The new Critical Services Building (Building 5) at Canberra Hospital is planned to open on Saturday 17 August.
The Building 5 main entrance is located on the southern side of Hospital Road, off Bateson Road. It is the new main entry to Canberra Hospital and is around 300 metres from the Southern Multistorey Car Park.
Designed to meet the growing health care needs of our community.
Many of our critical care services will move into the new building, creating a better-connected and person-centred hospital.
Emergency department
Located at street level with its own entrance, the new ED features redesigned treatment pods to help to reduce noise and distractions. A separate children’s emergency area with an outdoor play zone and sensory room helps keep kids safe and comfortable.
Intensive care unit
The new ICU is on level 5. It has two outdoor terraces with sheltered and fully equipped medical bays, so patients can spend time outside during their recovery. There are four paediatric bed spaces and improved visitor and family lounge areas.
Operating theatres
Located on level 3, there will be more operating theatres equipped with modern technology, and capacity to expand as our city grows. Other features include an expanded recovery area, a new Day Surgery Unit and a dedicated Post Surgery Pick Up lounge.
Cardiac Care
The Cardiac Day Unit, Acute Cardiac Care Unit and Cardiac Catheterisation Laboratories are on level 6. Equipped with the latest technology, the Cardiac Cath Labs offer elective and emergency services for people with heart conditions.
Inpatient wards
Some of our medical and surgical inpatient wards are moving to levels 6 and 7. The new inpatient wards are modern, bright and open with lots of natural light from the big windows in almost every bed space and throughout the ward.
Your comfort in mind
Building 5 has spaces to make your time in hospital more comfortable. With a greater connection to nature through outdoor gardens, courtyards and terraces; improved accessibility, two new cafes and visitor and waiting lounges throughout the building.
Get to know Building 5
Get a glimpse inside the new building –
the new home to critical care services at Canberra Hospital.
Getting ready to open
Building 5 is currently being prepared to see its first patients in August.
Patient safety is our number one priority during the move. We will communicate arrangements for the move with our patients, their families and carers.
There will be temporary changes in place across the Canberra Hospital during the move, so please follow all directions and ask for help if you need it.
Canberra Hospital Emergency Department is moving
As part of the move, the Emergency Department will relocate to its new location in Building 5. The ED will have its own entrance on Hospital Road, off Bateson Road.
The new ED is scheduled to open at 7:30am on Saturday 17 August. The current ED in Building 12 will close at the same time. If you need to go to the ED on Saturday 17 August after 7:30am please go to Building 5.
Patients already in the ED in Building 12 prior to 7:30am will continue to be treated there until they are discharged or admitted to the hospital if required.
Canberra Hospital campus map
We have a Canberra Hospital campus map. This map will be updated when Building 5 critical services open.
Location & wayfinding
Building 5 is on the southern side of Hospital Road, off Bateson Road. It is the new main entry to the hospital and is well signposted. If you need help getting around, please ask our team at the Main Reception. They’re on level 2 (street level) of Building 5. Each level of the building also has signs at the lifts. They show you the level you're on, the services on that level, and where they are located with a map.
Parking
The Southern multistorey car park on Bateson Road is the closest major car park to Building 5. There is a drop off and pick up zone directly in front of the entrance to the building. There will also be some short stay mobility parking in front of the new Emergency Department.
Emergency department
If you need care for a life-threatening emergency, don’t wait, please come to the emergency department. If you want to wait for the new ED to open, it’s probably not an emergency and you should see your GP or a Walk-in Centre instead.
Ward changes
Our ward list will be updated closer to the move with full details of which wards are moving to Building 5.
Public transport
Bus stops around Canberra Hospital are unaffected by the opening of Building 5. Our website has more information about where to find them.
Inpatients
If you (or a loved one) are staying at hospital when it’s time to move to Building 5, don’t worry. Your care team will let you know if you are moving, where to and at what time. If you have an upcoming appointment or procedure that will be in the new building, you will be informed of where to go prior.
