A new $835 million development is set to deliver a ground-breaking and integrated health zone for the Hunter region.

It comes as premier global construction company Multiplex was appointed this week to deliver the enabling works for the John Hunter Hospital Innovation Precinct (JHHIP), in partnership with Heath Infrastructure and Hunter New England Local Health District (HNELHD), at New Lambton.

The JHHIP, part of the NSW Government’s record $10.8 billion investment in health infrastructure to 2024, will see the existing John Hunter and John Hunter Children’s hospitals redeveloped to include a state-of-the-art seven-level Acute Services Building (ASB) along with refurbishment to parts of the existing premises.

The project is expected to significantly increase critical care capacity, with a 60% increase in Intensive Care Unit capacity and almost 50% more theatres.

The new Emergency Department will see treatment spaces for patients boosted by more than 50%, while there’ll be new spaces for women and children including paediatric and neonatal intensive care units, as well as two new inpatient units.

Multiplex’s regional managing director David Ghannoum said the world-class facilities at the John Hunter Hospital Innovation Precinct were designed to meet the growing needs of Newcastle, the greater Hunter and northern NSW.

“We’re delighted to expand our contribution to health services in the region, having recently celebrated the opening of the New Maitland Hospital,” he explained.

“We look forward to working with Health Infrastructure and HNELHD to help realise their sustainability goals and bring to life the design concepts developed as part of their community consultation.”

Multiplex will also deliver its 15th Connectivity Centre, a physical hub to bring together employment and support services and connect local job seekers with opportunities on the project and beyond.

“The Connectivity Centre is a proven model, which we successfully rolled out on the New Maitland Hospital,” Mr Ghannoum said.

“We are committed to having a positive impact in the community as part of our role here and creating opportunities for local participation wherever possible.”

Multiplex, who recently completed the $470 million New Maitland Hospital on time, will start enabling works for the project next month with expected completion in early 2026.

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