Neringah Hospital Wahroonga in line for major expansion, new seniors living units

A private hospital on Sydney’s upper north shore is in line for a multimillion expansion in a move designed to address the ageing state of the facility and the region’s population boom.

A private hospital on Sydney’s upper north shore is in line for a multimillion expansion in a move designed to address the ageing state of the facility and the region’s population boom.

HammondCare has announced Neringah Hospital in Wahroonga will be expanded with new hospital facilities, new seniors living units and an expanded residential care facility as part of plans released this week.

The proposal includes new inpatient and community based palliative care services, GP and outpatient clinics, specialist palliative care clinics, a ‘Centre for Positive Ageing’ and home community care facilities.

There will also be 12 new residential aged care beds and 57 seniors living units catering for people aged over 75 with chronic health needs. The development will stand up to five storeys tall along Neringah Ave South.

HammondCare said the development would provide upgraded facilities to the 1960s hospital and create a “a contemporary, integrated health campus providing palliative care, aged care and seniors living accommodation”.

A concept plan of development

The current hospital dates back to the 1960s.

HammondCare’s general manager of health and palliative care Dr Andrew Montague said it would also meet the growing needs of an ageing population in Sydney’s north.

“This integrated health campus will offer best practice palliative care, in both inpatient and community settings, as well as offering aged care services based on HammondCare’s relationship-based model of care,” he said.

A site plan of the project.

Other features of the proposal include 100 basement carparking spaces, landscaping and public domain works, and pedestrian links.

The heritage-listed Woonona Cottage on Woonona Ave will not be impacted by the project.

The development comes as population projections for the Northern Sydney Local Health District show the number of residents aged 80 or above is set to more than double by 2036.

HammondCare said the ageing population will present increased need for facilities to support people with chronic disease and prolonged illnesses.

Detailed plans for the project – which is classified as a state significant development – are expected to be lodged later this year

Community information sessions to discuss the development will be held from next week.