Tabled in Parliament by Brendon Kearney, the Independent Review of ACT Health Services reiterated a suggestion for one principal hospital in Canberra, supported by a second, smaller hospital.

The report ruled the Royal should be the hospital to close, leaving two hospitals behind that would fulfill the recommendation.

"Dr Kearney said it was his firm view that the range of specialty services required for the ACT for the next 10 years and beyond would best be provided from one centre, the principal hospital," a story on the front page of The Canberra Times said.

"[It should have] 600-700 beds, with the support of a secondary hospital of 250-300 beds, plus a strong private hospital sector of at least 200 beds, spread between no more than two hospitals.

"He canvases the options for implementing this concept, and although he stops short of recommending the demolition of Royal Canberra, the report shows that its retention is the most expensive and least likely."

The Royal Canberra Hospital was closed in 1991 and demolished in 1997. The demolition resulted in tragedy when the implosion failed and debris was projected into crowds, killing 12-year-old Katie Bender.

See: https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/page/11025284