Catholic Healthcare
Our Dove Symbol
From the Biblical story of the flood (Genesis 8:10-11), the dove speaks to us of God’s loving kindness and of community. The healing ministry of Jesus began with the presence of the dove (Mark 1:10), sign of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit continues to inspire the Church and our work at Catholic Healthcare today.
Catholic Healthcare's Annual Report 2010/2011
The Historic Hawkesbury Hospital
Opening in 1996, Hawkesbury District Health Service (HDHS) represented a new chapter in the provision of health services to the people of the Hawkesbury. It replaced the historic Hawkesbury Hospital which still stands today, opposite HDHS.
The original district hospital serving the Hawkesbury area, had its foundations in convict days. The local community had been promised an upgrade of the hospital over many decades to meet ever-increasing local demands for health services. Community influence eventually persuaded the State government to call for tenders to establish a new publically funded health service for the local community, to be operated by a not-for-profit organisation.
Catholic Healthcare responded to and eventually won that tender. Construction of the $46 M hospital and community health service began on what was then, a greenfields site, opposite the old hospital in 1994.
HDHS' Foundation
Through Catholic Healthcare, six Catholic groups collaborated to support the establishment of HDHS: the Sisters of Charity, the Sisters of St Joseph (NSW Province), the Sisters of Mercy (Singleton), the Little Company of Mary, the St John of God Sisters and the St John of God Brothers.
HDHS opened its doors on 7 August 1996. In September of that year, HDHS was officially opened by the then Governor-General, Sir William Deane, and blessed by the then Bishop of Parramatta, Bishop Bede Heather.
Governance Structure
Hawkesbury District Health Service Limited was established to operate HDHS and is part of the Catholic Healthcare group.
Catholic Healthcare was canonically established in 1994 as a public juridical person by the Bishops of NSW and the ACT. Its mission is to promote life in all its fullness by providing health, aged and community services, inspired by the Catholic tradition.
The Trustees of Catholic Healthcare govern the ministries conducted by the Catholic Healthcare group in the areas of healthcare, community services and residential aged care, across multiple sites and services in NSW and SE QLD.
Hawkesbury District Health Service Limited is a company limited by guarantee. Its works are overseen by a Board of Directors, who are appointed by and who report to the Trustees of Catholic Healthcare.
