Plans are underway for a new private hospital in Bathurst, with the facility expected to be operational in less than four years. Dr. Bill Mackie, director of Bathurst Private Hospital, disclosed details about the project following an agreement by Bathurst Regional Council to sell a 1.1-hectare parcel of land to Central West Medical Group, which manages the existing private hospital.
The decision to pursue a new hospital comes after the Bathurst Integrated Medical Centre (BIMC) project was halted in 2024 due to parking provision disputes. The BIMC was intended to house a new private hospital among other healthcare services at the former Clancy Motors site on Howick Street. Dr. Mackie stated, “When it was decided, in June last year, that the Bathurst Integrated Medical Centre project would not go ahead, we saw the immediate need to look for other options.”
In collaboration with local council representatives, Dr. Mackie and his team have explored various sites, including private, council, and Crown lands, to identify a suitable location for the new hospital. The chosen site is part of the Health and Knowledge Precinct Plan, established in 2020, and will have direct access to the existing Durham Street car park while extending to Morrisset Street.
The proposed facility will be two storeys high and significantly smaller than the original BIMC design. The existing public car park will remain, with additional parking allocated for staff and visitors of the new building. Dr. Mackie indicated that if everything proceeds smoothly, the new hospital could be completed and operational within three and a half to four years.
The necessity for a new private hospital is underscored by challenges faced by the current facility located in Gormans Hill, which was constructed in the 1970s and has undergone renovations only in 1995 and 2015. Dr. Mackie explained, “Our current facility is not suitable for further renovations or long-term occupancy.” He emphasized that the outdated layout complicates operational efficiency and adaptation to evolving medical care needs.
The new hospital aims to enhance capacity and flexibility by adding another operating theatre. This will provide surgeons with more options for scheduling and accommodate visiting specialists more effectively.
Currently, the Gormans Hill site is leased from Catholic Healthcare, which has expressed intentions to redevelop the land for aged care purposes. This development is a critical factor in the future planning of Bathurst’s private hospital.
As of now, the sale price for the works depot land remains undetermined. The mayor and the council’s general manager have been authorized to continue negotiations regarding the sale. They will report back to the council with recommendations, including potential costs and alternative arrangements for storage needs.
