The Allan Labor Government has delivered one of the largest health infrastructure projects ever built in Victoria - with the doors to the $1.1 billion redevelopment of Frankston Hospital set to open this Tuesday.
Premier Jacinta Allan and Minister for Health Mary-Anne Thomas today officially declared the hospital ready for patients, as staff begin moving into the new 12-storey tower.
Set to transform care for locals and serve the community for generations, over time the redeveloped hospital will have the capacity to treat 35,000 more patients every year and includes a range of other new or expanded services.
The redevelopment has delivered a range of new or expanded services, including mental health, oncology, and women's and children's services. It includes 15 new operating theatres, and once fully operational, 130 more beds.
A major feature of the redeveloped hospital - now known as the Peninsula University Hospital - is the new emergency department, featuring more treatment spaces, a redesigned triage area and dedicated assessment zones to treat patients, as well as a new rooftop helipad to support the safe transfer of critically ill patients.
The much-needed expansion will support what is already one of the state's busiest emergency departments, with up to 75,000 patients presenting every year, and will help to deliver faster and better care to locals.
The emergency department will also include a mental health and alcohol and other drugs (AOD) hub, designed as a calm, purpose-built space to treat people with urgent mental health and AOD concerns.
The hub will ease pressure on emergency department resources and improve safety, with the model already rolled out at a number of other major hospitals across Victoria.
Staffed by a specialist team of mental health and AOD workers and clinicians who will provide integrated assessment, treatment and post-discharge support, the hub will help to reduce trauma, distress and stigma often experienced in conventional emergency departments.
A dedicated paediatric zone will also provide specialist care for children in a calm, family-friendly environment, in an area adjacent to the main emergency department. Featuring its own waiting and triage areas, it includes play areas, an outdoor courtyard, and will be staffed by dedicated paediatric emergency nurses and staff.
These specialist zones within the emergency department will continue driving down patient wait times and ambulance offload times at the hospital.
Since the introduction of the Labor Government's Standards for Safe and Timely Ambulance and Emergency Care in February 2025, Frankston has been the state's top performer - handing over more than 95 per cent of ambulance patients within the 40-minute target, delivering care sooner and getting paramedics back on the road.
As stated by Premier Jacinta Allan
"We promised Frankston a bigger and better hospital. That's what we've delivered, and more."
"Here's what we believe: wherever you live in Victoria, you deserve the best standards of healthcare for you and your family. Frankston's new hospital is proof."
As stated by Minister for Health Mary-Anne Thomas
"Our dedicated doctors, nurses and frontline staff at the new Peninsula University Hospital now have the world-class facilities to care for families in this growing area of Melbourne."
As stated by Minister for Health Infrastructure Melissa Horne
"Once fully operational, this supports more than 35,000 extra patients every year."
As stated by Member for Frankston Paul Edbrooke
"What a huge moment for our community - we have delivered them the hospital we promised, and it will support locals for years to come. We have one of the world's best hospitals right here in our backyard."
As stated by Member for Carrum Sonya Kilkenny
"This means so much for local families, with a dedicated paediatric zone in the emergency department and expanded children's services."
As stated by Member for Hastings Paul Mercurio
"This hospital will support so many people across the community, at every stage of their lives."
As stated by Member for Cranbourne Pauline Richards
"This will take pressure off local health services across the south east."
