The Canberra Hospital Intensive Care Unit (ICU) now has an additional eight beds, following completion of a $13.5 million expansion.

These extra beds, which bring the total number of beds in Canberra Hospital’s ICU to 39, will help ensure patients can continue to receive lifesaving care, including ventilation and high-level health services following trauma or complex surgery.

In a joint statement with the ACT Government, federal Senator for the ACT Zed Seselja said the Commonwealth Government funded expansion will provide additional care places for the sickest and most critical patients in need of high-level care across our region.

“Having more than doubled funding to our hospitals, I am proud of the Commonwealth Government’s commitment to continue to deliver projects that support access to healthcare for Canberrans,” Senator Seselja said.

“The ICU at Canberra Hospital treats around 2,200 patients annually, and the completion of this expansion will mean more patients are able to receive the critical care they need, close to their family and loved ones.”

ACT Minister for Health Rachel Stephen-Smith said with a growing and ageing population in the ACT and Southern NSW, preparing for increased demand for ICU-level care is crucial.

“The expansion of the current ICU facilities at Canberra Hospital, funded by the Commonwealth Government, provides additional health system capacity while construction is underway on the new 60-bed ICU that’s part of the Canberra Hospital Expansion project due for completion in 2024,” Ms Stephen-Smith said.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has shown just how important it is to have surge intensive care capacity in the Territory’s health system. These expansion works have created a cutting-edge facility, with more negative pressure spaces to separate infectious and non-infectious patients.

“Recruitment is underway to increase ICU staffing by 40 full time equivalent positions, with over $28 million committed in the 2021‑22 Budget to operationalise four more beds in a staged way to 2023-24. That’s more medical, nursing, allied health and support services staff to care for Canberrans who are critically unwell.

“These expansion works also provided a valuable short-term boost to the local construction industry, with up to 55 construction workers on site per day since works began in February 2021.

“The ICU expansion is part of our plan for a public health system that delivers the care Canberrans need, when and where they need it,” Ms Stephen-Smith said.

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