Nepean Health Hub on track to generate $120m for local economy
A new state-of-the-art health facility took a big step towards improving the lives of western Sydney residents this week.
Penrith
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The new $50 million Nepean Health Hub took a substantial step towards reality on Friday morning as the first sod was turned on the building site on Parker St.
Director of Cornerstone Building Developments, Simon Heazlewood, and Penrith councillor Brian Cartwright turned the sod on Friday marking the start of construction.
About 60 jobs will be generated on site each day during construction, and a further 120 full-time jobs will be created in the health sector once the hub is complete.
Mr Heazlewood said the project would generate $120 million for the local economy during the construction phase.
“This is exciting news for the region because it will be an amazing opportunity for collaboration between clinicians to be created within a state-of-art facility to enable superior patient healthcare outcomes,” he said.
“We’re seeing the State Government invest significant money into this precinct and we are confident the Nepean Health Hub is going to complement that investment perfectly.”
The General Practice and Pharmacy operator, Octa Medical owner Mena Abdel Messih, said he was thrilled to take up the opportunity to be a part of this groundbreaking project.
“Our philosophy is all about seeing the patient as a person not a number and using an integrated approach to tailor health programs for the individual,” he said.
“We expect to enlist 10 GPs who will have easy access to pathology, dentistry, pharmacy as well as podiatry, dietitian, diabetes education and psychology.
“It’s phenomenal to be co-located to the hospital to ensure a close collaboration with the medical professionals and students which will allow a great connection for the community.”
In the long-term, Octa Medical is hoping to establish an after-hours service and employ nurse practitioners.
“In previous practices, we have put a strong emphasis on teaching medical students and we anticipate this will be the same at the Nepean Health Hub,” Mr Abdel Messih said.
“We are hoping to build on the strong foundations we have created over the years and produce a new standard for Penrith.”
Construction is expected to be completed mid-2021.