Plans unveiled for $750 million upgrade of Royal Prince Alfred Hospital

Plans have been unveiled for the $750 million redevelopment of the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, with a new building and revamped emergency department part of the upgrade for the heritage-listed facility.

The new design, which remains subject to planning approval, includes additional intensive care units, operating theatres and maternity services, as well as improved public spaces.

An artist’s impression of the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital redevelopment.

“This is the most significant investment in RPA’s 140-year history and will support excellent health care for the 700,000 people who live in Sydney Local Health District and the more than 1 million people who visit it for work, study or to see loved ones,” NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet said.

A government spokesperson said construction was expected to begin “in the coming months” if the plans – to be lodged as a state significant development application – were approved.

The redevelopment was announced by the Berejiklian government in 2019, three years after Sydney Local Health District warned the hospital would be unable to meet an expected demand for about 200 extra ward beds by 2027.

RPA, in Camperdown, has Sydney’s second-busiest emergency department, after Liverpool’s. Data from the Bureau of Health Information showed there were 19,600 presentations to RPA’s emergency department in the January to March quarter. In the same period, 17,815 patients were admitted at the hospital, making it the third-busiest in the city behind Liverpool and Westmead.

The redevelopment will include the construction of a new tower building, next to the University of Sydney’s playing fields.

Under the plans, the hospital’s emergency department will be expanded but remain within its heritage-listed building.

The new design was developed following a competition and incorporates elements of designs presented by architectural firms Bates Smart and Neeson Murcutt + Neille.

Since late 2021, the local health district has held more than 100 focus groups with hospital staff and other stakeholders to gather ideas for the redevelopment, covering topics ranging from room orientation to the hospital’s patient alarm system.

A small survey of about 350 staff, patients and carers found more than two-thirds wanted improved seating and waiting areas and about four in five wanted additional shaded outdoor green space areas to be incorporated into the inner-city hospital’s redesign.

“Health Infrastructure has consulted extensively with clinicians, staff, patients, consumers and the local community, to ensure the redevelopment meets the healthcare needs of the rapidly growing area both now and in the future,” NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard said.

The two winning firms will work with the project’s lead architect, Jacobs, on the redevelopment.

“This major redevelopment of RPA is part of the Liberal and National government’s record $11.9 billion investment in health infrastructure over four years right across NSW, ensuring everyone receives the very best healthcare possible,” Perrottet said.

Earlier this week, the University of Sydney announced plans to build a new biomedical facility next to the hospital, as part of its 10-year strategic plan.

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