World-class hospital another step closer for Melbourne’s west

Rapid population growth in Melbourne’s western suburbs has meant increasing call on health services for expecting mums and young families. It’s planning for both present and future demand on health care in the west that’s led to the development of the Joan Kirner Women’s and Children’s Hospital in Sunshine.

Named after the much-loved former premier, the new hospital development reached another milestone in April with the ‘topping out’ of the new building. Scheduled to be completed by the end of March next year, the world class hospital will include 32 paediatric beds, 64 obstetric beds, 10 pregnancy ‘day stay’ units, 39 special care nursery cots, an ultrasound unit and a general X-ray room for children.

The Victorian Government has committed $200 million for the project, seen as vital to meet future demands from rapid population growth in the west, especially for maternity and paediatric services. It’s projected that the number of births on-site will exceed 7,000 a year by 2026.

Construction work on the Joan Kirner Hospital has seen 80 jobs created over the course of construction, as well as 12 new apprenticeships and four new trainees.

The government has also announced a $29.6 million investment in developing a new emergency department next door at Sunshine Hospital. Once completed, the facility will have capacity to treat an extra 59,000 emergency patients each year.