Skip Ribbon Commands
Skip to main content

Sunshine Hospital Cladding Works

Home > About Us > News > Sunshine Hospital Cladding Works
Sunshine Hospital Cladding Works

Cladding on a building at Sunshine Hospital will be replaced after a State Government audit found it did not comply with building regulations.

The 128-bed Acute Services Building has been declared safe to occupy following an audit by the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). Western Health has also assessed all factors and is satisfied that the building is safe to occupy.

With the backing of the Department, Western Health has committed to a series of works including the full removal and replacement of the non-compliant cladding.
The process of removing and replacing the cladding will start soon, with the entire project expected to take some time to complete.

To further assure the safety of patients, families, staff and volunteers, a series of immediate measures have already been implemented by Western Health. These include a range of minor works around the perimeter of the building, in accordance with recommendations by auditors and fire engineers, as well as increased security patrols.
Sunshine Hospital has extensive fire detection and suppression systems, including sophisticated smoke alarms and sprinklers. The fire alarm system generates an immediate response from the Metropolitan Fire Brigade (MFB). Western Health management has consulted with the MFB about the cladding and implications for fire response. Western Health staff also take part in regular evacuation drills.

The Acute Services Building is staffed 24-hours-a-day and security regularly patrols its perimeter.

The building has a range of wards and services, including general medical, oncology, stroke, special care nursery, respiratory medicine, and various outpatient clinics. It was partially opened in 2013, with additional areas opened in 2015.

Western Health Chief Executive Russell Harrison said: “The safety and wellbeing of patients, families, staff and volunteers is always Western Health’s top priority.

“We acted immediately, in cooperation with the Department of Health and Human Services, after learning the cladding on the Acute Services Building was non-compliant, even though the building is safe to occupy. We continue to work closely with the Government, engineers and construction experts to ensure all safety precautions are taken, and that includes removing and replacing the cladding.”

Print media statement