New Footscray Hospital another step closer to opening

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – A new era in healthcare for Melbourne’s west is nearly here as construction of the $1.5 billion Footscray Hospital approaches completion, with doors set to open to patients in February 2026.

Minister for Health Mary-Anne Thomas and Minister for Health Infrastructure Melissa Horne visited the new hospital last week to mark the next phase of this massive project.

More than 4,500 staff members will now commence 22,000 hours of training on the new hospital’s advanced features and technologies. This will include 200 specialised staff who will participate in 26 clinical simulation exercises to test critical care processes in the new hospital setting.

To ensure the hospital’s hardworking medical staff can provide treatment from day one, more than 4,000 pieces of clinical and operational equipment will be transferred to the new site in a coordinated process designed to minimise disruption to patients and ensure each department is set up to deliver care without delay.

A dedicated team of 10 pharmacists will carry out more than 1,200 hours of preparation to order, install, and stock medication in the central pharmacy, and 180 rooms will be stocked with medical supplies.

The new hospital includes a 12-storey main inpatient unit, four additional buildings, and 16 operating theatres across the more than 180,000 square metre site –equivalent to nine MCGs.

Once fully operational, the hospital will have more than 500 beds – an increase of 200 beds – to treat approximately 15,000 additional patients and support an additional 20,000 emergency department presentations each year, catering for Melbourne’s growing west.

Existing services such as emergency care – including a new Mental Health and Alcohol and Other Drugs Hub – along with surgical, intensive and coronary care, mental health and other support services will transition to the new site.

The new Footscray Hospital will also house Victoria’s first fully public pathology service featuring a state-of-the-art laboratory that will support Western Health’s entire hospital network.

It is part of ongoing work to expand and reform Victoria’s public pathology system to deliver faster, fairer, and high-quality diagnostic care, and better patient outcomes, at hospitals right across the state.

The Plenary Group-led Plenary Health is delivering the new Footscray Hospital in partnership with the Victorian Government and Western Health. The hospital is on track to be complete late this year and the shift of existing patients to the new hospital will occur over a 24-hour period in February.

Minister for Health Mary-Anne Thomas

“This state-of-the-art hospital is an investment in the health and wellbeing of Melbourne’s west, as well as our dedicated healthcare staff – helping them deliver world-class care, closer to home for thousands of local families.

“The new Footscray Hospital will transform health care in Melbourne’s west, with our first fully public pathology service to deliver faster, fairer and high-quality diagnostic care – ensuring a better experience for patients.”

Minister for Health Infrastructure Melissa Horne

“The new Footscray Hospital is one of the largest health infrastructure projects in Victoria’s history — a $1.5 billion investment that will reshape how health care is delivered in Melbourne’s west for generations to come.

“With construction on track for completion later this year, we’re now preparing for the important and complex transition to the new site, from staff training to testing, to moving equipment and stocking rooms with supplies.”

Member for Footscray Katie Hall

“This is a once-in-a-generation project for our community – it will ensure we can meet demand for the growing west and means families can get the care they need closer to home.”

Member for Laverton Sarah Connolly

“The brand new Footscray Hospital is a gamechanger for the west – bringing world-class care to our doorstep and supporting hundreds of jobs and opportunities in healthcare.”