Last updated on 1 September 2022
The Nepean Redevelopment project team is currently working on a decant and repurposing strategy to relocate staff and services, and prepare the campus for Stage 2 of the redevelopment and the construction of a dedicated Child and Adolescent Mental Health facility. In recent weeks, we have identified some new, unforeseen challenges with the strategy that the redevelopment team, LHD and hospital executive teams are working to resolve as quickly as possible. Unfortunately, this means some staff may have received mixed messages about where and when services are moving because we have had to revisit some of our earlier move decisions. To minimise confusion, please discuss any concerns or questions you have with your relocation champion. While the relocation champions may not have all the answers right away, they are best placed to provide the most up-to-date information because they are regularly liaising with redevelopment team. They can also escalate your concerns if required. To find out more, scroll down.
The decant and repurposing strategy is required to prepare Nepean Hospital campus for Stage 2 of the redevelopment and the construction of a dedicated Child and Adolescent Mental Health facility. The strategy confirms which services and departments are affected by the redevelopment, where they can be suitably relocated and what areas of the newly vacated spaces can be repurposed.
The Nepean Redevelopment project team has worked with the NBMLHD and Nepean Hospital executive teams to assess all department requests and requirements to move based on a strict set of criteria. In recent weeks, we have identified some new, unforeseen challenges with the strategy that we are working to resolve as quickly as possible. Unfortunately, this means some staff may have received mixed messages about where and when services are moving because we have had to revisit some of our earlier move decisions. As further decisions are made, staff will be informed via the “In the Know” newsletter and intranet. Direct communication will also come from your managers via the Nepean Redevelopment decant team.
The following criteria informed decisions about which departments would be prioritised to move:
The final decision about which departments are moving, where they are moving to and when they can move, is being made by the NBMLHD and Nepean Hospital executive teams in close consultation with the Nepean Redevelopment project team. Unfortunately, not all requests for larger and different locations can be accommodated in the short to mid-term. However, the masterplan for Nepean Hospital campus will future-proof our growth and, ultimately all services required to be on campus will be established in a suitable space.
In response to the recent staff memo about the decant and relocation strategy, OUG meetings have been temporarily paused to avoid any confusion or misinformation until the Nepean Redevelopment receives further direction from the District’s leadership teams. Unfortunately, not all requests for larger and different locations can be accommodated in the short to mid-term. However, the masterplan for Nepean Hospital campus will future-proof our growth and, ultimately all services required to be on campus will be established in a suitable space.
The decision to delay the OUGs was made by the Nepean Redevelopment leadership team in partnership with the District and Nepean Hospital executive teams. We appreciate the frustrations you might have about this delay, and we are as keen as you to restart the process once broader hospital campus challenges are resolved by our leadership teams.
For the latest information about the decant and relocation strategy, please refer to our dedicated webpage, which is being regularly updated. You can also discuss any concerns or questions you have with your relocation champion. While the relocation champions may not have all the answers right away, they are best placed to provide the most up-to-date information. Our team is also here to support you and escalate any urgent issues if needed.
All the information that you have provided so far is still relevant and we will continue to work with you when we restart the OUG process. We are so grateful for the all the work you’ve put into this process so far and look forward to picking up where we left off as soon as we are given the go ahead.
While we don't have an exact date, we are hopeful the OUGs will restart within the next few weeks.
No. Preference was given to the departments who are being displaced by construction on campus, and as per the criteria listed in question 3.
The decant team is committed to consulting with all the teams and departments who are moving. Please check with your decanting and repurposing champion, as we may have already consulted with representatives from your team.
Your decanting and repurposing champion is best placed to provide the most up-to-date information because they are regularly liaising with redevelopment team. They can also escalate your concerns if required.
If your team or department is not listed it means you have not been identified as a priority to move this year. Unfortunately, not everyone’s request to move or expand can be accommodated right now. We understand that working on campus will be challenging at times until Stage 2 construction is complete. Following Stage 2 completion, there will be an opportunity to review requirements again for potential moves or expansion.
No. We have done a comprehensive assessment of all suitable work and clinical spaces on campus and have allocated them accordingly. If there is a vacated space that is unused or unallocated, that is because it is either part of demolition or refurbishment works for Stage 2 or is simply no longer suitable for occupation. Please do not relocate your team into vacated spaces without prior approval from the Nepean Redevelopment as per the Memo from the Director of Hospital Services, Brett Williams.
Yes, workspace accommodation areas in the new tower (Building A) will be accessible to any staff member working for the Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District. Additional workspace accommodation areas will also become available when Stage 2 is complete. Clear guidelines are being established so staff know what is required of them to use these workspaces. This includes bookings and cancellations for desks and meeting rooms, knowing which areas are walk-in workspaces, what the occupation timeframes are and requirements for cleaning before and after use. Some clinical support workspaces have been allocated for specific department staff on their floor. For example, workspace accommodation on the Emergency Department floor will be managed by that department. This also applies for the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and Women’s Health Services.
The decanting process is starting now and will continue for several months as different departments move into the tower, and demolition works get underway to progress Stage 2 and the new Child & Adolescent Mental Health Facility. It’s important to note that moving into the vacated areas might not happen immediately because some spaces need to be updated or reconfigured slightly before use. Every department and team will be given plenty of notice before they move to ensure a smooth transition and to minimise disruptions.
To minimise confusion, please discuss any concerns or questions you have with your decanting and repurposing champion. While the dedicated champions may not have all the answers right away, they are best placed to provide the most up-to-date information because they are regularly liaising with redevelopment team. They can also escalate your concerns if required. Thank you for your patience and support as we progress this important and complex redevelopment.