Worry over pledge for new Footscray Hospital building

ANGRY medical staff fear the Andrews Government has turned its back on plans for a new Footscray Hospital even as existing buildings crumble.

ANGRY medical staff fear the Andrews Government has turned its back on plans for a new Footscray Hospital even as existing buildings crumble.

In May, the government allocated $50 million for land and promised to announce a site “in the coming months”.

Last week it announced a $562 million redevelopment of Frankston Hospital, in Victoria’s second most marginal seat.

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But it has given no indication of further hospital announcements before the state election in November.

Footscray Hospital is in one of the state’s safest Labor seats.

The Australian Medical Association fears conditions there have deteriorated so badly that the buildings will be condemned. There are holes in corridors and operating theatre floors, ceilings leak, and concrete is cracking throughout the structure.

The Herald Sun has learned “antiquated” boilers used for hot water, heating and the sterilising of medical equipment pose a danger that could force temporary shutdowns.

Angry medical staff fear the Andrews Government has turned its back on plans for a new Footscray Hospital even as existing buildings crumble. Picture: Andy Brownbill

The three asbestos-coated coal-fuelled boilers were converted to gas in recent years, but are now so old that parts cannot be found.

One boiler has been decommissioned and its parts used to keep the others working. But the hospital has no money to replace them if they fail again, and has had to prepare contingency plans for patient care.

AMA Victoria president Associate Professor Julian Rait said the conditions risked compromising patient care.

“It will be the first Melbourne hospital that is condemned,” Prof Rait said.

“The staff are getting concerned that, unless something is done in the next couple of years, it will become unsafe and unserviceable. The quality of care is being maintained for the time being, but only by considerable effort by staff.”

The government is examining three possible locations for a new hospital, including a redevelopment, a co-location with Victoria University’s Ballarat Rd campus, or a site in Maribyrnong.

Sources linked to the project estimate the cost at $1.2-2 billion, depending on the option, but are still waiting to learn which option it will be.

Health Minister Jill Hennessy says a new Footscray Hospital remains a priority. Picture: AAP

Last week’s Frankston Hospital announcement further frustrated senior staff at Western Health.

“Well done to Frankston for getting their money — they are in one of the fastest-growing corridors in Melbourne,” one senior medical staff member said. “But we are in the fastest-growing corridor in Australia — though we are not in a marginal seat.

“They (staff) see it crumbling around them.”

In May, Premier Daniel Andrews said of Footscray Hospital: “This building is showing its age and it needs to be fit for purpose for a modern health system.”

Questioned by the Herald Sun, Health Minister Jill Hennessy said a new Footscray Hospital remained a priority.

But the minister did not provide any timeline.

“We said we would get on with the job of selecting a site for the flagship new Footscray Hospital, and that’s exactly what we’re doing,” she said.

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