Lily D’AMBROSIO (Mill Park – Minister for Climate Action, Minister for Energy and Resources, Minister for the State Electricity Commission) (09:41): I am delighted to speak about the brand new Mernda community hospital, which will be opening this Monday 24 November, delivered by the Allan Labor government. This investment is bringing world-class care closer to home for our northern suburbs, including for constituents in my electorate of Mill Park. This new community public hospital will make an enormous difference. It means parents will not have to travel far for paediatric care, women can access dedicated health services locally and residents can receive treatment, including public dental, pathology services, imaging services and a compounding pharmacy. It will also ease pressure on the Northern Hospital in Epping, meaning it can focus on critical care, complex health issues and surgeries, emergencies and trauma. Importantly, this project is supporting local jobs in health, giving residents more opportunities to work closer to home, reducing commutes and freeing up more time for the family. Services will open progressively under Northern Health’s careful transition plan: from 24 November, public dental, paediatrics, allied health, pathology and a compounding pharmacy; in January, dialysis and community mental health; and in March, urgent care and imaging services will conclude the transition. When I have been on the phones or doorknocking residents in my electorate, there has been real excitement, particularly from residents in South Morang, who will now have these fantastic services just up the road. The Mernda community hospital is a major win for local families.