WHITTLESEA: Plans unveiled for Northern Hospital Ambulatory Care
The State Government says that is another step closer to delivering better emergency care at the Northern Hospital in Epping, revealing a first look at the designs for a new Ambulatory Care Centre.
Melissa Horne, Minister for Health Infrastructure (pictured), announced the project will make up stage one of a massive $813 million hospital redevelopment – with Kane Constructions named as builder ahead of works beginning in early 2025.
The four-storey standalone building will become a central hub and permanent home for outpatient ambulatory health services, clinical and outpatient health services, as well as administration – ensuring the hospital can deliver the best possible healthcare to the city’s growing northern suburbs now and into the future.
The redevelopment’s second stage will then see the delivery of a new Emergency Department and Inpatient Unit tower, with both stages set to create up to 2,200 jobs during construction.
Set to be located on Cooper St, the new emergency department will include a mental health and alcohol and other drugs hub, dedicated acute behaviour treatment space, paediatric treatment zone, and new inpatient beds.
Once complete, it will increase the number of treatment spaces to almost 200 and support an extra 30,000 emergency patients every year.
The Northern Hospital redevelopment is part of the $1.6 billion Health Infrastructure Delivery Fund, established to ensure the state’s three busiest metropolitan hospitals – including Austin Hospital and Monash Medical Centre – have the latest infrastructure to continue providing world-class patient care and treatment.
These revamped hospitals will give growing local communities better access to each hospital’s emergency department, in-patient care, and dedicated wards for maternal and paediatric needs.
“Our massive redevelopment of the Northern Hospital is a significant investment that will future proof healthcare in Melbourne’s growing northern suburbs – delivering more world class healthcare for locals closer to home,” said Ms Horne.
Thomastown MLA Bronwyn Halfpenny said: “This expansion of the Northern Hospital is about meeting the growing needs of our community. We’re making sure families in the north have access to the very best care, right where they live.”
Mill Park MLA Lily D’Ambrosio said: “Stage one of this project will deliver vital support for families in our northern suburbs, it will boost access to healthcare, create jobs and boost our local economy.”
Yan Yean MLA Lauren Kathage said: “Having a brand-new Emergency Department means families will receive the very best of modern care in bright and comfortable surroundings, and that is exactly what they deserve.”