Providing much-needed healthcare, housing, employment and commercial infrastructure, New Epping is transforming a dormant 51-hectare site into a thriving community which will form part of the largest medical hub in Melbourne’s north.

Anchoring New Epping’s health wellness and knowledge precinct, the Northern Private Hospital was awarded practical completion on August 23, two months ahead of schedule. It has now been delivered to operator Ramsay Health Care, which will manage the installation of hospital equipment and oversee the hiring and training of staff.

Co-located next to the existing public Northern Hospital, with a direct connection via a link bridge, the hospitals will be further supported by an additional 7-hectare health, wellness and knowledge precinct to provide allied health services and research facilities to the area. Signage for the link bridge is also complete, connecting the facilities via a short walk.

The first stage of the private hospital will provide 70 inpatient beds, including six beds in the critical care unit, 10 oncology chairs, four state-of-the-art operating theatres, a cardiac catheterisation laboratory and an innovative super-theatre featuring both a hybrid and general theatre for flexibility of use.

With a focus on sustainability, the hospital has been built with recycled materials and chilled beams for enhanced thermal comfort. It incorporates solar power, energy efficient lighting, and fixtures, fittings and appliances designed for water conservation and energy efficiency.

Riverlee development director David Lee says the completion of the hospital marked a major milestone in New Epping’s vision to deliver healthcare and wellness to Melbourne’s north.

“Healthcare is the largest employer in this rapidly growing city, which only adds to the importance of this project and our larger vision to create a thriving wellness hub. We are proud to have played a role in delivering infrastructure that has life-changing social and economic merit to this community,” he says.

The Northern Private Hospital welcomed its first patients in February, 2024.

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