The $138 million redevelopment of Cessnock Hospital is advancing, with construction expected to begin next year.
The NSW government will reveal a fresh design for the project today, while urging the community to provide feedback.
NSW Minister for Regional Health Ryan Park said the project would "transform healthcare for the people of Cessnock".
Mr Park said it would tackle capacity issues and "support contemporary models of care".
"The redevelopment is being informed by extensive staff and community feedback," Mr Park said.
"We encourage the community to have their say on this next stage of design."
In this year's budget, the government said it committed an extra $27 million to the project to account for rises in construction costs and ensure the project happens on time.
The government has confirmed this extra money will also fund an operating theatre and procedure room, a central sterilising services department and a pharmacy.
Cessnock MP Clayton Barr said the community deserved the upgrade.
Mr Barr said it would "benefit communities across the Lower Hunter region".
"I would like to see as many people as possible involved in the conversation about our future hospital - what it might look like and how it might work best for everyone," Mr Barr said.
"So please, if you can, come along to either of the planned community information sessions to play your part in this once-in-a-generation build."
Mr Barr said in June, after the budget, that he had spent "months working towards and attending multiple meetings for extra dollars towards the rebuild".
He was "ecstatic" that the plan "more closely resembles the first option put to us".
He said the redevelopment would have "potential for future expansion", and would align with government moves to boost the health workforce.
Once a contractor is appointed for the project's main works, construction will be on track to begin next year.
A government statement said the project would significantly improve healthcare services for the region's rising population.
Ramsey Awad, Hunter New England Health's executive director of infrastructure and planning, said "we've listened carefully to the community's feedback".
The response was a design that would meet healthcare demands for "today and the future".
The project's completed "schematic design", to go on public display today, provided more detail on what would be built.
It will include a new two-level acute services building with an expanded emergency department.
Additionally, the building will house two inpatient wards with single-and two-bed rooms with en suite bathrooms, a new medical imaging service and day surgery spaces.
Consultation with staff and the community will continue, as the project progresses.
Working groups will seek feedback on a proposed "arts in health program", along with landscaping and outdoor spaces.
The aim was for "local culture to be reflected in the hospital's design".
Public information sessions will be held on Tuesday and Wednesday, November 12 and 13, from 10am to midday at Cessnock Hospital's main foyer.
Another session will be held on Wednesday the 13th from 9am to 1pm at Cessnock Village Shopping Centre.
Visit hneinfra.health.nsw.gov.au/projects/cessnock or contact the project team at HI-Cessnock@health.nsw.gov.au.
