The Allan Labor Government will officially open the expanded Angliss Hospital in Ferntree Gully on 15 July, following a $78m (A$112m) redevelopment. The project adds four operating theatres and a 32-bed inpatient ward, increasing surgical and inpatient care capacity. Located in Melbourne’s outer eastern suburbs, the hospital now includes dedicated spaces for outpatient services. The redevelopment was designed to meet the healthcare needs of a community that has experienced steady demographic growth in recent years, with the new facilities intended to serve both current residents and future arrivals.
The expansion aims to treat an additional 1,300 patients annually. This comes as the hospital’s service area is projected to grow to over 900,000 people by 2036. Officials say the new facilities will ease pressure on emergency departments and inpatient wards across the Eastern Health network. The project also creates 49 new full-time healthcare roles. The Eastern Health network manages public healthcare services in Melbourne’s eastern region.
New infrastructure and capacity
The new four-storey addition includes modern operating theatres, a 32-bed ward, and outpatient spaces. These upgrades reflect the government’s focus on expanding public healthcare infrastructure. The hospital now serves a rapidly growing population, with officials noting the need for long-term planning to match rising demand. The design of the building incorporates dedicated areas for each service type, allowing surgical procedures, inpatient recovery, and outpatient consultations to occur concurrently without cross‑interference. The outpatient spaces are intended to handle non‑urgent care, such as follow‑up appointments and minor procedures, which can help reduce the volume of patients seeking care in emergency departments for conditions that do not require acute intervention.
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The 2026–27 state budget allocated $31.17m (A$44.8m) to support the hospital’s operations. The Angliss expansion is the 12th new public hospital delivered under the current administration. The completion of the Angliss expansion marks the latest in a series of new public hospitals delivered under the current administration, reflecting a sustained commitment to addressing capacity constraints in a growing state.
Impact on healthcare network
Officials estimate the expansion will reduce wait times for surgeries and inpatient care. The added capacity is expected to free up resources in emergency departments, which often face high patient volumes. The hospital’s outpatient spaces will also handle more non-urgent care, shifting some pressure away from acute services. The inpatient ward will accommodate patients who would otherwise occupy emergency department beds while awaiting admission, a common cause of congestion in emergency settings.