Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott, Federal Health Minister Peter Dutton and NSW Health Minister Jillian Skinner officially opened the Sydney Adventist Hospital (San) redevelopment on Friday, October 17.
Speaking to a gathering of more than 500 guests, the prime minister said it was a “deep honour” and a “privilege” to take part in the opening ceremony.
“This is a happy day for the people of northern Sydney and a proud day for everyone associated with the San,” said Mr Abbott. “I’m just so delighted to be here to bask in the glory of the doctors and nurses and all the other professional and other staff who make this hospital such a splendid success and make it such an important institution in the healthcare system of NSW and of Australia.”
The importance of the San to the community was echoed by Ms Skinner, who credited the hospital for providing “outstanding care to people across Sydney’s north shore, north west, Northern Beaches and Central Coast” for the past 111 years.
As part of the opening ceremony, the prime minister and other dignitaries were given a tour of the recently opened LW Clark Tower, named after Adventist HealthCare CEO Dr Leon Clark.
The 12-storey building, which serves as the centrepiece of the San redevelopment project, brings the hospital’s total bed-capacity up to 550. The new facility also features NSW’s most modern maternity unit, state-of-the-art birthing suites, and space for up to 24 operating theatres.
The tour concluded with a walk through the San’s new purpose-built healing garden. The outdoor courtyard area is designed to help patients of the hospital’s Integrated Cancer Centre, which is awaiting completion subject to further public donations.
The $A200 million San redevelopment has been built to cater for the estimated 50 per cent increase in demand for its healthcare services. By 2024, the hospital is expected to see more than 300,000 patients a year.
“This hospital is about providing the love of Christ in a practical way to people who need help,” said Mr Abbott. “I salute your work, and I know you will do it even better in the months and years ahead as a result of these new facilities we open today.”
—Leisa O’Connor/ Linden Chuang
