A wave of new hospital openings, upgrades and expanded services will roll out across Victoria over the next year, boosting healthcare access in Melbourne’s fast-growing suburbs and regional centres.
Backed by the 2026/27 state budget, the investment targets pressure points across the system—particularly in outer suburban corridors where population growth has surged ahead of infrastructure.
New Capacity in Melbourne’s East & South-East
In Melbourne’s east, Angliss Hospital is preparing to unveil a new four-storey expansion later this year, supported by a $44.8 million investment. The upgraded facility will house four operating theatres, expanded outpatient services and an additional 32 beds, easing strain on surrounding emergency departments and inpatient wards.
Further south-east, Cranbourne Community Hospital will introduce an Urgent Care Centre designed to divert non-critical cases away from the busy Casey Hospital emergency department. The site will also expand dialysis services, with six new chairs allowing more patients to receive regular treatment closer to home.
A similar model is coming to Craigieburn, where an Urgent Care Centre will complement existing services including dental care, dialysis and antenatal support—part of a broader push to shift everyday healthcare needs out of major hospital EDs.
Growing Suburban Hubs
The Pakenham Community Hospital will open in early 2027, offering urgent care, allied health, pathology, and dental services. Health planners have also earmarked additional support for services at the Mernda Community Hospital, reinforcing care options across Melbourne’s north.
Meanwhile, early works have begun on the new Melton Hospital, which will treat around 130,000 patients annually once complete. The facility will serve communities stretching from Caroline Springs to Bacchus Marsh, reflecting Melbourne’s westward growth.
In the city’s west, the expansion of Werribee Mercy Hospital’s emergency department is one of the most significant upgrades in the pipeline. Backed by $95 million, the redevelopment will double capacity to 67 treatment spaces and introduce dedicated zones for paediatric care, mental health and short-stay patients. Once fully operational, it’s expected to treat an extra 25,000 patients each year.
Regional Upgrades Bring Care Closer
Regional Victoria is also seeing targeted improvements. University Hospital Geelong will receive $20.3 million to expand its paediatric emergency department, creating a more child-friendly environment while improving access for families across the Bellarine Peninsula and Surf Coast.
In Shepparton, a new PET scanner—funded with $7.1 million—will bring advanced diagnostic imaging closer to home, reducing the need for patients to travel to Melbourne for specialised care, particularly for cancer detection and monitoring.
Health Minister Harriet Shing added that the focus is on expanding access where it’s needed most. “We are opening and expanding services in our growing suburbs and regions, ensuring more Victorians can get the care they need closer to home,” she said.
The rollout reflects a wider shift toward decentralised care—bringing essential services into community settings while easing pressure on major metropolitan hospitals.