Huge cranes block Crown Street to deliver a new MRI machine to Wollongong Hospital. Photo: NSW Government.
If you were wondering why Crown Street in Wollongong had to be closed this week, here’s the reason.
Massive cranes were brought in to carefully lift a new MRI machine into place at Wollongong Hospital, forcing the overnight closure of Crown Street on Wednesday (1 October) through until Thursday morning.
The MRI machine was craned into its new home on level two about 1 am.
It’s a major step in the delivery of new medical imaging facilities at the hospital, allowing expanded imaging capacity and an additional CT scanner.
When fully operational, the additional MRI will help deliver diagnostic services for a wider range of patients, including those requiring breast imaging, biopsy services, and cardiac imaging.
NSW Health Minister and Keira MP Ryan Park said the new medical imaging facilities would ensure people had access to world-class diagnostic technology closer to home.
“The installation of the new MRI machine is a key step in delivering expanded medical imaging capacity at Wollongong Hospital,” he said.
The new medical imaging facilities will be located across two levels, with the CT scanner near the emergency department on level one, enabling improved access for diagnostic services.
Equipment commissioning and testing is now being carried out in preparation for radiographers and nurses to undertake training on the machine.
Work on the expanded medical imaging department is expected to be complete in early 2026.
