“Once-in-a-generation transformation”: Launch to celebrate the Westmead Health Precinct

The future of health, education and research in western Sydney was celebrated on Tuesday 8 June with the launch of the Central Acute Services Building (CASB) in the Westmead Health Precinct.

Following the official opening of the CASB in March with Premier Gladys Berejiklian, health heroes were invited to a personal celebration of the significant milestone – complete with cake, balloons and great food – hosted by The Westmead Association and organised by Georgette Hanna.

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Western Sydney Local Health District (WSLHD) chief executive Graeme Loy said the more than $1 billion redevelopment was “the result of everyone coming together for a common purpose”.

“This collaboration represents years of planning, and hundreds of thousands of hours of hard work.

There’s nothing like this anywhere else in NSW. Here we have the chance to shape what the next 25 years of healthcare looks like – getting rid of traditional barriers and taking care to the people,” Mr Loy said.

Following the cutting of the cake with University of Sydney executive dean Professor Robyn Ward and Sydney Children’s Hospital Network chief executive Cathryn Cox, guests were invited upstairs for lunch and time to chat.

Westmead Hospital transplant surgeon Professor Henry Pleass described the operating theatres in the new CASB as “fabulous”.

“It’s exciting to be working in a hospital that’s become internationally renowned. We have a great opportunity to build on that if we get the education and teaching right,” Professor Pleass said.

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Westmead Hospital obstetrician and gynaecologist Dr Andrew Pesce said the new building presented “a good challenge”.

“Change is a stimulus to think how to do things differently and how we can do things better,” De Pesce said.

Professor Ward said despite being more than 40 years old, the collaboration between the university and Westmead Hospital shows no signs of wearying with middle age.

“The relationship between the two entities is getting stronger and stronger.

“The partnership between health, education and research continues to thrive and in fact is more aspirational than ever.”

Sydney Children’s Hospital Network chief executive Cathryn Cox said she was thrilled to be part of the first shared adults’ and children’s facility.

“This is a once-in-a-generation transformation, and truly a national, world-class precinct we’re building,” Ms Cox said.

The Westmead Health Precinct is one of the largest health, education, research and training precincts in Australia. The precinct includes four major hospitals, four world-leading medical research institutes, two university campuses and the largest research intensive pathology service in NSW.