Footscray Hospital

Key information

The Footscray Hospital Emergency Department (ED) is located at 20 Geelong Road and is open 24 hours a day. You can access the ED from both 89 Ballarat Road and 20 Geelong Road, Footscray. A vehicle drop off zone is clearly signed in front of the ED entrance.

Patients are assessed on arrival, and treatment is prioritised based on medical urgency. Those with severe injuries or illnesses will receive care first.  

We will continue to be an adult Emergency Department and like now, unless critically unwell, most children will be redirected to one of the nearby paediatric emergency departments.   

At triage

On arrival, you will be assessed by a nurse to decide how serious your problem could be.  This system called ‘triage’ is used Australia-wide to make sure patients with possible life-threatening problems are seen first. The same process occurs if you come to the ED by ambulance.  

After triage, clerical staff will check details like your address, phone number, next of kin and local doctor, to make sure we have the correct information on our system.  

Once complete, depending on your condition, you may wait in the waiting room or be moved to an area inside the department for further care. There are rooms and staff available to provide simple treatments and start tests whilst you are waiting. 

Inside the acute zone 

Most people coming to ED will be cared for in the acute assessment area. 

Doctors, nurses and other staff will work together to make you feel better and do tests to find the diagnosis or rule-out serious causes.   

Senior nurses and specialist doctors supervise your care as well as keep an eye on the people arriving and waiting. 

Most people who come to ED will go home that day. Only a few people need further care in hospital, and some may be able to receive care at home through hospital services. 

Our aim is to provide timely quality care that considers your health and social needs.  

Transport and parking 

There are 10-minute drop-off bays in front of the Emergency Department. These can be accessed from both 20 Geelong Road as well as 89 Ballarat Road. Parking is available in the hospital car park, accessible from both Geelong and Ballarat Roads. Drop-off and parking is free within the first 30 minutes. 

Main areas of treatment 

The Emergency Department comprises 24 acute, 3 resus, 9 fast-track and 16 short stay cubicles. The 8-bed Mental Health and Alcohol and Other Drugs Hub is due to open later in 2026.  

Alternatives to the emergency department 

For non-life-threatening conditions like infections, fevers, nausea, minor cuts, rashes, burns, or fractures, consider the following free options 

Footscray Hospital features a range of services and clinics. Please use the directory to find the location of our services across the Western Health suburbs. 

Footscray Hospital offers large, modern inpatient rooms designed to help patients feel comfortable throughout their stay. 

Each ward includes a mix of single and twin rooms, featuring shared or private ensuites, Smart TVs, and views of the surrounding parks and suburbs. Rooms are also equipped with a small pull-out bed. 

Each ward has a family lounge and an enclosed balcony accessible to both patients and visitors. These spaces offer quiet areas to support recovery.  

The following public transport options are available when travelling to Footscray Hospital. Get up-to-date public transport information at transport.vic.gov.au. 

Tram 

The 82 tram runs between Moonee Ponds and Footscray. The Geelong Road/Droop Street stop is the closest to Footscray Hospital.  

Train 

Take the Sunbury, Werribee, or Williamstown urban (Metro) lines or Ballarat, Bendigo, or Geelong regional (V/Line) lines and get off at Footscray station. Take the 82 tram to the Geelong Road/Droop Street stop to reach the Footscray Hospital.  

Bus 

The 406 bus that runs between Keilor East and Footscray via Avondale Heights and Maribyrnong stops at Victoria University/ Ballarat Road near Footscray Hospital.   

The 409 bus that runs between Yarraville and Highpoint SC via Foostcray stops at Stirling Street/Moore Street or Footscray City College/Fansworth Ave near Footscray Hospital.   

Parking

The public car park can be accessed at both 89 Ballarat Road, Footscray, and 20 Geelong Road, Footscray.

The public car park has dedicated motorbike parking bays on the Ground level.  

Bicycle racks for public use are located near the main entrance of the hospital and near the Emergency Department.  

The public car park uses licence plate recognition to grant users access to the car park.  

Car park users can pay at automated pay machines, and this will be recognised by the system on exit. If the user has not paid, they will be asked to pay at the exit using their bank payment card.  

Pensioners can validate their parking by showing their concession at the main reception, where they will receive a validation ticket. They can then pay at the machine with their validated ticket and with cash or card. 

 

• A 30-minute grace period allows for free short-term parking providing you exit within 30 minutes.
• There are drop-off parking bays in front of the Emergency Department.   
• There are 5 free 15-minute drop-off parking bays for drop-off and pick-up for the childcare centre, located in the public car park. The 30-minute grace period also allows for pick-up / drop-off time in general parking bays.   
• Two-minute and 15-minute parking bays for patient pick-up and drop-off are located near the Ballarat Road lower ground entrance.   
• Drop-off and short-term parking bays are subject to Maribyrnong City Council parking fines.  

Interactive wayfinding helps patients, families, visitors, and staff find their way around the new Footscray Hospital.  

At every entry, wayfinding kiosks provide people with personalised directions to the department, ward, or service they require. Visitors can also access the real-time maps and directions via their smart phone.  

Trained volunteer visitor guides, based at the volunteer desk inside the main entrance, are available to give directions and help patients and consumers to use the wayfinding and patient check-in screens.  

You can view the wayfinding map of new Footscray Hospital here

Check-in kiosks  

Patients at Footscray Hospital can check-in for their appointments using the check-in kiosks, located in the main reception on the ground level or at entrances to clinics and other units. The services that use the check-in system are:  

• clinics 2,3, and 4 (Adult Specialist Clinics)
• medical imaging
• allied health
• clinic 11
• planned surgery admissions  

To use the check-in kiosk, please either:  

• scan the barcode on your appointment letter
• swipe your Medicare card
• type in your details on the kiosk.  

You will then be asked to confirm your details, and you’ll receive an appointment confirmation, a printed ticket, and a text message to your phone.  

When it is time to go to your appointment, you will receive a text message to your phone, and a number on the queuing screen will appear in the waiting area of your appointment location.   

Lifts

Footscray Hospital has two sets of lifts, named in consultation with the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people – the traditional owners of the land on which the hospital precinct stands.  

Mareingalk lifts  

Mareingalk is the name for Maribyrnong and the nearby Maribyrnong River.   

The blue-tiled Mareingalk Lifts are to the left of the main reception. The Mareingalk Lifts rise to Level 4. 

Bundha lifts  

Bundha means unity – because the hospital brings people together from all walks of life.  

The green-tiled Bundha Lifts are to the right of the main reception. The Bundha Lifts rise to Level 10.  

Footscray Hospital is designed to provide amenities and services to patients, consumers and the wider Footscray community.  

Within the hospital precinct, the village green is a central open space with a small playgound that unites the buildings. 

The hospital has eight cafés, a general store with Australia Post services, a retail pharmacy, a gift shop, and an opportunity shop. The hospital precinct also includes a childcare centre, private medical clinics, a gym, the Wilim Berrbang Aboriginal Health Unit, and a community centre for meetings and events. 

Located on the ground level, fronting the Village Green, the community centre is a multi-purpose bookable space that will be available to Western Health staff, volunteers and local community groups. Capacity: Seating: 150 (max) Standing: 180 (max) 

For enquiries, email [email protected]