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Hawkesbury residents will continue to have access to critical, around-the-clock pathology services following the transfer of operations at Hawkesbury District Health Service to NSW Health Pathology.
The change, announced by NSW Minister for Health Ryan Park, ensures that patients in the Hawkesbury region will benefit from the same high-quality testing and diagnostic services available across major public hospitals in the state. The transfer took effect in mid-October 2025 and is part of the NSW Government’s ongoing commitment to strengthening local health services.
Under the new arrangement, pathology testing from urgent blood work to complex diagnostics — will now be managed directly by NSW Health Pathology, the state’s largest public provider of medical testing and forensic science. The service operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, providing essential support for emergency, surgical and inpatient care.
Minister Park said the move was about ensuring security, consistency and integration for the region’s public health services.
“This transition means people in the Hawkesbury can rely on the same world-class pathology network that supports the state’s largest hospitals,” he said.
“By bringing Hawkesbury Hospital pathology into the public system, we’re ensuring patients continue to receive timely, accurate results when they need them most.”
The announcement follows several years of uncertainty around service continuity at Hawkesbury Hospital after a series of provider transitions. The latest change is designed to stabilise staffing and integrate local pathology into the state’s digital health and results systems.
Local health advocates have welcomed the announcement as a sign the government is taking Hawkesbury’s healthcare needs seriously. The region, which has faced repeated natural disasters in recent years, relies heavily on accessible local emergency and diagnostic services.
Member for Macquarie Susan Templeman said the move would help strengthen confidence in the region’s healthcare network.
“This change is about ensuring that people in the Hawkesbury can get the same level of care and support as those in larger metropolitan areas,” she said.
The integration of pathology services marks another small but significant step toward rebuilding public confidence in the Hawkesbury’s healthcare system and ensuring that critical medical testing stays close to home.
