Daniel Andrews pledges $1bn upgrade to major hospitals in Melbourne’s north

The Premier splurged on upgrades to two major hospitals in Melbourne’s north, as health heats up as a key election issue.

Daniel Andrews has promised to spend more than $1bn to upgrade two major hospitals in Melbourne’s north if Labor is re-elected in November.

The Premier on Tuesday announced his Hospital Plan for the North, which will include major redevelopments at two of the state’s busiest emergency departments – the Austin Hospital in Heidelberg and the Northern Hospital in Epping.

The Austin Hospital’s emergency department – which has more than 88,000 presentations every year — will undergo a $300m expansion.

The overhaul will include 29 extra emergency treatment spaces and upgrades to the short stay unit, allowing for an extra 30,000 patients to be treated annually.

A new emergency department featuring 70 extra treatment spaces will be built at the Northern Hospital, as well as a new tower with more than 100 extra beds.

Daniel Andrews has promised a new emergency department at the Northern Hospital in Epping. Picture: Tim Carrafa

The Northern Hospital redevelopment will get $770-$855m – its emergency department now treats 109,000 patients every year.

Emergency departments at both hospitals will include dedicated treatment spaces for children and families.

The Premier said both “critical” hospital redevelopments will be completed by 2028.

“The total capacity of these emergency departments will be significantly enhanced,” Mr Andrews said.

“This is $1bn-plus, it’s exactly what’s needed.”

When asked if the government would raise taxes to fund the project, Mr Andrews said he had “no plans to be increasing anything other than” investment in the health sector.

“We’ll keep making commitments and we will consolidate them all into a funded, costed, signed off by Treasury and Finance plan, and that will be presented in the usual way.”

Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas said the project would help ease pressure on two of the busiest emergency departments in the state.

Minister for Health Mary-Anne Thomas and Premier Daniel Andrews. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

“This announcement today, to expand the emergency department here at the Austin, to completely redevelop the emergency department at the Northern Hospital – Victoria, if not Australia’s, busiest emergency department - and of course to build a new tower for inpatient care at the Northern … is a clear demonstration that a re-elected Andrews Labor government will continue to do what matters to the people of Melbourne’s north.”

It comes as health heats up as a key issue ahead of the November state election.

The state government on Sunday pledged more than $1bn to expand Maroondah Hospital in Ringwood East, one day after the opposition committed $400m to the same project.

The Liberal Party has promised $450m for the state’s embattled emergency call-taking system, ESTA, and a new $900m Royal Children’s Hospital campus for Werribee.

The Andrews government, meanwhile, has promised 64 extra beds for Wonthaggi hospital, a new birthing complex and an outpatient clinic if Labor is re-elected in November.

Originally published as Daniel Andrews pledges $1bn upgrade to major hospitals in Melbourne’s north