Centre, Cancer Wellbeing Centre, palliative care ward and endoscopy suites.
Health Minister Rachel Stephen-Smith said these new works were a continuation of the Canberra Hospital modernisation program.
“The landscaping and building works respond to consumer feedback with better public transport connections and a more inviting space for patients and visitors,” she said.