By Afraa Kori
Designs for the new Whittlesea Community Hospital have been revealed and site preparation works are now under way.
Premier Daniel Andrews visited Mernda on Thursday, October 13, to unveil the designs for the hospital, which will be built on Plenty Road.
The hospital is one of 10 community hospitals the state government is building across the state. Another community hospital is planned for Craigieburn.
The Whittlesea Community Hospital will be operated by Northern Health and will provide a range of integrated community health and specialist services free of charge, including after-hours care for non-emergency medical issues like bumps, cuts and bruises.
Community members, Northern Health, Whittlesea council and other key groups helped shape the look and feel of the facility through the project’s Community Consultative Committee.
Community priorities incorporated in the designs included accessibility features and retaining a connection to nature, including indigenous artwork and planting.
Lendleader has been appointed as the managing contractor for the project, with construction to start later this year.
Mr Andrews said the increase of health services is good news for Whittlesea Community and emergency departments at major hospitals.
“Just a fantastic asset that takes pressure off Northern hospital and recognises that it’s really hard to find a bulk billing doctor, so this gives families a free option that’s in their local communities,” he said.
“We’re making sure families in the northern suburbs get the care they need when they need – and taking pressure off emergency departments at major hospitals at the same time.”
