The Regional Health Infrastructure Fund (RHIF), valued at $790 million overall, provides vital government funding to rural and regional health services and agencies across Victoria. This ensures these services can continue to provide safe and efficient care to local communities.
Established in 2016, the fund is the largest program of its type in Victoria and was created to improve:
Artist impression of the new Footscray Hospital
The more than $1.5 billion new Footscray Hospital is one of the state’s largest ever health infrastructure projects.
The new hospital will support the increasing demand from Melbourne’s booming western suburbs, ensuring families can get the care they need close to home.
Locals will benefit from shorter wait times and there will be reduced pressure on nearby hospitals. With an increase of nearly 200 beds, the new hospital will treat approximately 15,000 additional patients and enable around 20,000 more people to be seen by the emergency department each year.
Lucy Cole, Executive Project Director new Footscray Hospital‘It’s incredible to see such a major project take shape in my own backyard. I know from personal experience how much it means for families in the west to have access to great healthcare close to home. This new hospital means less travel and access to top level healthcare facilities.’
The new Footscray Hospital is on track to be completed in late 2025.
Learn more about the new Footscray Hospital.
Artist impression of the new Melton Hospital.
The $900 million new Melton Hospital is set to be completed in 2029, with site preparation works now underway.
There’ll be a 24-hour emergency department, at least 274 beds, an intensive care unit, maternity and neonatal services, mental health services, radiology services and ambulatory care.
Once completed, the new hospital will have the capacity to treat 130,000 patients each year and see almost 60,000 patients in the emergency department.
Learn more about the new Melton Hospital.
Artist impression of the Werribee Mercy Hospital emergency department
Once complete, the expanded emergency department at the Werribee Mercy Hospital will allow the treatment of an extra 25,000 patients each year. This will double current capacity.
The expansion will increase treatment spaces from 33 to 67. This includes four resuscitation bays, 16 short stay beds and 36 emergency care cubicles as well as a behavioural assessment room – meaning more locals can access the emergency care and treatment they need, closer to home.
The project is on track to be completed in 2026.
Learn more about the Werribee Mercy Hospital emergency department expansion.
The exterior of Sunbury Community Hospital
The Sunbury Community Hospital is well and truly coming to life. The modern, light-filled dialysis and oncology spaces began treating patients in September 2024.
Managed by Western Health, the Sunbury Community Hospital will be an expansion of the current Sunbury Day Hospital in Macedon Street.
Once complete, the Sunbury Community Hospital will provide a range of services, including:
The project will help take pressure off nearby major hospitals, including Sunshine and Northern hospitals, and enable more people to manage their health needs closer to home.
Learn more about the Sunbury Community Hospital.
Design of the Point Cook Community Hospital
The Point Cook Community Hospital will help take pressure off nearby major hospitals, including Footscray and Sunshine hospitals, and enable more people to manage their health needs closer to home.
Strong links to specialists, community health providers and social support services will ensure more seamless follow-up treatment and support for those who require complex care.
The Point Cook Community Hospital in Dunnings Road, managed by Western Health, will be a small public hospital providing a range of important everyday health services including chemotherapy, dialysis, and public dental.
Learn more about the Point Cook Community Hospital.
Artist impression of the new Maidstone Ambulance Branch
Melbourne’s west is one of the fastest growing regions in Australia.
With a large and diverse population, the area is forecast to account for 21% of the total population growth of Victoria between 2021 and 2046.
That’s why the Victorian Government is investing in health infrastructure, upgrades and equipment in some of the busiest areas.
We’re busy building health, mental health and aged care facilities in the area.
See how they will benefit western suburbs locals.
We administer grant programs on behalf of the Victorian Government to assist health, mental health and aged care services.
Grants help health services to provide quality treatment and services to meet the growing needs of Victorian communities.
This investment supports:
Welcome to the latest new Footscray Hospital (NFH) project newsletter. In this issue:
Four years ago, construction began on the new Footscray Hospital site. Now in its final year, it’s an exciting time for the community in the west as hospital and university staff, volunteers and students ready to move into the new facility. Fit out works are almost done, with internal testing underway.
The first greenery arrived onsite, with Footscray Primary School students getting involved in the planting. Landscaping is progressing, with courtyards and external spaces nearing completion.
At the peak of construction, 1,500 workers were on-site, now reduced to 600. Over six million work hours have been completed. The pedestrian footbridge connecting the hospital to Victoria University is near completion, with final glazing underway.
Hospital intersection upgrades at Ballarat Road and Geelong Road entrances are being staged. The community will be kept informed about impacts.
Final glazing is underway on the new Footscray Hospital footbridge.
Hospital Street's completed timber ceiling is a unique design feature.
Native tree and shrub planting has transformed the centre hospital precinct.
Installation of equipment and medical fixtures, including hospital beds, has begun.
Testing and commissioning ensures the hospital is fully operational for patients. This includes final cleaning, air testing, staff training, and medication stocking.
Students from Footscray Primary School rolled up their sleeves to help with planting in the central green space at the new Footscray Hospital.
Incorporating art in hospital spaces enhances patient wellbeing by promoting warmth, calmness, and positive distraction.
Ethiopian-born, Melbourne-based artist Olana Janfa will create community-led artworks for the new Footscray Hospital precinct.
Olana will lead creative workshops with the community to create 80 original works based on the themes of hope, strength and family.
Incorporating art in hospital spaces enhances patient wellbeing by promoting warmth, calmness, and positive distraction.
Olana Janfa, artist'When I first arrived in Australia, Footscray welcomed me with warmth, kindness and a sense of belonging.
The sense of connection I have found here is something I strive to replicate in my works, so that patients, visitors and staff of the new Footscray Hospital feel just as welcomed and valued.’
We recently spoke with community members at the Yarraville Festival about ideas for items to include in your new Footscray Hospital time capsule.
What do you feel represents Footscray and the West today?
Email us at nfhproject@health.vic.gov.au.
Do you have a passion for supporting the well-being of patients, staff and visitors?
Compass Group, who provide services to the new Footscray Hospital is recruiting for various roles.
Find out more on the Compass Group website.
Hundreds took part in WalkWest, hosted by the Western Health Foundation on Sunday 23 February.
Key partners including Plenary Health raised over $150,000 to go towards robotic surgery machines for when the new Footscray Hospital opens.
In the cultural melting pot of Melbourne’s west, Western Health’s interpreting team often field over 3,5000 requests for support each month.
At the helm of the service is Italian-born Lyn Bongiovanni who has worked at Footscray Hospital for 17 years.
Lyn says her empathy for those facing cultural or linguistic barriers was sparked as a small child when her family relocated from Sicily to Australia when she was eight.
Lyn Bongiovanni, Manager, Interpreting Services, Western Health‘Our main role is to facilitate connection. Give patients a voice when they need it most and when they are at their most vulnerable.’
‘I feel like we give patients dignity back to make informed decisions about their healthcare.’
The site of the new hospital was once home for young women working in local factories.
From 1942 to the 1950s the site was home to Richardson House.
The women living there worked at the Maribyrnong munitions factory, the largest wartime producer of its kind in Australia at the time.
We acknowledge the Wurundjeri people as the Traditional Owners of the lands of the new Footscray Hospital and pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging.
Learn more about the new Footscray Hospital project on our dedicated project page.
You can also contact us by calling the project hotline on (03) 9999 1985, or by emailing nfhenquiry@health.vic.gov.au.
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