Community speaks on Footscray's new hospital

Please note: As of 1 February 2021, the Victorian Health and Human Services Building Authority (VHHSBA) became the Victorian Health Building Authority (VHBA).

A report capturing the community’s input into the development of the new Footscray Hospital has been published.

The New Footscray Hospital Consultation Report: the new people’s hospital provides a snapshot of over 1,000 pieces of feedback gathered through an extensive engagement process undertaken by the Victorian Health and Human Services Building Authority (VHHSBA) with the local community and key stakeholders.

By engaging with the community and working closely with the New Footscray Hospital Community Consultative Committee, VHHSBA has sought their ideas and views on a broad range of issues including outdoor spaces, indoor spaces, wayfinding and the vision and aspirations of the community.

The need for green space, the use of natural light, links to public transport and a hospital that complements and enhances the local environment were just some of the ideas that were heard throughout the consultation process.

The report will help inform the development of proposals for the design, construction, finance and maintenance of the new Footscray Hospital. By understanding the ideas, priorities and concerns of Melbourne’s inner west community, those delivering the new hospital will be better placed to design and build a new hospital for Footscray that reflects the community it serves.

The new Footscray Hospital will be built on the corner of Geelong and Ballarat Roads and replace the ageing Footscray Hospital on Gordon Street, which was built in the 1950s.

Expected to open in 2025, the new 504-bed hospital will cut wait times and allow almost 15,000 additional patients to be treated and almost 20,000 additional people to be seen by the emergency department each year.

There will be further opportunities for community input as this important project progresses.

What’s next

The project is on track to appoint a successful consortium in 2020. Construction is scheduled to commence in late 2020, with the new Footscray Hospital to open its doors in 2025.

To learn more about the project, and how you can be involved, visit the new Footscray Hospital project page.