The state government has refused to say when it will open the Mernda Community Hospital.
The state budget, handed down in May, included funding to open three community hospitals – Craigieburn, Cranbourne and Phillip Island – which are nearing completion.
No funding was allocated for other community hospitals, including the one at Mernda.
The Mernda Community Hospital was one of 10 community hospital announced by the state government in the lead-up to the 2018 state election.
At the time, the government said construction would begin in 2022 and would be completed in 2024.
Last year, the opening date was revised to late 2025.
The Victorian Health Building Authority website now states the hospital will be completed in 2025 – with no date set for its opening.
The state Opposition has raised concerns the hospital will not open this year.
Northern Metropolitan Liberal MP Wendy Lovell said operational funding – like that assigned to Craigieburn, Cranbourne and Phillip Island community hospitals in the state budget – was needed before the Mernda hospital could open its doors.
“We can’t let the Allan Labor Government abandon Mernda Community Hospital by failing to fund its operation once construction is complete. The catchment area for Mernda hospital includes the fastest growing suburbs in Melbourne, and locals deserve to have their hospital operating as soon as the building is complete,” Ms Lovell said.
Star Weekly asked Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas when the hospital would be allocated operational funding and opened to the community.
In response, a state government spokesperson said the government would have more to say on its opening soon.
The spokesperson did not say when operational funding would be allocated to Mernda.
“Once fully operational the Mernda Community Hospital will provide a range of important everyday health services – taking pressure off nearby major hospitals and helping more people get the care they need close to home,” the spokesperson said.
