A re-elected Andrews Labor Government will deliver better care for families in our northern suburbs with a billion dollar Hospital Plan for the North, with upgrades at the Austin Hospital at Heidelberg and the Northern Hospital at Epping meaning more than 85,000 extra patients can receive treatment.

This announcement underpins the incredible work healthcare workers do each and every day for the Victorian
community and supports them by delivering leading infrastructure to help them do their jobs.

The Austin Hospital - once planned to be closed by the Kennett Liberal National Government, is Victoria’s fourth busiest Emergency Department. From this announcement, the hospital will benefit from 29 extra emergency treatment spaces, boosting capacity so more patients can be treated, and treated faster.
This funding pledge is reinforced by the construction of a Community Hospital in Diamond Creek to continue to improve local access to healthcare.

The hospital will be operated by Austin Health and will deliver leading healthcare, close to home and when people need it.

At the Northern Hospital, the state’s busiest Emergency Department will receive $770-855 million in investment to deliver a new emergency department fit for purpose to meet the growing community’s needs.
The Government understands the healthcare needs of this state, directly investing in the health infrastructure that will support every Victorian to receive the care they need, when they need it.

Labor is doing what matters – delivering hospitals, the healthcare and workforce Victoria needs.

Quotes attributed to Vicki Ward MP

“Our local community not only loves the Austin, we are proud of this amazing hospital and it’s incredible workforce. We trust the Austin and know that we will get the best possible care there, thanks to dedicated nurses, doctors and staff."

"This investment builds on the important investment in our local community hospital at Diamond Creek; a larger Emergency centre with an additional 29 emergency beds at the Austin will help people get urgent treatment faster, in a health workplace that reflects the high value we put on healthcare workers."

"The additional funding at the Northern not only supports the needs of the growing community, it will also help take pressure off the Austin Hospital"