Key features of the Canberra Hospital Expansion’s new Critical Services Building
The Canberra Hospital Expansion will deliver increased capacity across Canberra Hospital’s adult intensive care, paediatric intensive care, surgical, coronary care and emergency services.
The new facility will be constructed as an integrated building creating the heart of the hospital campus and will be connected to other hospital functions through public, clinical and logistical transfer links.
The new Intensive Care Unit (ICU) will double what is currently available from 30 to 60. The ICU will include:
- 4 dedicated paediatric beds
- family zones that will provide families who have children in the ICU access to a support area including a lounge and play area
- a multi-purpose therapy space to provide early, integrated rehabilitation which assists with patient’s recovery
- a dedicated pod of beds which can be converted into a complete isolation pod in the event of an infectious threat
- dedicated critical care bays, which will enable high-end, complex interventions, reducing the need to transfer these patients.
The new Emergency Department (ED) will have 147 treatment spaces – 72 more than currently available currently at the Canberra Hospital. In addition, the new ED will include a separate dedicated paediatric stream.
The Coronary Care Unit will include:
- 32 acute cardiac care beds, including bariatric and isolation beds
- 3 Cardiac Catheterisation Laboratories, including one Hybrid Cardiac Laboratory and one Electrophysiology Laboratory
- Cardiac Day Unit to support the Cardiac Catheterisation Laboratories.
The expansion will see 22 new theatres including state-of-the-art hybrid and interventional radiology theatres to allow the latest advances in medical technology to be used.
The new facility will add to the medical imaging facilities available at Canberra Hospital, with:
- 4 x X-ray rooms – one with Orthopantomogram (OPG)
- 3 x CT Scanners
- 2 x Ultrasound Rooms
- I x Ultrasound Procedure Room and
- 1 x MRI.
The new facility will include two additional wards providing 64 surgical inpatient beds and storage spaces for important healthcare equipment.
Family focused design
Research shows that when people can freely use outdoor areas, agitation and aggression reduce, and rehabilitation, recovery and independence are promoted.
With this in mind, key design elements of the new facility include a focus on meeting the needs of both patients and staff through access to indoor and outdoor areas for relaxation and quiet reflection as well as places where families can gather together, discuss issues and socialise.
Sustainability
The Critical Services Building (CSB) aims to transform Canberra’s healthcare infrastructure, leading the way as Australia’s first all-electric hospital building. The building's design will help mitigate an estimated 1,886 tonnes of embodied (Scope 3) carbon emissions every year. This is equal to removing 760 cars from Canberra's roads every year.
The design aligns with the ACT Government's Climate Change Strategy of achieving a zero-emissions health sector by 2040.
Building Features
The CSB includes a range of cutting-edge sustainable design features, including:
- High Performing Façade
Double-glazed windows and an energy-efficient façade to reduce energy consumption and improve occupant comfort. These features minimise the need for excessive cooling in summer and heating in winter.
- Intelligent HVAC Systems
Energy-efficient heating, ventilation and cooling systems, are controlled with an automatic system. This optimises energy usage and promotes efficient building system operations.
- Enhanced Indoor Environment Quality
Humidity, temperature, air quality, lighting (including natural light) and green spaces promote a more enjoyable environment.
- Landscaping
Hospital gardens are primarily planted with low maintenance and drought-tolerant species to reduce water usage.
- Heat Pumps
21 heat pumps to replace traditional gas boilers as the building's source of hot water.
Construction Features
Environmental sustainability has been considered throughout the construction process of the CSB. By using sustainable practices during construction, the project has removed over 2,000 tonnes of operational emissions (Scope 1). This is equal to the carbon removed by more than 30,000 tree seedlings over ten years. Some initiatives include:
- Material Salvage and Repurposing
During demolition of the previous buildings on the site of the new Critical Services Building, an impressive 96% of materials were salvaged and repurposed for other projects. This reduced waste and promoted a circular economy.
- Low Carbon Concrete
The concrete used is locally sourced and carbon reduced by up to 40% (compared to standard mixes).
- Pollution-Free Construction
The use of non-fossil fuelled machinery such as electric cranes during construction minimises noise pollution and harmful emissions. This ensures a cleaner and healthier environment for the local community.
