Sunshine Hospital was a big winner in last week’s state budget.
The hospital will receive $29.6 million for a new emergency department, which will significantly boost its capacity to provide services.
The redevelopment will deliver an extra 31 treatment spaces in the emergency department, a separate children’s section, a medical imaging suite and an expanded administration area.
Once complete, the hospital will have capacity to treat an extra 59,000 emergency patients every year.
The children’s section will feature nine treatment spaces and will enable an additional 19,700 children to be treated in the emergency department.
Western Health chief executive Russell Harrison said the redevelopment would help the hospital cater for a growing population.
“This is exciting news for Western Health staff, volunteers and, most importantly, patients,” he said.
“Sunshine Hospital’s existing emergency department has reached capacity.
“With the population of Melbourne’s western suburbs growing at unprecedented rates, our services and facilities continue to be stretched even further.
“This budget funding means our dedicated emergency department staff will be able to provide great and timely care to even more patients across the west.”
Premier Daniel Andrews, on site to make the announcement last week, said the redevelopment would enhance the hospital’s services.
“We want to give local families peace of mind that in an emergency they’ll get the care they need – right on their doorstep,” he said. “A bigger, better Sunshine emergency department will deliver just that.
“With a dedicated area just for kids, parents can be confident that if the worst happens, their child will get the expert care and attention they need.”
Brimbank mayor Margaret Giudice welcomed the announcement, but said more needed to be done to prevent illness and disease.
She called on the state government to increase support programs throughout Brimbank.
“We welcome the investment at Sunshine Hospital for new emergency facilities,” she said. “As Brimbank has significantly higher rates of chronic illness and disease, this service will be critically important for our community.
“We would have also liked to see more investment in preventing illness and disease as well.
“Many chronic diseases share the same contributing risk factors such as obesity, poor nutrition and low physical activity, psychological distress, harmful behaviours such as alcohol, smoking, gambling, and are indicators of disadvantage.
