31 May 2023

The front entrance of Austin Hospital and Mercy Hospital will be closing on Friday 2 June to allow a range of exciting renovations to commence.

What is happening?

Significant building works are being undertaken in the podium area out the front of the Austin Hospital and Mercy Hospital.

We need to redevelop the entry to the Austin Hospital so that we are better able to care for our patients and communities. The new entry will be safer for pedestrians and vehicles, and will include landscaping, welcoming seating and a playground for families.

The renovations will affect the ways that people and cars can access the hospitals.

What will be closed?

The front entrance to both hospitals will be closed for the coming months while the building renovations occur.

This includes closing:

• car access to the roundabout out the front of the Austin and Mercy hospitals
• pedestrian access to both hospitals from the podium and
• the external stairs from Studley Road (opposite the train station).

How can the Austin Hospital be accessed during the renovations?

While the renovations are underway, patients and visitors will still be able to enter the hospital through the other entries.

If you are driving, you will still be able to enter the hospital via the lifts in the main car park (entry opposite the train station on Studley Road).

• To access the Emergency Department in an emergency, drive or walk up to the Emergency Department (entry via Burgundy Street).
• To drop off or pick up patients, including taxis and ride-share services, go to Level B3 of the Austin Towers car park (entry opposite the train station on Studley Road).  Vehicles have free access to level B3 for 30 minutes.
• To enter the Austin Hospital from the carpark or on foot, Access the Austin Hospital via the car park lifts (entry opposite the train station on Studley Road).

What is happening to the Commemorative Circle?

The Commemorative Circle means a great deal to our community and to Austin Health.

Unfortunately, as part of the building works, the Commemorative Circle needs to be removed.   

We have heard the community feedback about removing the pavers. We are commissioning new Commemorative Wall, which will list the names from the Commemorative Circle pavers. It will be different to what was originally in the Circle, but it will be a physical way we can keep honoring individuals and families.

We will provide more information soon.

In the meantime, we have been in touch with the generous donors who contributes to the Circle and we hold a permanent record of members of the Commemorative Circle. The pavers are listed on the Austin Health site at www.austin.org.au/pavers and donors are able to request a photograph of their paver by emailing foundation@austin.org.au