Minister for Health Infrastructure Mary-Anne Thomas and Member for Yan Yean Lauren Kathage toured the City of Whittlesea Community Hospital earlier this month.
The multi-dimensional facade on the facility’s exterior is now complete, designed to ensure that plenty of natural light can fill spaces, and inspired by the Plenty River, indigenous grasslands, and scar trees.
Due for completion in 2025, works are also continuing to progress on the internal fit out for several key spaces, including allied health, oncology, dialysis, and urgent care.
The state-of-the-art community health facility is built with over 1400 cubic metres of concrete, 140 tonnes of steel reinforcement, and more than 270 tonnes of structural steel.
Community hospitals will provide local access to a range of public services, including allied health, such as physiotherapy and speech pathology, after-hours care with pathology and imaging, women’s health and family planning, as well as community mental health support and alcohol and drug assessments.
They will also provide services like day surgery, renal dialysis, chemotherapy, chronic disease management, and public dental.
Managed by Northern Health and operating with extended hours, the hospital will provide a wide range of essential health services tailored to the community’s needs.
This includes care for everyday injuries like bumps, cuts, and bruises, as well as more specialised services such as chemotherapy, chronic disease management, and women’s health.
The City of Whittlesea Community Hospital is a key project delivered by the State Government and the Victorian Health Building Authority, in partnership with Northern Health and builder Lendlease.
Ms Kathage said its completion would provide convenient healthcare access for all.
“The completion of the facade and internal fit out progressing are exciting milestones—with this purpose-built Community Hospital set to ensure locals can access the health services they need, when they need it,” she said.
Ms Thomas said the community hospital would help alleviate waiting times, providing faster access to essential healthcare services.
“Community hospitals, like what we’re building here in the City of Whittlesea, will help take pressure off major public hospitals like the Northern, supporting our dedicated healthcare workforce and helping us to improve treatment and waiting times.”
