Friends in the front row as the building reach its highest point

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When eight-year-old Miller Townsend visits the John Hunter Children’s Hospital every month, he makes sure to check in with his friend Al Crawford, one of the crane operators on the construction site.

So, it made sense that the two friends had a front row seat at the celebration to mark the building reaching its highest point this month that was also attended by NSW Health Minister Ryan Park and a number of other local MPs.

Concrete has now been poured for all 12 levels of the new acute services building, which will include four basement level carparks, seven levels of clinical space and two rooftop helipads.

The project will greatly increase the capacity to provide essential healthcare services to Newcastle, the greater Hunter region and northern NSW communities.

The John Hunter and John Hunter Children’s Hospital is key to patients like Miller who has been receiving treatment for a rare genetic bone marrow disorder - Diamond Blackfan Anaemia - that prevents the body from producing enough red blood cells.

Crane driver, Al makes sure to call the Townsend family whenever Miller is in hospital so they can wave to each other through the window. Their bond is a wonderful way to demonstrate the impact this new clinical services building will have on the community and its healthcare.