The Charlestown Health and Hospital Hub
All systems go for the new Charlestown Health and Hospital Hub located in the heart of Charlestown. Health and Social services are a key industry for Lake Macquarie, being the largest employer by head count and the fifth largest industry sector by annual economic output. This new development will continue the long history of Lake Macquarie in the health sector and build on health precinct across Gateshead and Charlestown.
The Development
The new Charlestown Health and Hospital Hub is strategically located on the Pacific Highway in close proximity to the already burgeoning community-based healthcare services and specialist consulting in Charlestown and Gateshead, which includes Lake Macquarie private hospital. With a capital value of approximately $80 million in land and buildings, and over $100 million in total investment when the internal surgical and medical fit-outs of the building are included, this is easily the largest healthcare development in the region outside of a major hospital.
The Hub provides over 8000m2 of floor space over four floors, in addition to 240 car parking spaces. This development is being delivered by GPV Property, a Hunter Region based property fund manager, with a strong track record in development of healthcare infrastructure, representing approximately $300 million of investment over the last 15 years.
Collaboration is key
The Charlestown Health and Hospital Hub brings together key industry organisations including Sonic Healthcare, Ramsay Health Care and Novatrials.
Sonic Healthcare operates a suite of primary care services, including General Practice, Diagnostic Imaging / Radiology, Pathology, and a Skin Cancer Clinic. The centrepiece of the primary care service offering is the IPN Charlestown General Practice, with 20+ consulting rooms, making this the largest primary healthcare facility in the Hunter region.
Ramsay Health Care is establishing the Ramsay Surgical Centre Charlestown. The surgical centre will include operating theatres, smaller procedure rooms, endoscopy suites and inpatient beds. This will complement Ramsay’s existing hospital operations at Gateshead (Lake Macquarie Private) and Warners Bay (Warners Bay Private).
Novatrials is a Hunter Region-based clinical research organisation, which provides Hunter Region locals with the opportunity to participate in global studies where cutting-edge treatments for various medical conditions are first available. The new facility will allow Novatials to expand its core business of running outpatient studies (Phase 2 and Phase 3 clinical trials), adding a 30-bed inpatient facility for Phase 1 clinical trials; one of only 5 such facilities in Australia and the first outside of a capital city.
The remainder of the space will accommodate medical specialists and allied health professionals, such as surgeons in various disciplines, who will benefit from the convenience of the location for patients and staff, as well as the opportunity to do their surgical work on site.
The future is bright
Lake Macquarie is experiencing strong population growth, driving an increasing need for expanded and modernised health care services. The Charlestown and Gateshead area represents an increasing medical precinct providing significant investment and employment opportunities and this development demonstrates the ongoing need for these services.
