Blacktown Brain and Spinal Institute: Dr Charlie Teo’s ‘dream’
A $1 billion world-first brain and spinal institute in Blacktown led by Dr Charlie Teo could be open in a few years.
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Renowned neurosurgeon Dr Charlie Teo has revealed his vision for a world-first brain and spinal institute in Blacktown, which could treat patients as early as 2023.
Plans for the $1 billion Blacktown Brain and Spinal Institute (BBSI), which would incorporate a private hospital and five-star medi-hotel in the centre of the city, were announced on Thursday.
The hospital is scheduled to be completed as early as 2023 and would have between 50-100 beds.
The revolutionary institute would be the possible home base of the acclaimed brain surgeon and would be dedicated to neuroscience and neurosurgery.
“It will deal with all diseases of the brain, mental illnesses, neurological and neurodegenerative disorders as well as structural abnormalities such as brain tumours,” Dr Teo said.
“It is going to be a centre of excellence not just for neurosurgery but for all neurological brain conditions.”
Dr Teo said the institute would be founded on the ideals of his “dream hospital” and would address what he called a “broken” hospital system.
“I’ve always had a vision, a dream of building a hospital that was totally patient-centric that put patient care as number one and was a dominant mantra of the hospital itself and the character of the hospital,” he said.
“Wouldn’t it be great if Blacktown was the hub and centre of excellence for the treatment of all brain disorders. My job is to make sure that vision is maintained.”
Dr Teo, who is the director of neurosurgery at the Prince of Wales Hospital in Randwick, hoped to base his operations at Blacktown.
He said the institute would specialise in cutting-edge, non-invasive treatments and making it affordable for everyone.
“We are offering a new technology designed by (American neurosurgeon) Mike Sughrue that can diagnose mental disorders tangibly and treat them non-invasively,” he said.
“It’s very early days now, but it’s going to be all apart of the BBSI.
“Wouldn’t it be great if I could work at a hospital where we’ve got such profit margins that we can allow me to operate on patients that can’t pay or can’t afford it.”
The hospital is set to transform the Blacktown CBD, with the current Blacktown Council administration building on Flushcombe Rd earmarked as the future site.
Blacktown Mayor Tony Bleasdale said the council was currently negotiating the sale of the site as plans progressed on the development of a new centre in the Warrick Lane precinct.
Speaking on Thursday, Mr Bleasdale said the institute would generate thousands of jobs.
“It will be a wonderful addition to our city and western Sydney, and we are so proud to be a part of that,” Mr Bleasdale said.
“This announcement fits beautifully with the work that is underway to transform Blacktown City.
“We are a city of talent and BBSI perfectly matches our key themes of opportunity and economic benefit to western Sydney residents through attracting innovation and investment.”