Published on 4 May 2022
Earlier today, the Western Health Board Chair Robyn Batten and I joined Premier Daniel Andrews and Minister for Health Martin Foley at our Melton Health and Community Services site for the announcement that the Victorian Government will invest at least $900 million to deliver a new Melton Hospital.
This announcement is exciting news for families in the Melton and surrounding region, where the healthcare needs are growing exponentially in line with the extraordinary population growth in what is now the fastest growing area of Australia.
The new tertiary hospital will include a 24-hour emergency department, more than 100 medical and surgical beds, an intensive care unit, maternity and neonatal services, more mental health services, interventional services and ambulatory care.
Western Health commenced planning for the Melton Hospital as soon as the Victorian Government announced (around two years ago), that a new hospital in Melton would come under the management of Western Health.
The Melton Hospital will boost access to the very best specialists and deliver excellent patient-centred care for locals in Melbourne’s outer west. It will also generate hundreds of new jobs both in construction of the hospital and its operation when it opens its doors in 2029.
Premier Andrews said while the opening date is planned for 2029, everything possible will be done to enable it to be completed ahead of that schedule.
The hospital will be built on a greenfields site at 245-267 Ferris Road, Cobblebank and it is anticipated that 4000 staff will work on the site.
I will be sure to keep you informed of any key developments related to this major project.
On behalf of the communities served by Western Health, I would like to thank the Victorian Government for recognising the enormous need within the Melton area and responding with the funding for this new hospital.
The Premier speaking at the announcement this morning, attended by Russell and our Board Chair Robyn Batten.
The Premier Dan Andrews and Minister Foley greet several Melton Health staff and Melton residents, Majd Rustom and his family.
Majd Rustom (Melton resident and Western Health staff member) with his mother Amina and his children Amina, 8 and Rasheed, 5, at the announcement.