Rouse Hill Hospital: Sydney health hub plans stalled for six years

Six years after the NSW Government promised a hospital would be built in Sydney’s northwest, land proposed hasn’t been bought and studies for the site have stalled.

Residents in The Hills are passing a six-year milestone following the 2015 announcement of the Rouse Hill Hospital.

But more than half a decade on — as well as two state election commitments — land for the $300 million Northwest Sydney hospital is yet to be purchased by NSW Health Infrastructure.

A Health Infrastructure spokesman told The Hills Shire Times that despite more than two years passing since the announcement of the site at the corner of Schofields and Windsor roads, Rouse Hill, a due diligence study was still yet to be completed.

Opposition Leader Jodi McKay said the stalled health facility’s fate was “unclear” as the government had failed to determine if the location at Windsor Rd is suitable for a hospital.

ROUSE HILL: Artist impression the new Rouse Hill Hospital which will be built opposite Rouse Hill town centre.

“The Liberal Government has failed to build Rouse Hill Hospital despite local health services being overwhelmed,” Ms McKay said. “Blacktown Hospital is ranked as the most stressed in NSW.

“I have visited the area a number of times and understand the frustration the community is feeling.”

Shadow Health spokesman Ryan Park said the state was “in the midst of a healthcare crisis”, meaning delays at Rouse Hill resulted in real world consequences.

“This six-year waiting game means residents in the northwest are left without a local hospital as their community continues to grow,” he said.

While Blacktown state Labor MP Stephen Bali said the government wasn’t delivering on promises in had made to northwest Sydney.

NDIS providers, Complete Compassionate Care director Yusuf Hussain and Integrity Disability Services chairman Zain Sheriff said they were surprised by the lack of health services in Sydney’s booming north west.

Blacktown MP Stephen Bali, Shadow Health spokesman Ryan Park, Opposition Leader Jodi McKay, Complete Compassionate Care director Yusuf Hussain and Integrity Disability Services chairman Zain Sheriff

“We cannot understand why the government are dragging their feet with these services, especially when this is a Liberal seat with an expanding population, Mr Hussain said. “More and more elderly residents are staying at home for longer, or downsizing into this community, but we don’t have the clinical services to support them.”

The Health Infrastructure spokesman said the NSW Government announced funds for land acquisition in the 2020-2021 budget.

The spokesman said a due diligence study, which was started two years ago, was yet to be completed.

“As part of the planning process, Western Sydney Local Health District is collaborating with Macquarie University to understand the clinical services needs and inform the future design and services that will be provided in the new Rouse Hill hospital,” he said.

“Construction time frames will be confirmed once site acquisition is finalised and planning is progressed, with work on the new Rouse Hill hospital commence in this term of Government.”

NDIS providers, Complete Compassionate Care director Yusuf Hussain and Integrity Disability Services chairman Zain Sheriff

EARLIER:

Health hasn’t confirmed hospital can be built at Rouse Hill site

By Jake McCallum, December 7, 2020

Five years after the Rouse Hill Hospital was first promised by the NSW Government, funding to finally purchase the site neighbouring the Sydney Metro Northwest line has been allocated in the budget.

However, A NSW Health Infrastructure spokesman has revealed due diligence reporting on the site hasn’t been completed, meaning the government don’t know if the site at Windsor Rd, Rouse Hill is suitable for a hospital.

Site of the new Rouse Hill Hospital which will be built opposite Rouse Hill town centre.

“As part of the planning process, Health Infrastructure is carrying out due diligence on the

announced site at 768 Windsor Road to inform the most appropriate long-term solution for the

future hospital,” a NSW Health Infrastructure spokesman said.

“The due diligence will confirm whether the hospital can be built on the site and if

the site acquisition should occur.”

NSW Opposition Leader, Jodi McKay, has hit out at the government over the lack of planning for the site, telling NewsLocal plans for the hospital’s construction were in desperate need of finalisation as thousands of new residents move into The Hills each month.

Artist impression the new Rouse Hill Hospital which will be built opposite Rouse Hill town centre.

“The hospital at Rouse Hill is a major issue that isn’t progressing in this community,” Ms McKay said. “The community in Sydney’s north west is so fast growing, we need the infrastructure in place to connect these communities to vital services.

“Growing issues at Blacktown Hospital are being compounded by the fact that there are so many people with a lack of services being provided in The Hills.”

Shadow Health spokesman Ryan Park said the ability to access local health services in Rouse Hill was “paramount”.

(L TO R) Emma Smith, Stephen Bali, Prue Car, Jodi McKay, Ryan Park and Ali Sheriff at the Rouse Hill Hospital site.

“This is a growing population that is desperately in need of proper health services and they are not getting it,” he said. “School reports are coming out this week and the government would get an A for announcing this project and an F for delivery.”

While Blacktown state Labor MP Stephen Bali said Transport for NSW was “objecting to the sale” of the land proposed for Rouse Hill Hospital, citing issues around accessibility to the site at the intersection of Schofields and Windsor roads.

“The department are arguing this is a difficult intersection that simply can’t service a hospital,” he said.

In August, NewsLocal revealed Health Infrastructure was yet to purchase the land from Transport for NSW, with funds allocated in the November budget to cover the sale.

“Health Infrastructure is also working with Transport for NSW to understand the impacts of future road upgrades proposed for the area to ensure appropriate access to the new hospital and for the residents of this fast-growing area of north western Sydney,” the spokesman told NewsLocal.

“As part of the planning process, Western Sydney Local Health District is collaborating with

Macquarie University to understand the clinical services needs to inform the future design and

services that will be provided in our next-gen hospital.

“Construction time frames will be confirmed once site acquisition and planning is progressed — work will commence in this term of Government.”

Ali Sheriff at the Rouse Hill site.

Beaumont Hills resident and NDIS services provider Ali Sheriff said fast-tracking the hospital would provide significant, high-level support to thousands of residents in need.

“The fact that a community this large has to travel for appropriate medical support is wrong,” Mr Sheriff said.

“Residents should need to travel for specialist services or health care.”