With the new $1.5 billion Footscray Hospital set to officially open in 2025, a new construction milestone has been reached with the footbridge connecting Victoria University (VU) to the hospital installed.
The footbridge was unveiled at the new Footscray hospital by Victorian Premier the Hon Jacinta Allen, Minister for Health Infrastructure the Hon Mary-Anne Thomas, VU Chancellor the Hon Steve Bracks, VU Vice-Chancellor Professor Adam Shoemaker and Western Health CEO Adjunct Professor Russell Harrison.
Made possible from a $13.1 million investment from VU, the footbridge creates a link between the new Footscray hospital and VU's Footscray Park Campus future education and research centre.
This connection is crucial to the future success of Footscray becoming a destination for health, education and research.
In 2023, VU provided 48 per cent of Western Health's graduate nursing positions - the highest proportion of any university. Each year, almost 1000 VU students complete over 110,000 hours of clinical placements at Western Health locations, and it's estimated in coming years, 1500 roles will be created for VU students in the precinct in key employment sectors.
"Footscray is transforming into a leading precinct for health, education, and employment. The unveiling of the pedestrian footbridge linking the New Footscray Hospital and Victoria University's Footscray Park campus is a shining example," Mr Bracks said.
"For VU, this bridge symbolises a vital connection. It will strengthen our collaboration with Western Health and will amplify opportunities for VU students and researchers - the region's future skilled health professionals."
Second year VU Bachelor of Nursing student and Victorian Government nursing scholarship recipient, Teaghan Wilton said having the hospital on VU's doorstep will be of huge benefit to her and her fellow students.
"To have a major tertiary hospital with the newest technology on VU's doorstep is a fantastic professional development opportunity for me and other nursing students, with huge potential for upskilling the workforce in Melbourne's west," Ms Wilton said.
Quote attributable to Premier Jacinta Allan
"The new Footscray Hospital will not only provide Melbourne's west the best care closer to home, but it will also give generations of aspiring nurses access to a world-class education."
Quote attributable to Minister for Health Infrastructure Mary-Anne Thomas
"Our nurses are the very best of us and the new hospital - the largest health investment in Victoria's history - will deliver an unmatched health and education precinct for study and work."
