Western Health

14/02/2026

Sunlight is more than a design feature. It supports healing. ☀️

An article in today's The Age explores how the new Footscray Hospital has been designed differently, with natural light, green spaces and welcoming areas that support patient wellbeing and recovery.

This is part of our commitment at Western Health to create environments that feel calm, inclusive and community-focused.

Read the full article:
🔗 https://www.theage.com.au/healthcare/the-science-of-sunlight-why-the-new-footscray-hospital-is-built-differently-20260211-p5o1bv.html

The new $1.5 billion hospital is ditching windowless and noisy wards for soundproofed, sunny rooms to slash patients’ recovery times.

11/02/2026

At new Footscray Hospital, you can access the Emergency Department from both 89 Ballarat Road, Footscray and 20 Geelong Road, Footscray from 8 am on Wednesday, 18 February 2026.

To support the safe transfer of patients on 18 February, we’re asking that members of the public don’t visit either the original or new Footscray Hospital on this day, unless they need emergency care.
For more information, please visit westernhealth.org.au/location/new-footscray-hospital

If you need care and it is not an emergency, please consider these alternative pathways to care:

👉 For mild to moderate conditions, consider using the free video-based healthcare service Victorian Virtual Emergency Department at www.vved.org.au

👉 Telephone NURSE-ON-CALL on 1300 60 60 24

👉 Visit the following Priority Primary Care Centres at:

📌 Ground floor, 31 Edgewater Boulevard, Maribyrnong. Ph: (03) 9317 1717


📌 247-251 Station Rd, Melton. Ph: (03) 8746 0262.

📌 421 Ballarat Rd, Sunshine. Ph: (03) 8539 2772.

In a life-threatening medical emergency, please call Triple Zero (000).

04/02/2026

03/02/2026

A sneak peek at the west’s brand-new Hospital 🆕🏥

On Sunday, more than 3,000 community members were treated to a sneak peek of the new Footscray Hospital, including a patient ward and the Emergency Department.

All of us here at Western Health are looking forward to caring for patients in our new Hospital.

At 8am on Wednesday 18 February, the original Footscray Hospital in Gordon Street will close, and the new Footscray Hospital will commence providing patient care. To support the safe transfer of patients, we’re asking that members of the public don’t visit either the current or new Footscray Hospital on Wednesday 18 February, unless they need emergency care.

The address of our new Emergency Department is 20 Geelong Road.

Footscray Hospital Community Open Day was presented by Western Health and Open House Melbourne, with thanks to the Plenary Health consortium including COX, BLP and Tract, Victoria University, Melbourne Australia Footscray Community Arts Australian Tapestry Workshop and the Victorian Government.

29/01/2026

Our new Footscray Hospital will open to patients next month! Our new Emergency Department is looking incredible 🚑🏥

We’re now recruiting for experienced Emergency nurses to join our team.

Find out more and apply: https://careers.wh.org.au/job/Registered-Nurse-Emergency-Services/1328659666/

Share this with a nurse you know!

28/01/2026

🎉 Congratulations to Cr Cuc Lam OAM and Trung-Dzung Le OAM 🎉

Over the Australia Day weekend, two remarkable leaders from our local community were recognised with Medals of the Order of Australia for their enduring service and contribution.

Cr Cuc Lam OAM arrived in Australia as a refugee in 1978 after an extraordinarily difficult journey, carrying little more than a red suitcase - now held in the Museums Victoria collection as a powerful symbol of resilience. Guided by her lived experience, Cuc has been a tireless advocate for inclusion, opportunity and representation, particularly for multicultural women, and continues to inspire future generations to lead, volunteer and give back.

Vietnamese-born entrepreneur, philanthropist and community advocate Trung-Dzung Le OAM arrived in Australia as a refugee in the 1980s. In 1999, he established the Hollywood Nails Group, creating hundreds of jobs across Victoria and supporting migrants, particularly those from refugee backgrounds. A passionate supporter of healthcare and community initiatives, Trung-Dzung has contributed to major projects across Melbourne’s west, including Joan Kirner Women's and Children's, the new Footscray Hospital, and the Western Health Foundation.

Western Health is deeply grateful for the longstanding support, compassion and advocacy shown by both Cuc and Trung-Dzung. Their journeys are powerful reminders of the impact of community leadership, and of giving generously.

Congratulations on these richly deserved honours. 💙

27/01/2026

A sneak peek inside the new Footscray Hospital 🏥👀

23/01/2026

With less than one month to go until opening day, here's what you need to know about the new Footscray Hospital. From parking and public transport to services and support, find out what to expect when you visit. Read more and plan your visit today: https://westernhealth.org.au/location/new-footscray-hospital

15/01/2026

A dignified way to honour a loved one 💙

Western Health is introducing thoughtfully designed bereavement bags to return personal belongings to families after a patient dies.

The bags feature artwork created by Victorian children and community craft groups, offering a gentle human touch at a very difficult time.

They replace standard plastic bags and reflect the care, dignity and respect our teams bring to end-of-life care.

Monique Sammut, Director of Nursing and Midwifery at Bacchus Marsh and within our Aged General Medicine and Subacute Services division, helped bring the bags to Western Health through the Handover HeARTwork charity.

Each bag includes a simple message for families: “our thoughts are with you.”

Learn more https://westernhealth.org.au/news/dignified-remembrance-with-new-bereavement-bags

09/01/2026

Creating connected care teams from day one 🤝

This week, Western Health welcomed our newest medical, nursing, pharmacy and allied health interns and graduates at our second interprofessional orientation.

More than 200 new starters came together across several Western Health sites, including the new Footscray Hospital. By learning together from the start, our graduates build relationships across professions and begin their careers as part of true multidisciplinary teams.

Director Education and Learning Robyn Peel said the program reflects how care is delivered in hospitals every day, with different professions working together to improve patient care.

With shared education sessions, joint grand rounds and study days planned throughout the year, this orientation marks the beginning of a collaborative journey focused on delivering better care for our communities.

💙 To all our newest team members, welcome to Western Health 🫶

06/01/2026