Wednesday, 12 November 2025

 Sarah CONNOLLY (Laverton) (14:42): My question is for the Minister for Health and Minister for Ambulance Services. There is a lot happening when it comes to our health system in Melbourne’s west: we are building the $1.5 billion new Footscray Hospital, we are doubling the size of Werribee Mercy’s emergency department and major construction has started on the new Melton hospital, and now we are ensuring that our emergency departments are getting the funding support they need. That means $4.5 million for Sunshine Hospital, hiring more doctors, nurses and allied health workers to improve treatment in the emergency department and reduce offloading times for our hardworking ambulance services and paramedics. Werribee Mercy is also receiving $1.5 million to establish the fast-track model of care in its emergency department – an emergency department that I am proud to say is currently under redevelopment as our $110 million ED expansion aims to double the capacity at Werribee to treat over 25,000 patients per year. So my question is this: how will this funding support patients from my electorate of Laverton who seek care at either Sunshine Hospital or Werribee Mercy Hospital?