The construction of Werribee Mercy Hospital’s $93 million expansion has hit its highest point.
Building work, which started at the hospital in February, has included four new storeys built on top of the existing two-storey Catherine McAuley Centre, where several medical services are based.
The uppermost part of the hospital now stands at 31.2 metres high. When building is complete the roof will house the hospital’s plant and equipment room.
The roof has views across Wyndham, the You Yangs, Melbourne’s CBD and the bay.
On Friday, the Minister for Health Jill Hennessy and Werribee MP Tim Pallas visited the hospital for a “topping out” ceremony.
Mr Pallas and Ms Hennessy were taken to the top of the hospital building, accompanied by Mercy Health’s group chief executive Stephen Cornelissen.
“It’s really hard to believe that six months ago we were standing on top of the first two storeys,” Mr Cornelissen said.
Ms Hennessy thanked the staff at Werribee Mercy and also the building company Multiplex, which is building the expansion.
“It’s truly fantastic to see the amazing progress here,” she said.
More than 160 tradespeople have been involved in the hospital project.
When the expansion is finished, the hospital will have 64 new inpatient beds including eight for critical care patients, six additional operating theatres and a central sterile supply department.
This expansion will take the total number of beds at the Werribee Mercy to 298.
In addition, the new 370-space multi-level carpark at Werribee Mercy has been completed ahead of schedule and is now operational.
The next phase of the project will be the hospital’s facade, with construction expected to be finished by mid-next year.
