Australia's New South Wales (NSW) Government has begun early planning for the modernisation of Mount Druitt Hospital.

Estimated to cost A$60m ($39.43m), the upgrade will add another 30 beds to the hospital.

The project’s scope and indicative timing of the works are expected to be finalised in its planning and design processes.

Staff consultation has taken place and broader consultation is due to begin soon.

The hospital overhaul is intended to help meet the region's healthcare needs and is part of the state government’s broader strategy to add 600 hospital beds in Western Sydney.

Mount Druitt Hospital currently offers 24-hour emergency care, as well as planned surgery services such as general, orthopaedics and breast surgery.

The hospital also offers services such as paediatric and palliative care.

The NSW government has allocated A$3bn for new and upgraded hospitals and health services across Greater Western Sydney.

These include A$550m for redeveloping Fairfield Hospital, A$350m for the planned Canterbury Hospital redevelopment and A$1.3bn to build the Bankstown-Lidcombe Hospital, as well as A$400m to build the A$700m Rouse Hill Hospital.

NSW Health Minister Ryan Park said: “The Minns Labor Government is committed to providing the healthcare infrastructure to meet the growing needs of Western Sydney.

“Boosting bed capacity and healthcare infrastructure is critical to helping ease waiting times and improving access to timely, high-quality healthcare."

Mount Drewitt Hospital is located in the Blacktown Local Government area, which is expected to have a population of more than 400,000 by next year.

The area's population is then forecast to increase to 537,000 by 2031.

NSW member for Mount Druitt Edmond Atalla said: “I'm so proud that a Minns Labor Government is working to deliver on this commitment.

“This is part of a wider investment to rebuild essential services, including healthcare, that communities across greater Western Sydney rely on."