St Vincent’s Hospital in Lismore has announced a pause on plans to sell the facility as it embarks on an exciting rejuvenation project scheduled for 2025 and 2026. Chief Executive Officer Alan Cooper expressed enthusiasm about the ongoing investment aimed at enhancing the hospital’s services, which are crucial for the Northern Rivers community.
Cooper stated, “At present, our plans for sale of the hospital are on hold. Our primary focus is on delivering outstanding care, ensuring an excellent patient experience, and offering rewarding careers for our staff.” He emphasized the hospital’s century-long commitment to community health, highlighted by a perfect score in a recent ACHS Health Standards review.
The planned investments will modernize St Vincent’s to ensure it remains an efficient and comfortable environment for both patients and staff. Recent upgrades include fresh paint, new carpets and furniture, renovated public bathrooms, improved waste management systems, updated signage, and major renovations to patient rooms and bathrooms.
Further improvements target childcare and aged care facilities, along with an upgraded eye clinic, all designed to foster a supportive atmosphere for healthcare professionals and enhance patient experience. Additionally, Cooper noted that a new Clinical Care Manager position will allow General Practitioners to directly admit patients to specialists at St Vincent’s, improving healthcare access and reducing the burden on public Emergency Departments.
He reiterated that St Vincent’s Hospital Lismore is committed to providing top-notch care, assuring the community that it will continue to operate successfully. The leadership’s focus on investment and modernization sets a positive precedent for the future of healthcare in the region, reaffirming the hospital’s dedication to its longstanding role in the Northern Rivers.