Antony Perry
15 May 2017: Visitors to the University of Canberra Public Hospital (UCPH) will be greeted by a familiar sight when the facility opens to the public next year.
The concept behind the facility’s exterior design has been revealed and pays homage to Canberra’s reputation as the bush capital.
Sections of the façade were unveiled at a ceremony last week to mark the project’s latest construction milestone, with the territory’s iconic Brindabella Range featuring in the rolling design.
The milestone comes five months after Multiplex, the head contractor delivering the project, completed work on the hospital’s concrete structure. Almost 500,000 hours have been logged since construction began early last year.
University of Canberra Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Deep Saini said the hospital, which is being built on the University’s campus, was an important step forward for healthcare in Canberra and for teaching and learning at the University.
“This progress is fantastic and I’m amazed at how quickly the hospital is taking shape,” Professor Saini said.
“I’m very excited to see it progressing so quickly because it means our staff and students are closer to having access to more world-class facilities on our campus.
“I can’t wait to see students learning at the UC Public Hospital and then using their skills and knowledge to help members of the community, whether it is at this hospital or elsewhere.”
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Vice-Chancellor Professor Deep Saini and ACT Minister for Health Meegan Fitzharris at the unveiling of the University of Canberra Hospital’s exterior design. Photo: Claudia Doman
The UCPH is being built as part of the ACT Government’s Health Infrastructure Program.
The 140-bed facility will be Canberra’s third public hospital and will specialise in the provision of rehabilitation, aged care and mental health services.
The UCPH is part of a wider Health Precinct on campus. It will join the already operating Health Hub and the University’s highly successful student-led clinics.
Dean of the Faculty of Health Professor Diane Gibson said staff and students would have access to teaching and research spaces inside the hospital.
“As the opening date gets closer we’re really starting to see the capacity for collaboration between the University of Canberra and ACT Health,” Professor Gibson said.
“It’s about achieving better quality of care for the people of Canberra and we want our staff and students to play a part in that.
“There’s a lot happening in the health space at the University of Canberra and we can’t wait to have our students helping enable people to live the best lives possible.”
The UCPH will open to the public in 2018.
