Footscray Hospital - Our History

Footscray Hospital was founded as a result of the drive and resourcefulness of local communities, and to this day remains an integral part of the communities it serves.

The communities which founded the hospital faced real challenges in achieving their goal. After fundraising and purchasing the site, the Charities’ Board refused permission to establish the hospital in 1924. Undeterred, the committee instead decided to build an Outpatients’ Clinic, Dispensary and Casualty Station to treat the needy and poor of Footscray, until in 1941, the Charities’ Board granted permission for a 30-bed community hospital.

However, it wasn’t long after the funds to build the hospital were raised, that the next hurdle cropped up. The war situation in 1942 resulted in the hospital being put on hold, until construction began in 1947. In 1953 the Footscray & District Hospital finally opened, after 34 years of hard work and commitment to the cause.

Footscray Hospital Timeline

1920s - 1940s

1950s - 1960s

1970s - 1980s

1990s - 2000s

1990	Stage 1 of the North block extension is opened by the Premier of Victoria, John Cain. This development comprised new operating theatres, Sterile Supply Department and the School of Nursing.
1991	Stage 2 of the North block extension is opened by the Premier of Victoria, Joan Kirner, giving the community access to a new Emergency Department, 14-bed Intensive Care Unit and 10 Coronary Care Unit, along with additional medical, surgical and orthopaedic beds.
1993	State Health Minister, Marie Tehan opens the new East Block comprising the Auditorium, Pathology, Library and front entrance.
1996	A 12-bed Community Drug and Alchol Services Withdrawal Unit opens in November, to help people with drug and alcohol addiction and to provide advice and support on future management of their illness. The State Government restructures health services and Western Hospital becomes part of the Western Health Care Network
1997	In November the State Government expands the health network to create North Western Health Care Network.
1998	The new $1.8 million Cardiac Angiography Suite is officially opened by the State Minister for Health, Rob Knowles. The Suite provides speciality cardiac services to residents of the western region who would otherwise have to travel to hospitals further afield for the same treatment and care.
2000	The State Government reduces the size of the health network, and places Western Hospital, Sunshine Hospital and the Williamstown Hospital into the newly formed Western Health.
2001	Western Hospital underwent its first ACHS Accreditation Review in July 2001. The review ensures recommendations made by the surveyors at the previous accreditation have been successfully implemented.
2002	In April 2002 a redevelopment of Western Hospital Radiology and Nuclear Medicine was officially opened. In May an Orthogeriatric Unit was established with the aim of assisting patients to regain their previous level of independence and mobility.
2003	Western Hospital celebrated it's 50th anniversary in 2003.

1998 capital works project — 1998 - Western Hospital underwent its last major capital works project. It as not significantly changed since this time.

2002 radiology refurbishment — 2002 - The refurbishment of Radiology was able to accommodate the latest nuclear medicine gamma camera and new general x-ray machines.

1921	Gordon Street, Footscray, site brought after community fundraising raises the money to establish a hospital
1938	The Footscray Outpaitents and Welfare Centre opens, to treat the needy and poor of Footscray. In the first year of operation 5,000 patients are treated
1947	Construction starts on the Footscray and District Hospital

1972	The hospital is renamed Western General to better reflect the western region community which the hospital serves.
1976	A new Outpatients complex offeringg a wide range of medical and paramedical services opens.
1986	Western General Hospital is amalgamated with the Sunshine and District Community Hospital (closed in 1989) and the Sunshine Hospitals and Health Services Society (St Albans) to form the Maribyrnong Medical Centre.
1989	Controversy ensures the Maribyrnong Medical Centre is renamed Western Hospital.

Common Searches

Suggested search

Home

Patients and visitors

Your hospital stay

Access your information and understand costs

Rights, feedback and support

Health professionals

General Practice Integration Unit

Referrals

Services and clinics

Locations

Work with us