A $40.1 million commitment from the NSW Government will help bring to life Australia’s first purpose-built complex care hub for children living with multiple chronic health conditions. The Kookaburra Centre, to be established at The Children’s Hospital at Westmead, promises to transform how these children and their families experience medical care.
Part of the broader Stage 2 redevelopment of the hospital, this new initiative lifts the total investment in the project to $659.1 million. Unlike conventional hospital settings, the Kookaburra Centre is being designed with families at the centre of its thinking. The facility aims to house a multidisciplinary team under one roof—streamlining complex care that currently requires coordination across different departments and locations.
NSW Health Minister Ryan Park said the Children’s Hospital at Westmead already treats more than 94,000 children every year and described the centre as a major advancement in patient experience. “By working with the Sydney Children’s Hospitals Foundation, we are going to be able to deliver world-class care and state-of-the-art infrastructure to the children and families who need it most, coordinating all of their care in one central location,” he said. “The Kookaburra Centre’s innovative, home-like facilities will enable specialist treatment to accommodate the specific needs of patients and ensure families are an integral part of their care.”
Children with complex illnesses often need to see multiple specialists across disciplines—paediatrics, neurology, endocrinology, respiratory care, and more. The current model can be exhausting for parents, who must manage appointments, transport and sometimes conflicting advice. This new facility aims to change that by building in physical spaces for parents, as well as tech infrastructure that connects families with off-site specialists and local clinicians—whether they live in Penrith or Parkes.
For children and families from regional New South Wales, the promise of integrated virtual care is particularly welcome. Remote monitoring and digital ward-round participation are expected to ease the transition between hospital and home. Local GPs and nurses will be able to remain in the loop during hospital stays, and when the child returns home, continuity of care should be smoother.
Dr Joanne Ging, Director of Clinical Operations at the Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network, said this approach represents a shift in the model of care itself. “This approach is completely unique and will not only improve a family’s experience while they are in hospital, but thanks to virtual care technology, it will also enable a seamless transition back home—whether that be in metro, rural or regional NSW.”
Member for Parramatta Donna Davis described the upgrade as a welcome relief for families. “Navigating treatment for children with complex health issues can be very challenging for families,” she said. “A centralised space like the Kookaburra Centre will greatly improve that experience.”
Beyond its primary mission, the Centre will sit within a new Paediatric Services Building, which is currently under construction by RobertsCo and expected to open in early 2026. That broader expansion includes a new Paediatric Intensive Care Unit, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, upgraded cancer and burns treatment services, a new pharmacy, perioperative facilities, and enhanced isolation and play zones.
Sydney Children’s Hospitals Foundation Chief Philanthropy Officer Colin Allen, along with CEO Kristina Keneally, stressed the importance of partnership in making such projects possible. “The Kookaburra Centre is a testament to what’s possible when philanthropy and Government work hand-in-hand—creating not just a world-class facility, but a new model of care centred around children and their families.”
While the concept is ambitious, the Government says planning and design will continue to be informed by clinicians, families and patients themselves. The building will also connect with the new Emergency Department and short-stay facilities opened during the hospital’s first stage of redevelopment in 2021.
Whether it’s a four-year-old undergoing ongoing oncology treatment, or a teenager managing multiple autoimmune conditions, the hope is that this centre will bring clarity, care and comfort—without the burden of bouncing between clinics.
The Minns Government says this is part of a broader push to modernise public health care in the state. The model may well set a precedent for other hospitals around the country, particularly if it helps reduce stress on families while improving clinical outcomes.
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