A new era in paediatric healthcare has begun with the official opening of the redeveloped Sydney Children’s Hospital, Randwick (SCH) – transforming the experience of care for children, young people and families across New South Wales.

The 12-storey building is part of the $658 million Sydney Children’s Hospital Stage 1 and Minderoo Children’s Comprehensive Cancer Centre project.

At its heart is an expanded Emergency Department (ED), offering greater privacy and comfort for patients and families during often difficult circumstances. Positioned close to critical care, imaging and specialist services, the new ED strengthens the hospital’s ability to respond to time-sensitive presentations.

For families like Belle’s, those moments are deeply familiar. 

Belle was born at just 27 weeks, weighing 513 grams, after her mum, Emily, developed preeclampsia and intrauterine growth restriction.

After five months in hospital, Belle went home requiring low-flow oxygen. She later developed an oral aversion and relied on a feeding tube until 16 months of age and now, at three years old, lives with chronic lung disease. 

Over the years, visits to the ED for feeding tube replacements and respiratory illnesses became frequent. 

“When she was working hard to breathe, we had to come straight in. And if her feeding tube came out, we needed it replaced pretty quickly,” Emily said. 

“The doctors and nurses have always been incredibly kind.”

Having experienced both the old and new EDs, Emily says the difference is clear. 

“The new building feels much bigger and brighter. The open spaces and private triage rooms make it more comfortable for families, and there are dedicated areas for parents and carers to step away from the clinical environment. It creates a calmer experience for children.”

Beyond the ED, the redevelopment includes an enhanced children’s intensive care unit, a new medical short-stay unit and inpatient units for medical, surgical, and sleep services. It also includes a day oncology centre, inpatient oncology units, a dedicated bone marrow transplant unit and a new children’s hospital pharmacy. 

NSW Premier Chris Minns said, 

“This is an extraordinary milestone for the healthcare of children, young people and families across the state.”

Co-located Children’s Cancer Institute laboratories will support the Minderoo Children’s Comprehensive Cancer Centre, while the Neuroscience Ambulatory and Research Centre provides specialist neurological care. KidsHQ—a 24/7 virtual care centre—connects families at home across NSW with clinicians. Education, training, and clinical simulations facilities are integrated throughout. Federal Health Minister Mark Butler said, 

“Combining world-leading clinical care with groundbreaking research and education, it will offer hope not only for today’s patients but for an end to childhood cancer in the future.”

Families now have access to private, single patient rooms with space for parents or carers to stay overnight. Welcoming communal areas provide spaces where families can rest, prepare meals, play, and take time away from clinical environments.

“This new hospital building will support families from every corner of New South Wales. From the coast to the country, from metro to remote, no matter the postcode we’re committed to delivering the very best care.”

With the support of the Sydney Children’s Hospitals Foundation, the redevelopment of Sydney Children’s Hospital, Randwick, together with the recent construction completion of Stage 2 Redevelopment at The Children’s Hospital at Westmead, represents significant investment in children’s health through state-of-the-art facilities purpose-built for children and families, like Belle’s.

The new building was completed by Health Infrastructure with principal contractor John Holland, and BLP architects.