The Andrews Labor Government is kick starting work to design and build a new $1.5 billion world-class public hospital in Footscray.
Minister for Health Jenny Mikakos today opened an industry forum and announced that community consultation for the project will get underway next month, feeding into the tender process which is due to start in mid-2019.
The new Footscray Hospital is proposed to be delivered as a Public Private Partnership and expected to open in 2025.
Today’s industry forum is the first major step in securing a partner for the design, construction and maintenance of the new hospital and around 350 experts in major infrastructure learned how they can be part of the project.
The new 504-bed Footscray Hospital is proposed to be built next to Victoria University’s Footscray Park campus, on the corner of Geelong and Ballarat Roads. It will replace the ageing Footscray Hospital on Gordon Street, which was built in the 1950s.
The bigger and better Footscray Hospital will meet the increasing demand from Melbourne’s booming western suburbs and ensure families can get the care they need closer to home and create up to 2,000 jobs in the process.
With an increase of nearly 200 beds, the hospital will treat almost 15,000 additional patients each year as well as almost 20,000 extra emergency department admissions. There will also be more outpatient, palliative care and mental health services.
In a further boost, up to 17,000 western suburbs residents per year will be able to receive treatment within their local community rather than having to travel to other inner-city hospitals. This will save local residents time and take pressure off other hospitals.
This mammoth project follows the $200 million Joan Kirner Women’s and Children’s Hospital, which is due to open its doors this year, and the $29.6 million expansion of the Sunshine Hospital emergency department which are all helping to establish Melbourne’s west as a leading health precinct.
As noted by Minister for Health Jenny Mikakos
“This bigger and better hospital will give Footscray’s hardworking doctors and nurses the modern facilities they deserve and need to do what they do best – keeping local families healthy and saving lives.”
“This hospital will cut waiting times and take pressure off other Melbourne hospitals, so patients can get the world-class care they need faster and closer to home.”
As noted by Member for Footscray Katie Hall
“This landmark hospital will transform Footscray and Melbourne’s west into a vibrant health and education hub.”
“More and more families are calling Melbourne’s western suburbs home every day so we’re building a new state-of-the-art new Footscray Hospital to meet growing demand.”
