Health Minister Jillian Skinner today announced a grant of $5 million to plan the future of the St Vincent’s hospitals and research campus.

Mrs Skinner was joined at St Vincent’s Hospital by Member for Coogee Bruce Notley-Smith to view concept plans for the expansion of the Darlinghurst campus.

“I am delighted today to announce $5 million funding over two years to undertake the next stage of planning of the St Vincent’s Healthcare and Research Campus,” Mrs Skinner said.

“St Vincent’s Health Australia has an ambitious, 10-year capital plan to grow St Vincent’s public and private hospitals and co-located research facilities on the Darlinghurst campus.

“One of the great strengths of this campus is that it has long worked to integrate its activities across public and private health, as well as fostering translational research.

“The future plan will expand existing buildings and state-wide specialty services, adopt innovative models of care, extend services to the poor and marginalised and strengthen existing partnerships, particularly in research.”

Mr Notley-Smith said: “The name St Vincent’s has long been synonymous with outstanding hospital care and cutting-edge research.

“I am very pleased this funding will kick start planning on how to future-proof this iconic campus, to ensure its excellence for decades to come.”

While at St Vincent’s today, Mrs Skinner honoured the work of the Sisters of Charity at a celebration to mark the 125^th anniversary of the Sacred Heart Hospice – the first hospice established in Australia.

“The NSW Government is proud of its long partnership with the Sisters of Charity,” Mrs Skinner said.

“Since 1890, the Sacred Heart Hospice has provided compassionate end-of-life care to people across Sydney and the state.”