Health Minister Brad Hazzard said under the proposal, which has been welcomed by Local MP Victor Dominello, the new site would add no cost to the project.
“The NSW Government announced close to half a billion dollars to redevelop Ryde Hospital on its existing site but this idea certainly elevates our plans for the delivery of 21st century cutting edge healthcare for patients,” Mr Hazzard said.
“Co-locating the hospital with a world-class university to create a health and education hub, would bring new opportunites for research in addition to training and education.
“The current hospital is more than 80 years old but should the NSW Government accept the proposal, the new hospital and the former hospital site would remain in public hands.”
The proposed site for the hospital is only six kilometres from its current location, and the existing hospital buildings would be kept for health and wellbeing services.
Member for Ryde Victor Dominello said building a new public hospital on the Macquarie University campus could provide additional benefits to locals, including improved road, rail and bus transport access.
“This is an exciting proposal with a number of potential community benefits, including ensuring patients would continue to receive healthcare at the current Ryde Hospital, without the interruptions caused by construction, right up until the new hospital commenced operation,” Mr Dominello said.
“The area is expected to welcome an extra 30,000 residents over the next decade, while the student population will grow to beyond 50,000, making it the third largest concentration of jobs and students in NSW. Any proposal that future-proofs and caters for this growth is welcomed.
“I look forward to the public consultation and receiving feedback from the community before a formal decision is made.”
Vice-Chancellor and President of Macquarie University, Professor Bruce Dowton, said: “Co-location is key to the evolving future of healthcare systems and Macquarie looks forward to exploring these options with Northern Sydney Local Health District.”
Preserving Ryde Hospital’s current location: ‘Denistone House’
Currently, Ryde Hospital is located at Denistone Rd, Denistone.
Denistone House was owned originally by Dr Thomas Forster and rebuilt by Richard Terry.
It was acquired by the government after the death of Mr Terry in 1898 and used as a convalescent home.
It became Ryde District Soldiers Memorial Hospital in 1934 and its name was officially changed to Ryde Hospital in March 1975.
Ryde Hospital is a district general hospital (C1) which provides both inpatient, outpatient and community services to Ryde. Patients can access emergency care, intensive care, specialty rehabilitation services and a variety of outpatient services.
Other services provided at Ryde Hospital include general medical, elective and emergency surgery, midwifery care, orthopaedics and aged care.
Community health services available include drug and alcohol and mental health.
The purpose-built Graythwaite Rehabilitation Centre on the hospital campus has been designed to meet the general inpatient medical rehabilitation needs of patients in the community as well as providing
specialist burns services.
The hospital has strong linkages with Hornsby and Royal North Shore Hospital clinical services, and Northern Sydney Local Health District networks.
Ryde Hospital, together with Royal North Shore Hospital, covers the local government areas of Ryde, Hunters Hill, Lane Cove, Mosman, North Sydney and Willoughby
Proposed Location
Under the proposed location at Macquarie University, the hospital would be situated close to public transport hubs. There are good accessible linkages with the Metro train and bus network.
Being located at Macquarie University would also allow for increased parking and be close to a major retail precinct.
It is also located close to the M2 interchange allowing for better road access for those travelling from the north and north west of Sydney.
Future use of current Ryde Hospital site
Ryde Hospital has a long-standing presence as a health facility in its current location and is held in great affection with the local community.
NSW Health has confirmed The site would remain in public ownership and be retained to continue to provide the community with health and wellbeing services.
Part of the proposal will give strong consideration to the use of the current Ryde Hospital site including the Graythwaite Rehabilitation Centre, the protection of the heritage buildings and legal and contractual
obligations.
