Labor will build the Western Women’s and Children’s Hospital in Sunshine if elected on November 29

LABOR has announced it will spend $200 million building the Western Women’s and Children’s Hospital in Sunshine if elected.

Daniel Andrews visits Sunshine Hospital during his election campaigning of Victoria. Daniel and Federal Opposition Leader Bill Shorten meet up with Olivera Pesic and her son Maksim Pesic in the Special Care Nursery. Picture; Tony Gough

LABOR has announced it will spend $200 million building the Western Women’s and Children’s Hospital in Sunshine if elected.

Labor Leader Daniel Andrews made the announcement at the Sunshine Hospital this morning, alongside Federal Labor Leader Bill Shorten.

Mr Andrews said the hospital would create 2000 jobs in construction, 500 jobs at the hospital and allow for an extra 2000 births a year.

The five-storey hospital would have 237 beds, 39 special care nursery cots and four theatres.

Mr Andrews said it would free up theatre space and beds at the existing Sunshine Hospital, enabling 7000 more operations each year.

“Given the growth we’ve seen in the past few years, it’s important to help Sunshine Hospital and Western Health write the next chapter,” he said.

“It’s the sort of investment that only occurs under a Labor Government.”

“It’s important to invest in the system close to home.”

Mr Andrews said the children’s section would be based on the design of the Royal Children’s Hospital in Parkville.

He said if elected, he would expect the hospital to be “ready and open by the end of 2018.”

Sunshine Hospital performs the third highest number of births of any Victorian hospital (after the two dedicated women’s hospitals).