University of Sydney and Westmead celebrate new health milestone

From re-writing how we tackle spread of infectious diseases in healthcare, unravelling the mysteries behind brain development to helping address infertility, University of Sydney and Western Sydney researchers have formed a crucial epicentre of health innovation that has had a profound impact on healthcare in Australia.  

Westmead Hospital opened the door to their first patient in November 1978, and it was also where the University of Sydney Medical School chose to open its Westmead Clinical School, to train future researchers and health professionals.

Since its founding, the Westmead Health Precinct has since grown into one of the largest health precincts in Australia, home to around 2,000 University of Sydney students and 1,000 staff members or affiliates.

The University of Sydney celebrated 45 years of this historic health collaboration and innovation at a gala which showcased key historic research and healthcare achievements in Westmead’s history. The event featured interactive displays and a visual timeline of key events.

Reflecting on the University of Sydney’s history and partnership at Westmead, Vice Chancellor and President Professor Mark Scott said:

“The University shares a proud history with Westmead Hospital – and Western Sydney continues to be a vibrant environment for world leading education and research, which will continue to benefit Australians’ health. From how we stop the spread of infectious diseases in emergency wards and aged care to how to prevent chronic diseases such as diabetes - we’re excited to continue supporting rich partnerships in the area.”

Executive Dean and Pro Vice-Chancellor Medicine and Health Professor Robyn Ward AM said:

“The Faculty of Medicine and Health at the University of Sydney has long had a vital partnership with Westmead to train many generations of health workers – who have made important contributions to their communities. The University is proud to have helped Westmead grow as a world class destination in health and medical research.

"We are looking forward to another 45 years of this amazing partnership and seeing all that can be achieved to improve the health outcomes for our communities.”

The University of Sydney has invested over $85 million into the precinct, providing new education facilities, upgrades to existing spaces, and a suite of new academic programs and initiatives alongside our partners at the precinct.

The University of Sydney and the Westmead Health Precinct are continuing to work together to solve health challenges through integrated research, education, technology and collaboration.

This includes HIRAID^TM, a new advanced framework to improve patient care from the emergency room to aged care.

In 2020, the Reproduction and Perinatal centre was founded as a leading research centre in the field of reproduction, endocrinology and fertility, obstetrics, and maternal foetal medicine.

Recently The University of Sydney has launched a research and teaching space in the Westmead Innovation Centre - purpose-built to bring health students and applied health researchers into the medical heart of Western Sydney.

The state-of-the-art learning facility uses virtual reality and artificial intelligence to better prepare health students for clinical practice and will be a focal point of the Faculty of Medicine and Health’s Western Sydney (Baludarri) Precinct.

The $10 million Westmead Innovation Centre investment builds upon the University of Sydney’s longstanding medical teaching and training relationship with Westmead.  

It is in addition to the $88 million the University has already invested in Westmead Hospital's Central Acute Services Building, with both buildings owned by the Western Sydney Local Health District.