New health hub concept to include disability housing
LONDON: A prupose built integrated health hub is set to include high care specialist disability accommodation.
Up to 200 jobs will be created including the retention of specialist oncologists, paediatricians, cardiologists and other medical professionals following the development of a purpose-built, integrated “health hub” next to Gosford Hospital.
The development has been lodged by Cornerstone Group which builds multidisciplinary health facilities that fall somewhere between a super-sized medical centre and a private hospital.
Located at 60-64 Showground Rd, adjacent to Gosford Hospital and across the road from Gosford Train Station, the health hub is expected to generate about 150 jobs during construction, and once finished will employ 200 health care staff at the facility.
Cornerstone Group managing director Simon Heazlewood said recent research by Colliers International showed demand for several health professions, including medical oncologists, paediatricians, and cardiologists would skyrocket on the Central Coast by 2040.
“Over the next two decades it’s predicted the region will require an increase of more than 350 per cent for medical oncologists, 83 per cent more paediatricians and an 84 per cent increase in the cardiologists required,” Mr Heazlewood said.
“These statistics are staggering and a real reason for concern for the local community. Our hope is that in building the Gosford Health Hub, we offer a state-of-the-art space to attract these specialists to the region to respond to this escalating demand.”
Mr Heazlewood said the Gosford Health Hub would be strategically positioned next to the hospital, and would create a thriving precinct to expand the region’s health service offering and attracting the relocation of key health-related services in the area.
“We expect the hub will include primary, secondary and tertiary health services including GP practices, diagnostic imaging, pharmacies and specialist and allied health consulting rooms,” he said.
“We have designed the building to achieve Class 9a healthcare building classification under the National Construction Code so there is also scope for the establishment of a day procedure unit, radiation oncology, medical oncology, a fertility services provider, research clinicians, and high care specialist disability accommodation.”
The health hub — built on a 2,432sq m site — will include 7,200sq m of lettable space, consisting of a level for medical retail, four levels of operational health care tenancies, medical consultation suite and a top floor containing one and two bedroom specialist disability housing apartments.
“We’re very excited by the prospect of providing a custom-designed space for sustainable and quality healthcare jobs and services, particularly in response to the concerning predicted increase in demand,” Mr Heazlewood said.
“As with all our health hub projects, Cornerstone Group alongside Cornerstone Healthcare Fund Manager will complete the whole process from acquisition of the site, design of the state-of the-art facility through to construction and remaining involved as the building owner on completion.
“It is therefore very important to us that the health hub not only reflects our values, but has an integrated service delivery for the needs of the local community.”
“This $30-million fully-integrated health care facility will help meet the growing demand for health care services in the region and will provide the community with access to quality health care services, located within walking distance of Gosford Public Hospital.”
Cornerstone Group hopes to have approval for the health hub by mid year, which would see construction starting by the end of 2022, with an estimated completion date of early 2024.
