The remarkable history of the Goulburn Base Hospital is being celebrated as part of new heritage exhibition space as part of the $165 million Goulburn Hospital and Health Service Redevelopment.
Member for Goulburn Wendy Tuckerman said the purpose-built space, named ‘Springfield Place’, is located within a new linkway that joins the original hospital with the new state-of-the-art Clinical Services Building, and is now open for patients, staff and visitors.
“Named in recognition of the Faithfull family and their longstanding association with the Goulburn Base Hospital and community, ‘Springfield Place’ tells the story of the hospital, from its humble beginnings with capacity for 28 patients, to the modern health facility it is today,” Mrs Tuckerman said.
“The Goulburn Base Hospital has been providing high-quality healthcare and services to the Goulburn-Mulwaree Community since 1889, and it’s wonderful to see the stories of its more than 130-year history come alive as part of this new community space.”
Mrs Tuckerman said the exhibition brings to life the story of how the hospital and health services have grown and evolved with the community over the years and showcases some remarkable artefacts and items from the hospital’s collection.
“A big thank you to the community for their involvement in delivering this new heritage display, which features many of their stories and memories of the hospital, along with contributions from local groups such as the Goulburn Historical Society, Goulburn Post and Goulburn Mulwaree Library,” Mrs Tuckerman said.
The Goulburn Hospital and Health Service Redevelopment Arts and Heritage Working Group worked with the Goulburn Health Service Historical Cataloguing Volunteer Group to select a variety of items which are on display to create an engaging public health space for patients, visitors, and staff.
The redevelopment also includes new artwork created by local Aboriginal students and artists, restored tapestries and bright installations of local flora around lifts and staff stations.
The opening of Springfield Place coincides with the opening of the Hospital’s Main Entry and new carpark, and completion of restoration work on the Hospital’s heritage façade.
Minister for Regional Health Bronnie Taylor said the completion of these works marks a significant milestone in the Goulburn Hospital and Health Service redevelopment.
“Final works for the redevelopment is continuing and due for completion in late 2023, which will provide the Goulburn community with more health services, in a first-class regional hospital,” Mrs Taylor said.
“Refurbishment works are under way within the old hospital, including delivering upgraded spaces for ambulatory outpatient services, oncology, Aboriginal health, and pathology.”
With the opening of the Main Entry, the new entry for all patients and visitors to the Goulburn Base Hospital will be via the upper concourse area.
The emergency entrance on the lower concourse, which had been used as a temporary entrance, will revert to being for patients attending Emergency and Medical Imaging outpatients.
Springfield Place is open to patients, staff and visitors between normal operating hours, 7 days a week.
The Goulburn Hospital and Health Service Redevelopment is part of the NSW Government’s record $11.9 billion investment in health infrastructure over the next four years to 2025-26, with nearly a third of the capital allocation in this financial year going towards regional and rural health facilities.
Since 2011, the government has delivered more than 180 health capital projects across NSW, with more than 130 projects currently underway – of those, more than 90 are in rural and regional areas.
For more information and to view a map of the public entrances to the hospital and Springfield Place, visit: https://www.goulburnredevelopment.health.nsw.gov.au.
