By Charlene Macaulay
One of the western suburbs newest politicians has questioned why the state government is funding a community hospital in Point Cook when Werribee Mercy Hospital is not big enough to cater for Wyndham’s burgeoning population.
Speaking in Parliament, independent upper house MP Catherine Cumming said she was among many surprised at the government’s election promise to build the community hospital.
“Given the costs involved through purchasing the land and eventually building on it, would the money not be better spent on improving the services, particularly the maternity ward, at the Werribee Mercy Hospital, which at present is only able to meet the needs of 40 per cent of the Wyndham community?”
Wyndham mayor Mia Shaw said while the council advocated to expand the Werribee Mercy Hospital, it also supported a community hospital for Point Cook.
“The Point Cook Community Hospital will be of great benefit to the local community by taking pressure off the major hospitals in the western suburbs and also boosting our local economy,” Cr Shaw said.
The state government did not respond to Star Weekly’s questions about its decision, but Health Minister Jenny Mikakos said the government was “making sure families in the west can get the treatment and care they need”.
