Despite heavy rain, work on the 171-bed facility is ahead of schedule, with practical completion expected on July 6, well ahead of the official opening in September.

The hospital, which will replace the 30-year-old Hills Private Hospital, has state-of-the art equipment, expanded facilities (including a paediatric ward) and a specialist medical centre.

The maternity unit will also be expanded to cope with the growing number of young families in the north-west, with a 37-bed maternity unit, six birthing suites and neonatal special care nursery.

It was also be one of only three private hospitals in Sydney to have an accident and emergency service.

Parking should be easier than at the Hills Private Hospital, with 690 parking bays outside and in the basement.

While major construction of the building is mostly completed, tradesmen are adding inside touches before the final fitout can begin.

The operating theatres are almost ready for use, with the latest equipment installed.

Caroline Ucherek, sales and marketing manager for Aspen Developments, which is building the hospital, said Healthscope, which would operate the new facility, intended it to be a centre of medical excellence.

``Some of Sydney's leading specialists from St Vincent's Hospital and Macquarie Street will have rooms in the specialist suites,'' she said.

The Hills Private Hospital will be refurbished and reopened as a rehabilitation hospital.