The City of Melton is calling on all sides of politics to Invest in the West and Build Melton Hospital.
Melton City Council, along with passionate residents, community groups and health professionals today launched the Build Melton Hospital campaign, 100 days out from the Victorian State Election on Saturday 24 November.
City of Melton Mayor, Cr Bob Turner, said building a public hospital in Melton was a top priority for Council in the lead up to the election.
“The City of Melton is one of Victoria’s fastest growing communities,” Cr Turner said. “In the next 30 years, our population will double to more than 400,000, making Melton as big as Canberra is today.
“A growing community needs a hospital. Building a public hospital in Melton will support our growing community, provide lifelong health care and create jobs, investment and opportunity.
“Melton Hospital will provide lifelong health care for residents of the City of Melton and surrounding communities, while reducing the pressure on hospitals in Sunshine, Footscray and Bacchus Marsh.
“The City of Melton’s nearest major hospitals are the Western Hospital in Footscray – more than 30km away – or Sunshine where, according to Government data, patients in emergency wait up to two hours longer to see a doctor than at other hospitals.”
Cr Turner said an independent analysis of travel times and existing hospital services shows that the Melton Hospital will service residents of an area that stretches from Werribee to Woodend, and Ballan to Deer Park.
The City of Melton is asking the State Government, Opposition and minor parties to commit to building a 24-hour, full-service hospital in the suburb of Cobblebank, 4km southeast of central Melton, south of the Western Freeway and close to the future Toolern train station on the Melton line.
A full-service, 24-hour hospital typically includes services such as an emergency department, cardiac and intensive care, acute surgical facilities and diagnostic services.
Cr Turner said the hospital would create hundreds of jobs during construction and many upon opening, including
hundreds of doctors, nurses, allied health professionals, support and administrative staff.
“It’s time for Spring Street to Invest in the West and Build Melton Hospital.”