Established in 1979, Albury-Wodonga Private Hospital started out as one ward with 35 beds and two operating theatres. It has grown to become the region's largest and most comprehensive private hospital facility and is regarded as one of regional Australia's most progressive hospitals.

Initial discussions to determine the customer’s key values highlighted a genuine passion to continue to meet local community health needs. They also expressed a desire to increase their status as a ‘one-stop health service’ on the site.

As we have found with many projects of this nature, changes to a working hospital have the potential for stress due to the possibility of disruption. But there is usually a constructive way around this: we communicate. By keeping everyone informed well ahead of time, by having regular face-to-face meetings and by having an open door policy, everyone ‘stays on the same page’ and expectations are easier to manage.

The main task here was to extend the building footprint and install two new operating theatres, a medical procedure room and extend existing recovery wards. General administration areas, waiting rooms, consulting suites and a new staff room were also part of the scope.

Dealing with complex issues such as medical gases and infection control measures are some of the challenges faced in the complexity of medical fitouts, excellent communication and management ensured the hospital’s functions remained unchanged, an outstanding result.