Sunday, 23 October, 2016 PUTTING THE HEALTH OF WOMEN AND CHILDREN FIRST IN ’S WEST

Six hundred jobs will be created in Melbourne’s rapidly growing West with construction on the Andrews Labor Government’s new $200 million Joan Kirner Women’s and Children’s Hospital now underway.

Premier joined Minister for Health Jill Hennessy, Member for St Albans Natalie Suleyman and construction workers today at Sunshine Hospital to break the first ground on earthworks for the new hospital.

The Labor Government is getting on with building a dedicated Women’s and Children’s Hospital to boost maternity and paediatric services for Melbourne’s rapidly growing western suburbs – a key election promise.

The Joan Kirner Women’s and Children’s Hospital will include 20 maternity delivery rooms, 39 special care nursery cots, four operating theatres and additional clinics.

With a total of 237 beds in new and refurbished areas, the project will deliver an increase of 43 maternity and paediatric beds – giving Western Health the room they need to grow and meet future demand, with the numbers of births at Sunshine Hospital expected to exceed 7,000 a year by 2026.

This modern new hospital will mean more women in the west will be able to give birth closer to home and have better access to world-class children’s services on their doorstep.

Sunshine Hospital was first built by a Labor Government in 1990 and opened by John Cain. It was made possible with land secured by the Whitlam Government.

The Andrews Labor Government is continuing this proud record of investing in the west with the new Joan Kirner Hospital on track to be complete by late 2018.

Community consultation and detailed design work is also underway, with doctors and nurses using ‘mock’ rooms to shape how the future hospital wards will look and function.

Quotes attributable to Premier Daniel Andrews

“We're putting people first with this new hospital - meaning more women and children in the west will get the care they need, when they need it, closer to home.”

“Today marks a major milestone in this vital project, getting construction underway and creating 600 new jobs for Victorians in the process.”

Quotes attributable to Minister for Health Jill Hennessy

“Joan fought passionately to grow health services for families in Melbourne’s west – and that is exactly what this new hospital will deliver.”

“Women and children in Melbourne’s west will no longer have to travel far from home to access the world class care they deserve.”

Quotes attributable to Member for St Albans Natalie Suleyman

“The Joan Kirner Hospital will meet the needs of families in one of the fastest growing areas in Australia.”

Media Contact: Georgia Brumby 0428 698 185 | [email protected]