Work starts on the biggest health infrastructure project in Victoria’s history

MedTech News: Work on the biggest health infrastructure project in Victoria’s history has begun with new designs unveiled for the $1.5 billion Footscray Hospital, which will deliver better care for Melbourne’s west.

Minister for Health Martin Foley said “This bigger and better hospital will cut waiting times and take pressure off other Melbourne hospitals, so patients in Melbourne’s west can get the world-class care they need faster and closer to home.”

The new Footscray Hospital will replace the current hospital on Gordon Street, which was built in the 1950s. Set to open in 2025, it will support population growth across Melbourne’s western suburbs in the coming years.

Operated by Western Health, the new hospital will have over 500 beds, treat almost 15,000 additional patients and allow almost 20,000 extra people to be seen by the emergency department each year. There will also be more outpatient, mental health, palliative care and surgical services.

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Member for Footscray, Katie Hall, said “This is an exciting day for Footscray and Melbourne’s west. This project will create thousands of local jobs during peak construction and will be built using materials, services and equipment sourced from local businesses.”

The designs reveal a first look at the hospital’s exteriors, green spaces, and street entries – creating a welcoming atmosphere for patients and families. It also includes wards that can operate in pandemic mode to allow for increased capacity if needed.  

The new hospital will be a community asset and include facilities such as childcare, gymnasium, pharmacy, general practice and cafes. With a strong focus on sustainability, the design will enable the future electrification of the hospital to support Victoria’s transition to a net zero carbon economy by 2050.

The project will employ more than 2,000 people during peak construction and will be built using more than 90% of materials, services and equipment sourced from local businesses. It is also expected to create over 250 new jobs once fully operational and attract additional services and investment to the area.

Under the Big Build Apprenticeships program, the Andrews Labor Government is providing 1,500 opportunities to Victorian apprentices and trainees each year to kickstart their careers on projects including the Footscray Hospital.

It’s part of the Labor Government’s $8 billion pipeline of health infrastructure – the biggest health building program in the state’s history.