Central Coast health services sector expands as population growth drives demand

Health and social assistance has become the Central Coast's largest employment sector, with more than 12,000 residents employed in a range of roles spanning hospital and specialist medical services, aged care, disability support, mental health, and allied health — a total that reflects both the region's large and growing population and its above-average proportion of older residents whose health service needs are intensive.

Gosford Hospital, as the region's principal referral hospital, has seen demand grow consistently with the population and is in the middle of a major redevelopment that will add a new clinical tower, expanded emergency department, and specialist outpatient services. The redevelopment is a $540 million project expected to complete in 2027.

The private health sector has also expanded significantly, with several specialist medical practices and day surgery centres opening in the Gosford and Wyong corridors to serve a population with a high rate of private health insurance coverage relative to other regional NSW areas.

Aged care is the fastest-growing component of the health economy, with the Central Coast's population of residents over 75 growing at approximately three per cent annually as the baby boomer cohort ages into higher-care needs. Several new residential aged care facilities have opened or are under construction in the region, and the home care services market has grown substantially.

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