In short:
A $95 million emergency department expansion at Werribee Mercy Hospital is set to open in 2026, doubling capacity and increasing patient intake across Melbourne’s west.
Funding For Hospital Expansion
The Allan Labor Government has outlined early health spending ahead of the 2026–27 State Budget, including funding tied to the expansion of Werribee Mercy Hospital.
The government says $95 million will go towards opening the hospital’s upgraded emergency department later in 2026. The expansion is set to double capacity, increasing treatment spaces to 67.
Plans for the upgraded emergency department include six dedicated spaces for patients presenting with mental health, alcohol and other drug-related issues, along with separate but co-located zones for paediatric care, acute treatment and short-stay patients.
Once fully operational, the expanded department is expected to handle an additional 25,000 patients each year, aimed at easing pressure on emergency services in Melbourne’s west.
The announcement also includes broader maternity and specialist care measures across the region.
This includes 32 new post-natal beds, with a 24-bed ward to be delivered at Sunshine Hospital, supporting up to 3,300 more women each year.
Further measures include an additional 1,500 sonography appointments at Joan Kirner Women’s and Children’s Hospital, along with more special care nursery cots for babies with complex needs.
The government says the funding is aimed at responding to population growth and rising demand in the west. However, detailed timelines for full delivery and staffing remain unclear.
The announcement comes as hospitals across Melbourne’s outer suburbs continue to face sustained pressure, particularly in emergency departments.
