Meeting inner west health services demand

Located at 122 Pyrmont Bridge Road, Camperdown Modern — a new healthcare facility proposed to be developed by partners Mathieson Property and PWD — aims to meet the growing demand for health services in Sydney’s inner west.

Consulting firm Destravis Group and healthcare demand modelling company Hardes Data’s clinical services assessment shows that both the primary and secondary catchments to Camperdown are significantly undersupplied by health services with increased demand predicted on the back of robust population growth and demographic changes.

The assessment found that at least an additional 30,000 square metres of healthcare space will be required to meet increased health needs by 2032. In addition, a shortfall of 332 overnight and day surgical recovery beds is also anticipated.

The proposed purpose-built facility, a private health offering in close proximity to the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital (RPA), hopes to address the shortfall in hospital services amid a backlog of demand from the impacts of COVID-19 compounded by population growth and demographic changes.

It will deliver 10,300 square metres of health facilities, with large floorplates ranging from 1300 to 1700 square metres and a flexible design that can accommodate a range of health services, including day surgeries, pathology, radiology, mental rehabilitation, consulting suites and potentially 120–130 patient beds.

Mathieson Property Director Alex Sicari said Camperdown Modern can provide a purpose-designed facility for health users across large, flexible contiguous floor plates that are extremely difficult to amalgamate in the small and fragmented private land holdings surrounding RPA Hospital. “With NSW Health confirming a $750 million expansion for RPA Hospital, demand is set to increase for private health services in what is an already undersupplied market,” Sicari said.

Phillip Rossington, Principal at BVN, said the unique site and design creates an activated ground plane incorporating sunny outdoor areas, retail opportunities and an easily accessible pick-up and drop-off entry experience.

“The exterior of the space is designed to break down the massing of the building into a scale that is more relatable to human experience. This methodology provides a smaller floor plate, which offers clearer internal circulation and better access to daylight. The interior of the space would also be designed with human experience as one of the top priorities. Natural material with warm tones like timber would be applied to provide a harmonious, stress-free user experience, for patients, staff and visitors alike.

“The next phase of the project presents exciting opportunities to embody some innovative engineering solutions. Potential of using local, renewable and recycled materials would also be explored to optimise the energy efficiency during construction.”

Destravis was engaged to assist in a health service activity investigation and functional design review of the Camperdown Modern Private Hospital. Investigations identified the site is well located to deliver services for the inner Sydney community, according to Destravis. “It is in close proximity to the Sydney CBD and the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, with strong present demographic, wealth, workforce and projected private health service activity into the future. This serves as a strong foundation for a private hospital to establish on the site.”

Anthony Colwell, Associate Director, Destravis Group, said his company also undertook a functional design review of the facility, ensuring the layout, area and make-up of each floor of the hospital, the flows between floors and access for patients will support a functional, contemporary and efficient private hospital facility.

“Destravis’ input ensured the design of the facility puts patient-centred care first, while creating an efficient and safe environment for future operators of the facility — both key to the success of all private hospitals.”

The project is strategically located in the Camperdown Health Education Research Precinct (CHERP), the future focal point of Sydney’s health, innovation and technology community, connected to the Tech Central ‘super’ precinct. It offers access to over 100 research institutes and centres of excellence including leading tertiary education institutions.

Camperdown Modern Project Director Michael Lochtenberg said the development would suit a major private healthcare or hospital operator looking to expand its services within a purpose-built facility.

“The facility will be attractive to a diverse range of tenants including private surgical facilities, general hospital services and mental health service providers. It is expected to respond to the community’s socio-economic demographic, bolstered by a growing population with a high take-up of private health insurance,” Lochtenberg said.

Camperdown Modern is being leased by Mathieson Property, currently fielding enquiries from several large health user groups, with completion planned for late 2025.