Blacktown Hospital children’s ward opens, part of $700 million expansion

Western Sydney families now have specialised children’s health services closer to home with Blacktown Hospital opening its new paediatric ward.

Western Sydney families now have access to emergency and specialised children’s health services closer to home with Blacktown Hospital opening its new paediatric ward as part of a $700 million expansion.

Health Minister Brad Hazzard officially opened the 12-bed paediatric ward, which also includes two negative pressure rooms to manage patients in isolation with respiratory illnesses including Covid-19.

Health Minister Brad Hazzard visiting the new paediatric ward at Blacktown Hospital.

Mr Hazzard said the new ward was equipped to manage an extensive range of paediatric conditions for babies through to 16-year-olds, including conditions such as gastroenteritis, asthma, bronchiolitis, cellulitis and croup, surgical fractures and general paediatric surgeries.

“This project has been more than 10 years in the making and the NSW Government has transformed this ambition into reality through our $700 million-plus expansion of Blacktown and Mt Druitt hospitals,” he said.

“The new paediatric ward has been designed with input from staff and patients’ families, creating a warm and welcoming environment with indoor and outdoor play areas and plenty of toys and activities to help children through their treatment and recovery.”

Health Minister Brad Hazzard said the new ward was designed with the input of staff and patients’ families.

Riverstone MP Kevin Conolly said the paediatric ward had been carefully designed to provide the best care possible for children and their families in western Sydney.

“The bright and colourful artwork will help put children at ease during what can be a stressful time and features familiar landmarks from the local area that will help them feel at home,” he said.

“Having already accepted its first patients last month, the ward will work in unison with existing paediatric services at Mt Druitt Hospital to enhance and expand paediatric care across the Blacktown local government area and western Sydney.”

Member for Riverstone Kevin Conolly said the new ward will provide the best possible care for western Sydney children and their families.

Seven Hills MP Mark Taylor said the specialised children’s health services was a huge boost for local families.

“Having these accessible, top quality medical services for children in the heart of western Sydney will make a big difference to local families trying to juggle day-to-day lives with the challenges of looking after unwell children,” he said.

Seven Hills state Liberal MP Mark Taylor pictured with NSW nurses.

The completed $700 million Blacktown and Mount Druitt hospital expansion also includes a new emergency department, women’s and newborn health services, intensive care unit, operating theatres, and psychiatric emergency care service.