Wollongong Hospital Welcomes New MRI Machine
Works at Wollongong Hospital have made great progress over the last few months, with a new MRI machine successfully installed. The MRI machine was craned into position on Level Two of the hospital in the early hours of the morning, following a highly coordinated 24-hour lift operation. This major milestone was achieved after ten months of planning with key stakeholders including Transport NSW, Health Infrastructure, NSW Ambulance, and the wider Wollongong community. The Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District played a pivotal role, working closely with the Emergency Department to implement robust mitigation strategies. Their efforts ensured that patient care remained uninterrupted, as crews from Stop Slow Traffic Control managed traffic flows around the hospital. The lift demonstrated precision and efficiency, using a 500-tonne crane supported by two smaller cranes to position the MRI through a roof hatch engineered into the building design. The hatch was sealed overnight, restoring the structure’s watertight integrity and enabling the next phase of construction. When fully operational, the new MRI will support a wider range of diagnostic services, including breast imaging, biopsy procedures and cardiac imaging. The new service will enhance access to advanced diagnostic imaging for the Illawarra community, supporting faster, more accurate care closer to home. Testing and commissioning of the MRI is now underway ahead of staff training and operational readiness, with construction of the expanded medical imaging department expected to be completed in early 2026. In addition to the imaging upgrades, Taylor recently delivered a relocated Medical Ambulatory Care Unit and expanded Transit Lounge, which will help improve patient flow and support outpatient care. We’re proud to be delivering modern, high-quality health infrastructure that meets the growing needs of the Illawarra region.
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