Maribyrnong Council backs Western Health bid for a major redevelopment

MARIBYRNONG Council will lobby both major parties for a $550 million redevelopment of Western Health ahead of the upcoming state election.

Neurologist stabbed earlier this morning at Western Hospital Footscray.

MARIBYRNONG Council will lobby both major parties for a $550 million redevelopment of Western Health ahead of the upcoming state election.

The council has thrown its support behind the health provider’s plan for a new emergency department and inpatient precinct at Western Hospital to meet future demand by 2026.

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The mayor and deputy mayor will request a meeting with Opposition Leader Daniel Andrews and health spokesman Gavin Jennings and will write to Premier Denis Napthine and Health Minister David Davis to apply further pressure.

The ED at Western Hospital under the proposal would more than double in size and be relocated to provide a seamless patient journey from emergency to inpatient care.

The south block, which has many inpatient beds and was part of the original hospital from 1953, would be demolished and replaced.

Council community wellbeing director Arden Joseph said over the coming decade, emergency care in Footscray was forecast to exceed 40,000 cases a year.

“The expansion and replacement of the inpatient beds, alongside ambulatory services, will secure the future of an acute hospital in Footscray with the full set of services including intensive care (and) theatres … providing these departments with adequate support and feeder services,” he said.

Medicare Local figures show Maribyrnong has some of the poorest health rates in the state.

Ashley Gardiner, a spokesman for Health Minister David Davis, said the Department of Health had been working with Western Health to develop long-term infrastructure plans.