University of Canberra Hospital

University of Canberra Hospital
A sign near the entrance of University of Canberra Hospital
Geography
LocationBruce, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
History
OpenedFebruary 2018
Links
Websitewww.canberra.edu.au/on-campus/facilities/university-of-canberra-hospital

The University of Canberra Hospital' (UCH), officially University of Canberra Hospital: Specialist Centre for Rehabilitation, Recovery and Research, is a public teaching hospital in Bruce, Australian Capital Territory (ACT), Australia. UCH is the third public hospital in the ACT, following Canberra Hospital and North Canberra Hospital. It was established as part of a networked hospital model intended to provide specialist subacute rehabilitation and recovery services while allowing the other two public hospitals to focus more on acute care.[1][2]It is located on the north-western side of the University of Canberra campus and is operated by Canberra Health Services.[3]

The hospital is a specialist subacute facility providing rehabilitation and recovery services, together with mental health and outpatient services. UCH does not function as an acute general hospital and does not have an emergency department or intensive care unit.[4][5]

UCH has 140 inpatient beds, 75 day places and additional outpatient services.[6] The hospital provides rehabilitation and recovery rather than acute hospital care, with facilities including rehabilitation gyms, courtyards, kitchens, and a hydrotherapy pool.[7]

History

Plans for a new subacute public hospital at the University of Canberra were announced by the ACT Government in January 2012 as part of its health infrastructure program.[8] The proposed hospital was initially planned to have 200 beds and was intended to provide subacute care, including rehabilitation and other services, as part of a network with Canberra Hospital and Calvary Public Hospital.[9] By 2015, the planned facility had been revised to 140 overnight inpatient beds and 75 day places, with a focus on rehabilitation, aged care, and mental health care.[10] The hospital was intended to provide care for patients transitioning from acute hospital treatment and to relieve pressure on acute hospitals by providing subacute care in a purpose-built facility.[4]

Brookfield Multiplex was appointed as head contractor for the hospital construction in November 2015.[11] The official sod-turning ceremony took place in February 2016, marking the commencement of construction.[12]

During construction, a worker, Herman Holtz, 62, was killed on 4 August 2016 when a mobile crane overturned while moving a generator.[13] The incident resulted in prosecutions under workplace health and safety legislation; in 2020 the crane driver pleaded guilty to a Category 1 offence, and in 2021 the principal contractor, Multiplex Constructions, was fined AU$150,000 for a safety breach relating to the incident.[14][15]

Construction was completed in February 2018, when the building was formally handed over to ACT Health. The project had been planned for almost seven years.[7]The total investment in the hospital and associated car park was AU$219 million.[16]

The completed hospital was opened to the community on 16 June 2018, ahead of its official opening and commencement of patient services in July.[17] A community open day provided public access to the hospital's therapy gyms, hydrotherapy pool, bedrooms, living spaces, and day-treatment areas.[17] The hospital began taking patients in July 2018.[5]

Services and facilities

UCH provides specialist rehabilitation and recovery services for people recovering from surgery, illness or injury, as well as services for people experiencing mental illness.[5][17]

The hospital's rehabilitation facilities include inpatient wards, rehabilitation gyms, therapy courtyards, kitchens and a hydrotherapy pool. Its design incorporates domestic-style spaces intended to help patients develop skills for independent living and prepare for returning home or moving to other forms of care.[7][18]

Mental health services include the Adult Mental Health Rehabilitation Unit, a 20-bed specialist inpatient unit providing rehabilitation for adults with complex and enduring mental health needs.[19]

The hospital does not provide emergency or intensive care. Patients requiring emergency treatment are directed to other hospitals in the ACT health system.[5][7]

Teaching and research

The hospital has a teaching and research relationship with the University of Canberra. The original plans for the hospital envisaged linking subacute healthcare services with the university's health education and research activities, including the training of healthcare professionals.[4]

The partnership includes the Clinical Education and Research Centre (CERC), a shared education and research facility associated with the hospital. The CERC provides teaching and clinical training facilities for University of Canberra students and supports collaboration between health practitioners, educators and researchers.[20]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Infrastructure Plan Update 2016-17" (PDF). ACT Government. 2016. Retrieved 25 August 2026.
  2. ↑ Inquiry into Planning for the Surgical Procedures, Interventional Radiology and Emergency Centre (SPIRE) and the Canberra Hospital Campus and Immediate Surrounds (PDF) (Report). Legislative Assembly for the Australian Capital Territory. Retrieved 25 August 2026.
  3. ↑ "University of Canberra Hospital getting here & getting around". Canberra Health Services. Retrieved 25 August 2026.
  4. 1 2 3 Cornish, Ruby (16 March 2015). "New public hospital designs for University of Canberra site released by ACT Government". ABC News. Retrieved 25 August 2026.
  5. 1 2 3 4 "What services will be provided at new University of Canberra Hospital at Bruce?". ABC Listen. 14 June 2018. Retrieved 25 August 2026.
  6. ↑ "Our hospitals and health services". ACT Government. Retrieved 26 August 2026.
  7. 1 2 3 4 Bushnell, Ian (20 February 2018). "Newly completed rehab hospital at UC to open in middle of year". Region Canberra. Retrieved 25 August 2026.
  8. ↑ "University of Canberra Hospital". ACT Legislative Assembly. 13 May 2015. Retrieved 26 August 2026.
  9. ↑ "UC remains favoured hospital site". ABC News. 29 March 2012. Retrieved 26 August 2026.
  10. ↑ "Hospitals—University of Canberra". ACT Legislative Assembly. 2015. Retrieved 26 August 2026.
  11. ↑ "Brookfield Multiplex named as University of Canberra hospital head contractor". ABC News. 20 November 2015. Retrieved 25 August 2026.
  12. ↑ "Infrastructure Plan Update 2016-17" (PDF). ACT Government. 2016. Retrieved 25 August 2026.
  13. ↑ Pianegonda, Elise (4 August 2016). "Man dies at University of Canberra hospital worksite after crane tips". ABC News. Retrieved 25 August 2026.
  14. ↑ "Sentence handed down for 2016 workplace death". ACT Government. 20 April 2020. Retrieved 25 August 2026.
  15. ↑ Tregenza, Holly (12 November 2021). "Construction giant Multiplex fined $150,000 over death at University of Canberra Hospital worksite". ABC News. Retrieved 25 August 2026.
  16. ↑ "Infrastructure Plan Update 2017-18" (PDF). ACT Government. 2017. Retrieved 25 August 2026.
  17. 1 2 3 Roberts, Lachlan (13 June 2018). "Take a look at Canberra's new public hospital during community open day". Region Canberra. Retrieved 26 August 2026.
  18. ↑ "University of Canberra Hospital". University of Canberra. Retrieved 25 August 2026.
  19. ↑ "Adult Inpatient Mental Health Units". Canberra Health Services. Retrieved 25 August 2026.
  20. ↑ "Students begin classes, placements at UCH". University of Canberra. 22 August 2018. Retrieved 25 August 2026.
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