Diocese of Lismore proposes new private hospital opposite Lismore Base Hospital

The Diocese of Lismore has announced plans for a new private hospital opposite Lismore Base Hospital. Here’s what’s proposed and what will happen to the existing Dalley St facility.

The Uralba Street health precinct in Lismore, where a proposed new private hospital is set to be developed.

The Catholic Diocese has announced plans for an expansive new private hospital to be built opposite Lismore Base Hospital.

The proposed new hospital at the Uralba St health precinct would allow for wider private health services and a consolidation of existing services.

Diocese of Lismore business manager Greg Isaac said the plan for the regional city revealed on Tuesday would see the St Vincent’s legacy continue “long into the future”.

St Vincent’s hospital on Dalley St, East Lismore would remain in operation, but there’s plans to turn it into an “aged care centre of excellence”.

Diocese of Lismore business manager Greg Isaac.

“Since 1921 St Vincent’s Lismore has had a clear purpose to provide healthcare for the community in faith, hope and charity with compassion and respect,” Mr Isaac said.

“It is our unique history as a cornerstone of the community that has inspired us to think beyond the present day about how the growing and changing needs of our community will be best met for the next hundred years.

“What we know is that innovative developments, like the one we have announced, will attract additional highly skilled specialists and create more, not less opportunities for medical and health care professionals already working in the Northern Rivers region.”

The Diocese is forging ahead with the purchase of land.

A competitive process is set to be held to secure a specialist provider to operate acute health services once the new hospital opens.

St Vincent's current Lismore private hospital in Lismore.

It is not proposed that the Diocese develops or operates the new hospital.

The Diocese states its goal is to “invest more in best-in-class facilities and services at the existing hospital site in Dalley Street” to bolster aged care.

“In the aged care space we have a lot of experience in aged care so that’s something we’ll be working on for the existing site,” Mr Isaac said.

He said the new hospital’s “specialised delivery and operating mode” would help take “health and aged care in the Northern Rivers to a new level and deliver even higher quality, patient-centred care”.

The new private hospital is set to be built opposite Lismore Base Hospital.

“We’re at the beginning of an exciting journey and look forward to our patients, staff, volunteers, health care professionals and communities joining us to achieve the best outcome for all,” he said.

“It’s great for the Northern Rivers. It’ll provide employment and health care opportunities – It’ll be second to none in a regional area.”

Mr Isaac said the project was not externally funded and the Diocese decided to “do this on our own”, but has been looping in Northern NSW Local Health District.

St Vincent’s current hospital on Dalley St, Lismore arose from a convent.

The announcement of a new private hospital comes after the public Lismore Base Hospital on Uralba St has received significant upgrades since 2013, with more than $310 million pumped into improving care.

Mr Isaac said the relationship between the two hospitals was positive and they often collaborated and assisted each other.

Tracey Maisey, Chief Executive Northern NSW Local Health District confirmed the positive relationship between the two hospitals.

“We are particularly thankful for the continued support that St Vincent’s Hospital has provided to our shared priority of reducing surgical waiting lists for residents in the region.

She said there is an agreement to undertake joint health service planning to ensure the new proposed services are complementary to existing services, and take into account the healthcare needs of the local community.

“We welcome the intention to establish a centre of excellence for Aged Care, given the growing aged population and the reduction in aged care beds in the district due to the 2022 flood events.”

St Vincent’s current Lismore hospital came to be back in 1931. A convent was built on the grounds in 1923 and a two-storey brick structure now named Ryan Wing was opened as the hospital.