Matthew Guy slams Martin Foley’s emergency department expansion pledge as ‘hoax’

Victoria’s Opposition Leader says the Andrews government is “leading people on” by announcing an expansion of emergency departments in Melbourne’s outer suburbs.

Opposition Leader Matthew Guy has slammed the state government’s expansion of emergency departments in Melbourne’s booming outer suburbs as a “hoax announcement”.

It comes after Health Minister Martin Foley on Monday announced the multimillion-dollar funding for hospitals in Werribee and Berwick as a part of the Victorian budget.

Construction at the Werribee Mercy hospital will double the hospital’s emergency department capacity, supporting an additional 25,000 presentations per year.

As a part of the $236m funding, four extra resuscitation spaces will be built at the Werribee hospital, as well as eight fast-track bays, seven consultation rooms, 28 immediate care cubicles and 16 short-stay beds.

The emergency department expansion at Casey Hospital in Berwick will also include a dedicated paediatric space for children and their families, and support an additional 52,000 presentations annually.

Matthew Guy dubbed the state government’s announcement as a ‘hoax’ given the delay in construction. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

Delivered by the Victorian Health Building Authority, both projects are on track to start construction next year and be completed in 2026.

Mr Guy dubbed the announcement as a “hoax” given the delay in construction.

“When you go and announce something, making it out that it’s going to happen right now, but the majority is actually being funded in two to three years – that’s just leading people on,” he said.

“(Daniel Andrews) has had eight years in office and now he wants to wait another two or three years.

“This government has been all about public relations, all about the image of the Premier.

“It’s not about Victorians and real solutions to their problems.

“That’s what people particularly in growth areas are really sick of and rightly so.”

Mr Foley said the expansions will help ease pressure on the existing emergency departments for the hospitals’ dedicated doctors and nurses.

“By doubling capacity at the emergency department at Casey and Werribee Mercy hospitals, we’re helping healthcare staff treat more people, save lives and keep people healthy,” he said.

“These expansions are going to help take pressure off nearby emergency departments and make it easier for ambulances to get back on the road.”