- Minister for Health
The Melton Hospital is another step closer, with a health service nominated to run the cutting-edge hospital of the future being planned by the Andrews Labor Government.
Acting Minister for Health Martin Foley today announced Western Health would become the operator of the hospital. Western Health already provides world-class care to a population of more than 900,000 people in Melbourne’s west, so is perfectly placed to operate the new hospital.
Vital planning work will determine the new 24-hour hospital’s location and size, and the range of services it will provide. It will also look at how it will link into services at other public hospitals in the western region – including the $1.5 billion new Footscray Hospital.
Western Health – which also operates the new Joan Kirner Women’s and Children’s Hospital – will ensure the new hospital is integrated into existing health services in the West, while boosting access to the very best specialists for locals.
With about 6,500 staff, Western Health delivers excellence in patient care to growing and diverse communities in Brimbank, Hobsons Bay, Maribyrnong, Melton, Moonee Valley, Moorabool, Hume and Wyndham.
It provides a broad range of services from acute tertiary services in areas of emergency medicine, intensive care, medical and surgical services, through to subacute care and specialist ambulatory clinics.
The Labor Government has invested $2.4 million to complete a business case for the new hospital at Toolern, on the outskirts of Melton. A tender has gone out to a shortlist of six consultants, who will carry out the vital planning and design work and find the best site for the new hospital.
Initial planning is underway and master planning will follow when a principal consultant is appointed early 2020. This will involve a detailed investigation into the health needs of the Melton region, now and into the future, and will set the groundwork for designing a hospital that will meet growing demand for many years to come.
As well as delivering record funding to Western Health, the Labor Government has delivered a new operating theatre and maternity unit at Djerriwarrh and is building new ambulance stations at Melton and Bacchus Marsh.
As noted by Acting Minister for Health Martin Foley
“As one of the fastest growing communities in Australia, Melton locals deserve a world-class, 24-hour public hospital, right on their doorstep.”
“Melton’s new hospital will be in trusted hands. Western Health has a proud track record providing the highest quality care to patients throughout Melbourne’s booming western suburbs.”
As stated by Member for Melton Steve McGhie
“We are getting on with planning a new hospital for Melton so locals can get the very best care, closer to home – when they need it most.”
