BATHURST could have a new private hospital in less than four years.
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The exciting news has been revealed by Bathurst Private Hospital director Dr Bill Mackie, who has opened up to the Western Advocate about the plans for a purpose-built facility in close proximity to the public hospital.
It comes after Bathurst Regional Council announced its in-principle agreement to sell a 1.1-hectare parcel of land from its works depot site to Central West Medical Group, the operator of the existing private hospital.
It was the demise of the Bathurst Integrated Medical Centre (BIMC) plans in 2024 that led to the development of a new proposal to secure the future of the city's private hospital.
A new private hospital was one of the components of the BIMC, which was set to be built on the old Clancy Motors site in Howick Street until an inability to reach an agreement on parking provision put an end to the proposal.
"When it was decided, in June last year, that the Bathurst Integrated Medical Centre project would not go ahead, we saw the immediate need to look for other options," Dr Mackie said.
"Our principal need was a suitable new site primarily for the hospital, but where possible that would also be suitable for the other potential tenants who had planned to be in BIMC.
"We have looked at multiple sites across the town, which have included private property, council land, and Crown land. We have worked closely with the council staff as well as other stakeholders to evaluate the options."
He said the proposed site for the new private hospital was within the Health and Knowledge Precinct Plan, which was developed in 2020.
The new private hospital would have frontage to the existing Durham Street car park and would stretch through to Morrisset Street, with the works depot to remain operational alongside it.
The building is proposed to be two storeys and would be less than half the size of the BIMC proposal.
Car parking has also been considered.
"The current adjoining public car park will be maintained, with new staff and visitor parking for the new building to be located on the new site," Dr Mackie said.
If there are no hiccups along the way, the new hospital is expected to be "completed and operational in three and a half to four years".
A new private hospital is a necessity, with the existing facility in Gormans Hill facing challenges due to the age of the building.
"Our current facility was built in the 1970s, with renovations undertaken in 1995 and 2015, but is not suitable for further renovations or long-term occupancy," Dr Mackie said.
"At a time when private hospitals are under considerable financial pressure, the current layout is difficult to run efficiently and to adapt to the changes in medical care.
"In the new building, we plan to build an extra operating theatre, not only to increase a capacity for the future but also to give us operational flexibility, giving surgeons a better choice on which day they chose to operate and flexibility to accommodate visiting specialists from out of town."
The Gormans Hill site is leased from Catholic Healthcare and, while it has and continues to be flexible with the lease arrangements, it does have a desire to use that land for other purposes.
In an October 2025 meeting, Dr Mackie told Bathurst council that Catholic Healthcare intends to redevelop the site for aged care.
This was also a consideration when planning for the future of the private hospital in Bathurst.
At this stage, a price for the works depot land has not been determined, with the mayor and council's general manager delegated the authority to continue negotiations in that regard.
They will report back to council for determination, together with advice on alternative arrangements for the location of store items and any additional costs incurred.
