News

Albury Wodonga Health has reached a significant milestone in the redevelopment of emergency care services, with the opening of a new Short Stay Unit (SSU) as part of a multi-stage redevelopment of the Albury Emergency Department.

This investment in the region’s healthcare has been made possible through the joint $36m funding from the NSW and Victorian Governments and has been delivered in partnership with the Victorian Health Building Authority (VHBA), Joss Construction and Albury Wodonga Health.

This final piece in the puzzle for the Albury Emergency Department redevelopment builds on the momentum from the successful opening of the redeveloped Albury Emergency Department in April 2024, further enhancing the department's capacity to respond to the growing needs of our cross-border community.

Designed to provide high-quality, short-term treatment for patients requiring less than 24 hours of observation, the SSU offers a dedicated and efficient care pathway. This model ensures patients receive the right care at the right time, while reducing the demand for inpatient beds and improving patient flow through the emergency department.

With this addition, Albury Wodonga Health will now utilise 57 emergency care points across its Albury and the existing 15 emergency care points on the Wodonga campus — a critical enhancement given the combined emergency departments manage over 72,000 presentations annually.

The commissioning of the Short Stay Unit includes:

• 16 new short stay beds, with 9 now operational from 10 July
• Expanded ED capacity, with the return of 8 care points
• A new purpose-built Procedure Room now fully dedicated to clinical care
• A dedicated stock room to streamline access to essential resources
• New office space, co-locating ED and Critical Care management teams to foster service integration and efficiency
• Two new meeting rooms to support multidisciplinary team collaboration and planning
• Upgraded staff amenities, including four toilets and two showers

By implementing best-practice patient streaming models — including those guided by TEC2 and the Timely Emergency and Ambulance Care Standards — Albury Wodonga Health is actively reshaping emergency care delivery to prioritise timely treatment, clinical excellence, and improved progression of care.

This investment reflects Albury Wodonga Health’s ongoing commitment to contemporary infrastructure and service delivery that meets the evolving needs of our region. The new Short Stay Unit marks a significant forward step in ensuring patients across the border region receive safe, high-quality, and timely care, when and where they need it most.

Quotes attributable to:

Bill Appleby, Chief Executive Officer, AWH

“This project is a testament to the dedication and hard work of everyone at Albury Wodonga Health, Joss Construction, and the Victorian Health Building Authority.”

“The opening of the Short Stay Unit helps our dedicated and highly skilled staff to deliver the very best healthcare for our communities here on the border. With the addition of 9 newly commissioned beds and returned capacity to the ED, we are not only improving access to care but also enhancing the overall experience for patients and their families.”

Linda Hudec, Chief Operating Officer, AWH

“The opening of the Short Stay Unit is the final stage of a multistage Albury Emergency Department redevelopment and is a significant achievement for our teams.”

“This development is not just about increasing physical capacity – it’s about improving the way we deliver care. By providing a dedicated space for short-term patient observation, we are better able to manage patient flow and reduce pressure on inpatient wards, ensuring that we can offer timely, more targeted care when it’s needed most. This is a vital step in optimising our services for the future.”