NSW Health’s new pathology laboratory at Campbelltown Hospital has been doubled in size and received an equipment boost ensuring the people of South Western Sydney, one of the fastest growing areas in the country, has access to world-class testing facilities now and into the future.
Premier Dominic Perrottet and Minister for Health Brad Hazzard today visited the refurbished NSW Health Pathology laboratory, which was opened in late 2021 as part of the hospital’s $632 million Stage 2 redevelopment.
“Our government’s record health investment is increasing pathology capacity across Sydney’s South-West so families have faster access to diagnosis and treatment when they need it most,” Mr Perrottet said.
“The new laboratory ensures staff have the state-of-the-art tools and equipment they need to meet the needs of the growing hospital and community, with the capacity to process more than 80,000 diagnostic tests per month.
“NSW Health Pathology’s Campbelltown team has played a critical role during the Covid-19 pandemic, processing rapid PCR test results for high-risk hospital inpatients.”
Mr Hazzard said in addition to increased processing and analysing capabilities for Covid-19, the expanded laboratory includes a larger blood bank, and biochemistry and specimen reception areas.
“The laboratory operates 24 hours, seven days a week, providing timely and accurate test results across all aspects of health care, and is crucial to detecting, diagnosing and treating disease and managing long-term health conditions,” Mr Hazzard said.
As part of a record $10.8 billion investment in health infrastructure across the state to 2024-25, the redevelopment of Campbelltown Hospital will deliver a new clinical services building, set to be operational in mid-2022, along with a range of refurbishment and expansion works within existing buildings.
Completion of the new NSW Health Pathology laboratory complements previously completed enhancements to the hospital’s administration hub, pharmacy department, clinical information department and equipment loan pool service.
Camden and Campbelltown Hospital’s general manager Grant Isedale said the expansion will also support the opening of the hospital’s new clinical services building.
“The team is really excited to be working in the new world-class laboratory. It has provided both additional space and new equipment, enabling staff to professionally and confidently process specimens at a greater rate,” Mr Isedale said.
Learn more about the $632 million Campbelltown Hospital redevelopment project at www.campbelltownredevelopment.health.nsw.gov.au
Gee, I was with Campbelltown Hospital when it first opened and looked after Pathology and Cardio-Respiratory. The Path Dept had three people! Me, a clerk and a collector. We were a stat lab with everything else going to Liverpool. We worked 8:00am to 4:30pm Mon to Fri with me On-Call for anything urgent after hours.
It seems to have changed! I would like to visit it to really see the difference.
I’m sure if you got in contact with Dr Mike Freelander’s office (Federal MP), you would be welcome on a walk-through when the new hospital opens, ~ 6 months away.
Denys
I am chasing up the history of the state epidemic emergency response management plan which was the guide to the Covid response. I met you with Genevieve Partridge, in the HSU Managers branch more than a decade ago and remember your role in the service and more widely in management of disasters and emergencies. I was at Sydney based in Supply at Concord. Could you contact me at corncob@westnet.com.au for both passing on your contact to Genevieve, who would love to catch up with you, and for me to pick your brains about the plan and some overseas scientists visiting here including one from the Cuban Covid vaccine program. Bruce Cornwell