Thursday, 18 June 2026

 Sarah CONNOLLY (Laverton) (17:18): (1724) My adjournment is for the Minister for Health, and the action I seek is that the minister update me on the opening of the new emergency department at Werribee Mercy Hospital. Well, folks, we are well and truly on our way to opening this major expansion of one of the most critical hospitals in Melbourne’s west. This project is part of a $280 million package to expand emergency departments across our growing suburbs, and let me tell you, it is going to make a world of difference. Once fully operational, this project will deliver a doubling of treatment spaces, from 33 to 67, four new resuscitation bays, 16 short-stay beds and 36 emergency-care cubicles. What this means is that the hospital will be able to see another 25,000 patients in emergency care each and every single year once fully operational. When we are talking about patients that need imminent care or treatment, that is a major improvement. I will not talk it down, like some of those in our local community tend to do. This is significant investment in Wyndham.

In addition to this, this year’s budget commits another $95 million to operationalise the new ED when it opens later this year, ensuring that it has the staff and the resources that it needs to cater for these extra patients. It builds upon the other incredible investments in health infrastructure across Melbourne’s west, including at the Joan Kirner Women’s and Children’s Hospital, which we opened in 2019, the new Footscray Hospital, which is up and running, the Point Cook community hospital, which is taking shape as we speak, and let us not forget the new Melton Hospital, where major construction works have kicked off. Only Labor invests in the things that we need in Melbourne’s west, and only Labor governments will invest in the things that matter when it comes to strengthening our public health system. That is why I would greatly welcome an update from the minister on the opening of the new emergency department of Werribee Mercy.