By Violet Li
Casey Hospital has been allocated an extra $35.5 million in the 2024-25 State Budget for its emergency department expansion.
The hospital was promised a share of $236 million in funding with Werribee Mercy Hospital in the 2022-23 State Budget to double the capacity of its emergency department.
The bundle has increased by $43.5 million to reflect an additional $35.5 million for the Casey Hospital Emergency Expansion Project and $8 million for Werribee Mercy Hospital due to funding redirected from the “providing additional bed capacity through modular facilities (metropolitan various)” initiative.
About $18 million is estimated to have been spent in the 2023-24 financial year.
A total of $68 million is estimated to be spent on the two projects during the 2024-25 financial year, with an estimated completion date of around 2027.
Casey Hospital’s emergency department expansion would include a dedicated paediatric space for children and their families, and support an additional 52,000 presentations annually, helping ease the pressure on the existing emergency departments for the hospitals’ dedicated doctors, nurses, orderlies, and other hospital staff.
Minister for Health, Health Infrastructure, and Ambulance Services Mary-Anne Thomas said they were transforming Victoria’s world-class healthcare system – delivering better facilities, more healthcare workers, and a record investment to make sure every Victorian gets the best care, no matter their address.
Minister for Mental Health and Ageing Ingrid Stitt said they had made the largest investment into mental health in Australia’s history since the Royal Commission.
“But there’s still more to do,” she said.
“That’s why this Budget will build on our record investment for those who need it most. For older Victorians, we’ll continue our investment so they can age in place with dignity and receive world-class care.”
