Footscray Hospital: ambitious new target for more beds by 2025
The state government has revealed the 504 beds initially earmarked for Footscray’s new hospital won’t be enough, with population growth increasing healthcare demands.
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The state government has revealed the 504 beds initially earmarked for Footscray’s new hospital won’t be enough, with population growth increasing healthcare demands.
An ambitious target of more than 600 beds has now been put forward for the new $1.5 billion Footscray Hospital.
At a recent industry event attended by more than 350 infrastructure specialists, Victorian Health and Human Services Building Authority director Tina Skliros said it was likely a 605-bed facility would be needed by 2036.
“While the hospital will provide a minimum of 504 beds (by 2025), there is a significant and sustained demand facing Melbourne’s west,” she said.
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The new hospital will be able to treat an extra 15,000 patients a year.
It will also respond to an extra 20,000 emergency department presentations.
Authority chief executive Robert Fisk encouraged an environmentally-friendly design that would reduce the impact on natural resources.
“We consume a lot power, a lot of water, and produce a lot of waste,” he said.
“We are looking for sustainable solutions that will reduce the cost on our natural resources.”
The new hospital will be delivered as a public-private partnership on land used as a carpark next to Victoria University’s Footscray Park campus, on the corner of Geelong Rd and Ballarat Rd.
Minister for Health Jenny Mikakos said community consultation would start next month.
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