In April 2020, a team from Royal North Shore Hospital and the Northern Sydney Local Health District commenced the development of two new wards in the Douglas Building in response to the pandemic and potential increase in patients requiring assistance in their recovery from COVID-19.

Royal North Shore Hospital General Manager Alison Zecchin said the project has required an enormous amount of team work and collaboration including the reconfiguration and construction of the two new wards.

The 55 beds are spread across two levels of the Douglas Building and will be serviced under the new model of care developed to support staff providing care to patients transitioning from the acute hospital back to their communities and usual place of residence.

Staffed by multidisciplinary teams comprising of medical, nursing and allied health, the wards will assist in ensuring that Royal North Shore Hospital is prepared for any anticipated increases in positive presentations, and providing the right care in the right place.

These wards will be maintained in their current state to ensure the facility is prepared for any changes in the state’s COVID-19 situation.