Medical imaging equipment lands in the new Footscray Hospital

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – The purpose-built medical imaging department at the new Footscray Hospital has been unveiled with the arrival of its major equipment.

Designed specifically so the windows could be removed, and equipment could be craned in, the advanced Medical Imaging Department will play an important role in diagnosing and treating patients once the new hospital opens.

The new department will include:

• three Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machines
• two Computed Tomography (CT) scanners
• a Single-Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT)-CT scanner
• a Positron Emission Tomography (PET)-CT scanner
• two fluoroscopy machines
• three X-ray machines
• three ultrasound machines.

The emergency department also includes satellite imaging capability for patients needing urgent care including a CT scanner, two X-ray machines and an ultrasound machine

Interventional radiology is now embedded in the perioperative suite – improving procedural integration, pre- and post-op care, and coordination across surgical teams. The new Footscray hospital has dramatically expanded capacity to now include four new interventional suites, a new fleet of mobile fluoroscopy systems and a new fixed system for fluoroscopic and endoscopy procedures.

Enhanced patient care and staff experiences

With high-quality and more efficient imaging, medical staff can better diagnose and treat a range of conditions – from cancer and stroke to trauma and heart disease.

“This isn’t just a bigger department – it’s a complete transformation,” says Renee Mineo, Western Health’s New Footscray Hospital Operations Readiness Lead – Medical Imaging. “We’ll be working with some of the most advanced imaging technology available in Australia.”

The medical imaging department is conveniently located near key clinical areas, including the emergency department. It has also been designed to allow future expansion and the addition of emerging technologies like robotics.

The PET scanner is the first ever at a Western Health facility, meaning patients in Melbourne’s west will no longer have to travel into the city for this crucial service.

“The New Footscray Hospital will feature a PET scanner scheduled to open soon after our move to the new site.  These scanners detect cancer, infections and neurological conditions earlier and more accurately. This is a game-changer for Melbourne’s West, where access to PET/CT has previously required long travel times and inter-hospital coordination.”

Once completed, the new Footscray Hospital will support the increasing demand from Melbourne’s booming western suburbs, ensuring families can get the care they need close to home.

“This expansion is set to deliver a more customised approach, ultimately leading to improved patient care through faster and more accurate diagnoses and treatments. This development represents a major step forward in Western Health’s continual commitment to providing exceptional healthcare services to the community,” says Renee. 

“This investment is about more than technology – it’s about equity, access, sustainability, and giving this diverse community the world-class care they deserve.”

The $1.5 billion new Footscray Hospital, on the corner of Ballarat and Geelong Roads, is scheduled to be completed later this year and will open to patients in February 2026. It is being delivered by the Plenary Group-led Plenary Health consortium, in partnership with the Victorian Health Building Authority, Western Health and Victoria University.