The Emergency Department (ED) at the Allan Labor Government's $1.5 billion new Footscray Hospital redevelopment is now complete.
Premier Jacinta Allan joined Minister for Health Infrastructure Mary-Anne Thomas and Minister for Mental Health Ingrid Stitt today to tour the new ED and release new designs of the hospital's interior.
With final finishes and services being installed, the new ED will transform emergency care for locals in Melbourne's west - with capacity to treat more than 20,000 additional patients each year.
Purpose-built to deliver rapid and effective care to those who need it most, it includes more resuscitation bays, fast-track bays, and acute and short stay beds.
It has been designed to provide a calm and welcoming environment that is easy to navigate. It also features a new Mental Health and Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD) Hub - taking pressure off the ED and ensuring those who need it get specialist care.
New designs released today showcase the hospital's main reception area, communal spaces, patient rooms and waiting areas - the warm colour palette, natural light, comfortable seating and a strong connection to nature and greenery, designed with patients, staff and visitors in mind.
With the new hospital's striking external façade also complete, the almost 1,500-strong construction workforce is now focused on the internal fit-out across the hospital site, with landscaping works also now underway.
The hospital will have more than 500 beds - an increase of nearly 200 - and help hardworking staff care for 15,000 additional patients each year. It will cut wait times, reduce pressure on nearby hospitals, and help families get the care they need.
Since the start of construction, more than three million hours of work have been carried out and more than 150,000 tonnes of concrete has been poured onsite to complete the new hospital structure.
Delivered by the Victorian Health Building Authority in partnership with Western Health, Plenary Health and Victoria University, major construction of the new Footscray Hospital is expected to be complete in late 2025.
As stated by Premier Jacinta Allan
"The new Footscray Hospital will mean more locals in the west can get the very best care they need, close to home."
As stated by Minister for Health Infrastructure Mary-Anne Thomas
"This state-of-the-art emergency department will enable an extra 20,000 people to receive the treatment that they need and help our healthcare workers to continue delivering the best possible care."
As stated by Minister for Mental Health Ingrid Stitt
"The new ED and a mental health and AOD hub will see us deliver on another recommendation from the Royal Commission - ensuring patients who need urgent care, can get tailored, specialised and fast-tracked treatment."
As stated by Member for Footscray Katie Hall
"Seeing this once-in-a-generation project almost finished is so exciting for our community."
As stated by Member for Laverton Sarah Connolly
"Families in Melbourne's west deserve the best healthcare, and Labor is delivering it."
