A key component of our early engagement for the Rouse Hill Hospital formed the basis of a Report: ‘Consumer and Provider consultations on Innovative Models of Care and the Rouse Hill Health Facility”. This report was used to inform the master plan of the hospital campus and the design of a new health facility that is fit for purpose now, and into the future.
In 2021, Macquarie University was commissioned by the project team to conduct a series of workshops and interviews between August and October. It included 158 participants, including 84 residents and patient representatives from 49 suburbs and 74 healthcare providers from a diverse range of roles and workplaces. Feedback from these sessions were included in the report.
Aboriginal engagement - Connecting with Country
Learning about the Dharug land that we are building our hospital on has been an important element of early planning.
A Connecting with Country framework has been created for the Rouse Hill Hospital development, which was informed by the experiences and knowledge of Aboriginal people, including people from the Dharug nation.
To develop the framework, the project team engaged Connecting with Country consultants, Bangawarra to better understand Country and the history of the site to ensure we design a hospital that respects and reflects local Aboriginal culture and people. This engagement has also helped form the foundations for how the project team will work together with WSLHD to improve the health outcomes of Aboriginal people.
In September 2024, The Rouse Hill Hospital Team held a working with Country session for Rouse Hill Hospital at the Vinegar Hill Memorial Community Centre in Rouse Hill.
The event was facilitated by Julie Jones Webb, a proud Dharug woman and Traditional Custodian and Knowledge Keeper from multiple fresh and saltwater clans.
Engagement session with Dharug Traditional Custodians in September 2024
The session provided an opportunity for the local Dharug representatives to communicate directly with the project team and share the significance of Country, history, and the best ways to work together to get the best outcomes for the new Rouse Hill Hospital.
Engagement report 2024
Our latest stakeholder and engagement report was released in November 2024. The report details our community engagement and provides answers to key queries by community members and stakeholders.
The community had their say on the latest design for the project from August to September 2024, with 350 people attending in-person information sessions across Schofields, Castle Hill, Rouse Hill, Blacktown and at Westmead, with a further 90 stakeholders briefed.
Feedback is informing the next stage of design of the new hospital, with input received from a range of people including community members, health staff, Dharug traditional custodians, multicultural community members, local residents, Councils and NSW Government agencies.
The feedback highlighted positive support for the delivery of a new hospital in Rouse Hill, with respondents interested in the hospital’s design, clinical services to be delivered and future hospital functions, as well as the patient, visitor and community experience.
The community was also interested in parking and access to the new hospital including proximity to public transport. As part of the project a new multi-storey carpark will be delivered, with the site location providing easy access to the Sydney Metro.
The full report can be found
here