Tate Papworth
Sunshine’s health system is set for a major boost with the introduction of the suburb’s first private hospital early next year.
The hospital will be rolled out in a number of stages with the first to include a 30-bed medical and surgical ward with four high dependency beds, a 21-bed dedicated private mental health inpatient unit, four operating theatres and an endoscopy suite.
The $100 million six-storey medical facility will focus on the treatment of anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorders including inpatient and outpatient support programs and will be located on Furlong Road, opposite Sunshine Hospital.
Australian Unity manager of healthcare property Chris Smith said Sunshine was the obvious choice for the hospital.
“There is absolutely no question that we currently have an under-supply of private hospital capacity in the area”, Mr Smith said.
“We know that the older population in Western Melbourne is forecast to grow by 153 per cent by 2036, compared with 96 per cent in the rest of the state.
“We also know that more than a quarter of Western Melbourne’s population have private health insurance, and its two existing private hospitals currently cater to 83,560 privately insured taxpayers per facility.”
Mr Smith said the hospital would also provide benefits beyond health care.
“It’s clear Sunshine’s new private hospital will play an essential role in job creation as we put in place measures to stimulate the Victorian economy and transition out of COVID lock-downs.
“As the public health system grapples with long waiting lists and increased demand, it is important that Melbourne’s West has public and private health systems working together to provide the community with optimal care,” Mr Smith said.
Expansion plans for the private hospital envisage a future 120 bed medical and surgical inpatient unit and a further four operating theatres to complement stage one.
Construction on the new Sunshine Private Hospital is scheduled to commence before the middle of calendar year 2021.
