St Vincent's Hospital Lismore has today announced that plans for the sale of the facility are paused as the hospital gears up for an exciting rejuvenation through 2025 and 2026.

Chief Executive Officer Alan Cooper said that he is excited to announce ongoing investment into the hospital, continuing to deliver and expand first-class care to the Northern Rivers community. 

“At present, our plans for sale of the hospital are on hold. Our primary focus is on delivering outstanding care, ensuring an excellent patient experience, and offering rewarding careers for our staff,” he said.

The hospital has been a cornerstone of the Northern Rivers community for over 100 years, and reported a perfect score in its recent ACHS Health Standards review, ensuring St Vincent's Hospital will continue to offer excellent medical services. 

Mr Cooper said that increased investment in amenities would ensure that St Vincent’s is a modern, fit-for-purpose hospital for patients and staff alike.

Recent investments include:

• Interior & exterior paint of the hospital
• New carpets & custom furniture throughout
• Complete renovation of all public bathrooms
• Upgraded waste disposal
• New wayfinding signage
• Lifts upgrade
• Patient ward rooms: room & bathroom complete renovation 
• New scrubs and staff uniforms 
• Development & implementation of positive values and behaviours
• Childcare facility upgrade
• Aged Care facility upgrade
• Eye Clinic upgrade

“We take pride in being an employer of choice for healthcare practitioners, allied health workers, clinicians, and administrators, offering pathways for rewarding careers in Northern New South Wales.

Our staff are the backbone of the hospital, and I am proud to lead them into a new era.”

Mr Cooper said this announcement also provided a timely reminder that private patients in the Northern Rivers have the right to request a transfer to St Vincent's from public Emergency Departments, maximising choice.

“The newly created Clinical Care Manager will allow General Practitioners to directly admit patients to the care of specialists at St Vincent’s instead of sending them to public Emergency Departments, alleviating some of the pressure on our colleagues at Lismore Base Hospital.

My message is simple - St Vincent’s Hospital Lismore is very much in business, providing continuity of care to our wonderful Northern Rivers Community.”