The new $200 million Women’s and Children’s Hospital to be built in Sunshine will be named in honour of the state’s first female premier, the late Joan Kirner.
Daniel Andrews will make the announcement at an event on Sunday marking 25 years since Ms Kirner was elected premier.
“Joan was an absolute inspiration to all of us and we want to honour her and her legacy,” Mr Andrews said. “The Joan Kirner Women’s and Children’s Hospital will deliver vital services to families in Melbourne’s west, a community Joan truly loved.”
Labor’s promise for a new hospital to meet growing demand in the city’s west comes amid figures suggesting the number of births at Sunshine Hospital is likely to exceed 7000 a year by 2026.
Once built, the Joan Kirner Women’s and Children’s Hospital will allow more women in the western suburbs to give birth and access services closer to home, with 20 maternity delivery rooms, 237 beds, 39 special care nursery cots, four theatres and additional clinics.
Expressions of interest are currently open to appoint a builder and construction is due to start next year.
Health Minister Jill Hennessy said it was a “fitting tribute to a woman who fought for women and children her whole life”.
Ms Kirner died in June at the age of 76 after a long battle with throat cancer.
She was elected to Parliament in 1982 and became the state’s first female premier in 1990 after the resignation of John Cain.
While she lost office two years later against Jeff Kennett’s Coalition, she remained active in public life and is remembered for her work in promoting women’s rights, public education, and social justice.
