By XAVIER SMERDON
WERRIBEE could soon be home to a second hospital with St Vincent’s Private Hospital Melbourne showing interest in a large parcel of land opposite the Werribee Mercy Hospital.
A spokesperson from St Vincent’s told Star last week that the group was in the process of purchasing the land but nothing had been finalised.
Wyndham residents have long been calling for a second hospital to accommodate the municipality’s rapidly growing population.
According to the Department of Health the total number of patients admitted to the Werribee Mercy Hospital in the January to March quarter this year was 6663, an increase of just under 250 patients from the same quarter last year.
More than 26,000 patients were admitted to the hospital last year alone.
According to Wyndham Council’s own population forecast data, Wyndham will grow by more than 50,000 people over the next five years and will eventually reach 334,676 by 2031.
The current Werribee Mercy Hospital site was built in 1993.
According to the Victorian State Government Population and Household Projections, published in 2008, in 1996 Wyndham’s population was just 76,239 while at the most recent census it had ballooned to 161,575, a growth of more than 85,000 people.
Manager of Business and Projects at advocacy group LeadWest, Craig Rowley, told Star a second hospital would have countless benefits for Wyndham.
“If they are actually developing a parcel of land then that would of course create jobs during construction,” Mr Rowley said.
“It’s obviously good news for the people that would be serviced by a new hospital too.”
Current Wyndham Mayor and Chaffey Ward candidate, Kim McAliney, said Wyndham was in desperate need of a second hospital.
“It’s absolutely terrific that there is interest in that portion of land,” Ms McAliney said.
“We need to have more medical services and a project like this would bring more skills and professional people to work in Wyndham, which is currently lacking here.
“That portion of the Werribee employment precinct would be ideal for an entire medical precinct.”
Hoppers Crossing resident Samantha Fullwood said her mother recently had to wait five hours in the emergency department at Werribee Mercy Hospital, a situation which she said warrants a second hospital in Wyndham.
“I think a second hospital is necessary to provide the care that people need when in an emergency situation,” Ms Fullwood said.
“It’s not good enough that people who are generally sick and feeling bad have to wait hours at a time to be seen.”
