The health needs of Melbourne’s rapidly growing northern suburbs will soon be much better met, thanks to a major expansion of the Northern Hospital.
The Victorian Budget 2017/18 will invest $162.7 million to upgrade the hospital, with an increase in operating theatres and additional beds that will allow an estimated 10,000 more patients to be treated each year.
The Stage 2 project will complete a seven storey tower and add 96 new inpatient beds, three operating theatres and more treatment rooms. These new beds will add to the existing 360 multi-day and same-day beds.
There will also be room to grow - with space for the future expansion of cardiology services, cath labs and medical imaging.
The Northern Hospital was neglected by successive Liberal Governments after it opened in 1998.
The last Liberal Government allocated just $29 million for Stage 1 of the expansion – a figure dwarfed by the Andrews Labor Government’s commitment to Stage 2.
The Northern Hospital services more than 365,000 people, with an expected growth rate of 51 per cent up to 2031 set to push the population past 550,000.
Building works are expected to start late next year, and are due to be completed in 2021.
We’re building better hospitals to make sure we have the right services and infrastructure in place in Melbourne’s North, so we can best meet the demands of our rapidly growing community.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Health Jill Hennessy
“We’re expanding the Northern Hospital so we can meet the soaring demand for health care in Melbourne’s rapidly growing northern growth corridor.”
Quotes attributable to Member for Thomastown Bronwyn Halfpenny
“With this new expansion, the Northern Hospital will be able to meet the growing needs of a growing community and restore community confidence in our local health service.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020