Canterbury-Bankstown mayor Bilal El-Hayek supports $1.3b plans for Bankstown Lidcombe hospital

The pain of losing his two-week-old daughter at Bankstown Hospital over 10 years ago is still fresh in the mind of Canterbury-Bankstown mayor Bilal El-Hayek. It’s why the push for a new hospital is close to his heart.

The Bankstown-Lidcombe Hospital in southwest Sydney could see a brand new hospital built across the road. Picture: Jeremy Piper

The pain of losing his two-week-old daughter at Bankstown Hospital more than 10 years ago is still fresh in the mind of Canterbury-Bankstown mayor Bilal El-Hayek, and he knows his story is one of hundreds.

It’s why the push for a new Bankstown-Lidcombe Hospital in the heart of the city centre that can cope with a rapidly expanding population is a cause close to his heart.

Mr El-Hayek has shared his deeply personal connection to the issue in the wake of the NSW Government announcing a $1.3b cash injection to build the Bankstown-Lidcombe Hospital on a new site.

The new health facility was first revealed in 2019 by the previous Liberal government for the rapidly growing Bankstown area, which is expecting a 21 per cent population increase to become home to nearly half a million people by 2036.

The hospital is set to be built on a new site to provide space for a range of integrated health services, including expanded emergency services.

Greenacre's Bilal El-Hayek celebrates Eid with his family Wife Mayson, children: Adam, front, Tasnim, Mustapha and Noah, 6 months, in his arms. Picture: Lawrence Machado

Mr El-Hayek recalled in October 2010, his wife was taken to Bankstown Hospital to give birth to his newborn daughter.

After a complicated birth, their daughter was transferred to Liverpool Hospital but she sadly died two weeks later despite the best efforts of hospital staff.

Greenacre's Bilal El-Hayek, grey suit holding up baby Noah, celebrates Eid with family. Picture: Lawrence Machado

“I remember the doctor described the baby’s heart was racing, it was like running a marathon and she was too tired to come out afterwards,” he said.

Whenever the anniversary of their daughter’s death comes around in October, Mr El-Hayek’s wife suffers from increased anxiety due to the memories of their loss.

“It’s tough, losing a child is the toughest thing that could happen,” Mr El-Hayek said.

“When God blessed us with twins, she said she didn’t want to have the twins at Bankstown so we went to Westmead,” he said.

It’s not the only loss Bilal El-Hayek has suffered at Bankstown Hospital, after he lost his father three years ago to heart complications.

“The staff who work at Bankstown Hospital, they work tirelessly and very hard with what they have,” he said.

Mr El-Hayek said a brand new health facility would “completely transform Bankstown”.

“Having a state-of-the-art hospital in your backyard is phenomenal … People can believe that they’re going to get the service they deserve and that will happen at the new hospital,” he said.

Western Sydney Leadership Dialogue CEO Adam Leto has supported the government’s $1.3b announcement as since the hospital opened in 1997, the ageing facility has struggled to meet demands.

The Bankstown-Lidcombe Hospital in southwest Sydney could see a brand new hospital built across the road. Picture: Jeremy Piper

“The area is crying out for modern healthcare services that will better meet the needs of the region’s fast-growing and diverse communities,” Mr Leto said.

Mr Leto said the Dialogue had campaigned for the hospital to be relocated and built in the heart of Bankstown’s CBD – linked to the nearby Western Sydney University campus and with a new metro rail service.

“This location would improve its connection to patients, carers and visitors, provide a diverse range of local career opportunities, increase research and education options and attract new investment,” he said.

When asked on where the new site for the Bankstown-Lidcombe Hospital will be built, a Health Infrastructure spokeswoman could not provide a clear answer.

“The NSW Government has committed $1.3 billion for the new Bankstown Hospital and will have more to say in due course,” the spokeswoman said. “Construction time frames will be confirmed as planning progresses.”