By Sumeyya Ilanbey
A Melton hospital with an emergency department will save lives, according to a local GP.
Dr Marcus Watson has helped Melton council launch its Build Melton Hospital, Invest in the West campaign, calling on political parties to commit to building a public hospital.
Melton council wants funding for a feasibility study and a commitment to start construction by July, 2022.
The major public campaign was launched last Thursday – 100 days from the state election.
Suitable land for a hospital has already been identified in the Toolern Precinct Structure Plan, near the railway station that’s under construction.
Melton council corporate services manager Peter Bean said the council was advocating for a public hospital that would include an emergency department, acute and specialist services and intensive care and surgery units.
As part of its campaign, council will highlight the ability of a public hospital in Melton to reduce the pressure on Sunshine, Footscray and Werribee hospitals, which are more than 30 kilometres away, over-stretched and under-resourced.
Dr Watson said that every day he was dealing with an “inadequate” public hospital system stretched beyond its limits.
“Both western hospitals in Sunshine and Footscray are constantly overcrowded,” Dr Watson said.
“There are long waits. And people who become acutely unwell in Melton face a 30-minute wait for an ambulance, a 40-minute drive to hospital and, when they get there, they face record queues waiting to be seen.
“In medicine, minutes matter. Try holding your breath for five minutes. Time is precious in critical situations.”
Melton Labor candidate Justin Mammarella said he was a big advocate for a public hospital in the region, having started a petition for it while Melton mayor in 2011.
Liberal candidate Ryan Farrow said “not much” had changed in Melton because of its status as a safe Labor seat.
He said the Liberal Party was “really receptive” about the public hospital plan and for “someone to fight for Melton”.
Greens candidate Harkirat Singh said his party was supportive of healthcare infrastructure and if it held the balance of power, it would be in a position to push the government of the day for a Melton public hospital.
The community is being urged to get behind the campaign by writing to politicians.
Postcards have been designed and will be presented to state Parliament next month.
Those unable to sign a postcard are being urged to go online to buildmeltonhospital.com.au and add their electronic signatures and share their stories.
