Brimbank’s baby boom will soon be easier to manage, as the state government invest $200 million to build the much-anticipated Western Women’s and Children’s Hospital.
The 2015-16 state budget includes funding to build a new hospital for women and children on the Sunshine Hospital site, with preliminary work to start in the next 12 months.
The new facility will provide 237 beds, 39 special care nursery cots, four theatres and additional clinics, and a children’s hospital modelled on the Royal Children’s Hospital.
The wards would all come under one roof in a five-storey centre that would link up with the existing hospital.
Sunshine Hospital has the third-highest number of births of any Victorian hospital, after the two dedicated women’s hospitals. More than 5000 babies were delivered at Sunshine Hospital last year.
It is estimated that by 2026 there will be more than 7000 births at the Sunshine Hospital each year.
Health Minister Jill Hennessy said the high birth volume means it’s vital that Melbourne’s west is able to cope with this future increased demand.
“We are building and expanding hospitals to ensure that Victorians can get the care they need closer to home,” Ms Hennessy said.
Main construction of the hospital will take place in the following two years, with the facility slated to open by the end of 2018.
St Albans MP Natalie Suleyman said the “fantastic and much-needed” new facility will create jobs over the next few years.
“It will be a big boost to the local economy, by both giving locals jobs and bringing people to the area,” Ms Suleyman said.
Before last year’s state election, now-Premier Daniel Andrews said the special care nursery would include space for a neonatal intensive care unit in the future, while the new hospital would cater for an extra 2000 births a year.
Mr Andrews said it would free up theatre space and beds at Sunshine Hospital so it could perform up to 7000 more operations each year and support other vital services.
The state government have also put aside $85 million for the redevelopment and expansion of Werribee Mercy Hospital, building six extra operating theatres and 64 new inpatient beds, including eight critical care beds.
