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The University of Wollongong's new health and wellbeing precinct will include Australia's first patient-centred health clinic to offer aged care, retirement living, research facilities and teaching programs.
Details about the plan released last week confirmed that Lendlease would lead the project, with construction to commence in 2020.
Vice-chancellor Paul Wellings said the facility was expected to be operational by 2022.
"The development of the Health and Wellbeing Precinct is a major initiative for the university that will bring significant benefits to the Illawarra community and beyond," he said.
It will create a space where medical professionals sit alongside students, researchers and academics, and where aged-care centres sit alongside state-of-the-art rehabilitation services; where GPs will work side-by-side with dietitians, dentists and psychologists.
"Lendlease provided the most comprehensive development concept and vision for the Health and Wellbeing Precinct, which best meets UOW's vision to advance education, research, community engagement and employment opportunities for graduates."
The new precinct is being designed to integrate research and teaching environments with non-surgical health care and aged care facilities, and will be used to both train future healthcare professionals and deliver new models of patient-centered care.
The overall development represents a $500 million investment in the Illawarra, with stage one to account for $200 to $250 million. It is anticipated the facility will create more than 2,000 jobs and generate more than $6 million in annual economic benefits to the public through aged care and healthcare services.
Deputy vice-chancellor (health and communities) Professor Alison Jones said the precinct would provide new research and teaching opportunities in nursing, nutrition, rehabilitation, psychology and aged care support.
"The precinct will have a strong focus on teaching and research, which will see research translated into practice to improve patient experience and outcomes," she said.
"It will enhance our ability to train the health workforce of the future to deliver patient-centred models of care within an interdisciplinary model."
Stage one of the project will include teaching facilities, a community health clinic, a 108-bed residential aged care facility, 199 independent retirement living units, a childcare centre, retail facilities and additional parking.
Lendlease intents to partner with a local aged care provider for the project.
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