Dr Jaeger said his unit of three neurosurgeons currently conducted more than 100 brain operations at Wollongong Public Hospital each year, with privately insured patients in need of emergency surgery making up 40 per cent of those.

‘’With the opening of Wollongong Private Hospital on Monday, we will be able to offer services for private patients which will open up a lot of operating time for public patients in the public hospital system,’’ Dr Jaeger said.

‘’So if you look at the overall healthcare and surgical service delivery in the region, the new private hospital doesn’t only benefit private patients but public patients too.’’

Dr Jaeger said the new Crown Street hospital’s ‘’state-of’the-art facilities’’ would mean neurosurgeons could now perform a broad range of brain operations.

‘’We now have the tools and the expertise to conduct all types of operations including brain tumours,’’ he said.

‘’We can also conduct operations for the chronic nerve pain condition trigeminal neuralgia and treatment of hydrocephalus, the abnormal enlargement of brain cavities caused by fluid build-up.’’

Dr Jaeger, who trained in Germany, said more Illawarra and Shoalhaven residents now had access to world class neurological services.

‘’There’s now no need for patients to travel to Sydney in many cases,’’ he said.

‘’It means they will have the benefit of having family and friends close by which helps them through their operation and associated recovery afterwards.’’

Just over two years ago, the first sod was turned on the private hospital to be operated by Ramsay Health Care; on Monday the 151-bed facility will open its doors.

All medical, surgical and maternity services offered at Figtree Private Hospital will move to the site, while new services will include cancer care, cardiology and – from mid year – cardiac surgery.