Visitors, staff and patients will soon have access to a new main entrance and reception area with the opening of the Canberra Hospital Welcome Hall on Monday 3 June.

The Welcome Hall is the first part of the new Critical Services Building to open ahead of services transitioning in August.

Health Minister Rachel Stephen-Smith said the opening of the Welcome Hall is a major step towards delivering the Critical Services Building for Canberra.

“As the new main entrance to the hospital, the Welcome Hall will greatly enhance the experience for everyone working in and visiting the hospital,” Minister Stephen-Smith said.

“It will be a vibrant and active centre of the hospital campus, connecting the existing Canberra Hospital to the new building.”

As visitors and staff enter, they will be greeted by a large, double-story, light-filled space, complete with seating hubs, greenery, a café, retail space, and a large wooden-panelled reception area where staff are on hand to assist visitors.

The new foyer will link the Critical Services Building with the rest of the Canberra Hospital campus.

“Our health infrastructure needs to support clinical services and be a welcoming and inclusive space for visitors and staff,” said Minister Stephen-Smith. “Community feedback has been crucial in designing a space that is welcoming, easy to navigate, and reflective of Canberra’s diverse community.”

Key features of the design include:

• A striking wooden-panelled main reception to provide customer service and welcome the community.
• A new café and retail space to activate the area (to be opened later).
• Seating hubs and green outdoor spaces for visitors and patients to relax in.
• Floor-to-ceiling, double-glazed windows offering a strong connection to the surrounding landscape.
• A conveniently located adult change room, reflecting feedback from people with disabilities and their carers.
• A semi-transparent, above-ground clinical link connecting the existing hospital with the new building, providing patients with privacy during transfers.
• Striking art installations from local artists, creating a welcoming and inclusive space.

The Welcome Hall is centrally located on the hospital campus, close to a new covered pick-up and drop-off point, including for taxis and public transport. The turning circle will also serve the new Emergency Department through a separate entrance.

“With construction drawing to a close and Canberra Health Services preparing to move in, it’s exciting to see this project nearly complete,” said Minister Stephen-Smith.

“The Critical Services Building will provide Canberrans with a larger emergency department, more operating theatres, and a bigger ICU.

“Canberra Hospital staff will have access to state-of-the-art equipment and facilities to support best practice and patient-centred care. We know the community and workforce are eagerly anticipating the opening of the Critical Services Building and will share more details as the opening date approaches.”