Once operational, it will provide more than 500 inpatient beds, including same-day, multi-day, critical care, sub-acute, drug and alcohol, and mental health services. The hospital’s acute facilities will include an emergency department, operating theatres, procedural and endoscopy spaces, and associated recovery spaces.

In addition, the hospital plans include other health and administrative spaces such as clinical support spaces, medical imaging, teaching training, and research spaces. Health services will also be supported by spaces and facilities for patients, visitors, and staff.

As lead consultants, AECOM and BLP completed the site selection, masterplan and feasibility studies that supported the business case for the project funding. Several sites were reviewed for a new hospital, comparing the benefits of a full rebuild on the existing site against greenfield site options. Considerations included comparing different stacking configurations, exploring locational advantages for the health service and hospital users, and considering the impact on neighbourhoods and adjacent suburbs. 

The project’s first stage was a rapid site analysis and block and stack studies over a range of proposed sites to assist stakeholders to review their opportunities and constraints and assess pros and cons. These were turned around rapidly to meet stakeholder timeframes.  

The in-depth process allowed stakeholders to fully understand each site’s location advantages and impacts on neighbourhoods and adjacent suburbs. Site selection was driven by access to nature and outdoor spaces, placing community outcomes at the centre of the precinct design. 

Subsequently, AECOM was engaged by VHBA to deliver the advisory role across the implementation of all technology within the hospital during the project’s construction stage, through to completion. This involves the design and specification of the following systems: 

  • LAN, WAN, WLAN, Telephony/VOIP, RTLS, Video Conferencing 
  • Servers, Storage, Backup, Archiving, VDI, Single Sign-on (SSO), Tap On Tap Off 
  • Point of Care Terminal & Patient Entertainment System  
  • PC’s, Thin Clients, SOE 
  • Workstation on Wheels 
  • Printers 
  • Clinical Mobile Handsets and Mobile Duress 
  • Workflow Terminals 
  • Telehealth & Telemedicine 

The technology solutions designed and delivered by AECOM will make Footscray Hospital one of the most advanced smart healthcare facilities in the southern hemisphere, with improved systems for staff, patients, and energy management. 

The completed hospital is expected to achieve a minimum 5 Star Greenstar Rating, a NABERS Hospital Water rating, and strict targets for energy targets and greenhouse gas emissions.