New Footscray Hospital Patient Move Day live updates

5.20 pm

In just under eight hours, we safely and successfully moved 115 patients into our new Footscray Hospital!

Move Commander John Ferraro said it was important to take a moment to reflect on the successful move of 11 departments from Gordon Street to Ballarat Road.

‘Thank you to you and your teams for your efforts on a successful move and transition,’ Mr Ferraro said.

CEO Professor Russell Harrison said it was great to see such a respectful transition from our original Footscray Hospital today.

Leaders in the command centre shared their reflections on the day, commending staff for their efforts.

They highlighted how the immense preparation meant we were able to complete the move ahead of schedule with a smooth transition for patients and staff.

The original Footscray Hospital will officially close at 5:30 pm today, marking the end of an era!

Watch the wrap up video on our Facebook page. 

2:30 pm 

In an historic moment, the final patient has been transferred to Footscray Hospital.  

Staff on ward 2 East celebrated with CEO Russell Harrison as they marked the end of the patient move.

Nurse Unit Manager Karen was thrilled with how the move had gone.

‘Everyone knew what their role was, it was all well planned and all went smoothly for us,’ she said.

Waving off the last patient, Nurse Linda will clock on tomorrow for her first shift at the new hospital.

‘It’s exciting, it’s going to be a good transition. Everything is new, but we’ll go through it together. We’ve got a great team,’ she said.

Karen has worked at the original Footscray Hospital for 24 years. Like many, she was feeling mixed emotions about the move.

‘It’s a bit sad to be leaving somewhere you’ve been for your whole nursing career, but we need to remember we’re all going together and will still be working together,’ she said. 

2:15 pm

Peter is one of our incredible volunteer workforce who is providing our patients with social support throughout the patient move today.

'My job is to make a cup of tea, help them settle into their new ward, or assist them with getting the TV working,' Peter said.

'I’m also just there to have a chat.'

1:05 pm

The first patient has arrived in dialysis. Emmanuel joins staff as the first ever patient to undergo dialysis treatment at new Footscray Hospital. 

11.20 am

We've now moved half the patients into the new hospital's acute aged care ward 9A. 

‘We are so happy to reach this point,' Nurse Unit Manager (NUM) Karen Garratt said.

‘To see the look on some of our patient’s faces is so special. Some of them have never seen a view like this in their life.’

Karen said some of their elderly patients wore special outfits the day. 

‘They are just so proud to be the centre of attention and be part of this special day.'

Executive Director of Nursing and Midwifery Adjunct Professor Shane Crowe said it was an exciting day that came after years of planning by so many people in our health service. 

‘Thank you to all our nurses for all the work they’ve put in,’ Professor Crowe said. 

‘It’s fantastic to have a physical environment that now matches the quality of our staff.’ 

When asked what patients think of the new ward, Associate Nurse Unit Manager (ANUM) Archie Shah said that quite simply: 

‘They love it!’ 

9:50 am

Ward 3B has officially completed their move, with their final patient being transferred just before 10 am.

It was mixed emotions from staff (pictured below) as they move to the new chapter.  

'We’re all a bit sad because this has been our home base for so long,' said consultant Lauren Nacey.

‘I’ve been here for 9 years and it’s always felt like a really well-connected community hospital…It’s all about the people here. That’s why we keep coming back.'

Ward 3B has been a home away from home for Ward Clerk Lily Mardesic for 40 years, and she’s loved every moment of it.  

When she started on Ward 3B 35 years ago, it was an orthopaedic and plastics ward, the building was only 6 months old.  

‘I will miss it terribly, it’s the end of an era,' she said.

8:40 am

The Hon Jacinta Allan MP, Premier of Victoria took a moment to thank everyone who worked on the new Footscray Hospital project.

‘This is going to make a big difference for families in the west, it’s a big and emotional day for everyone involved in this project.

‘Everyone here today has big, beautiful smiles on your face.

‘Take pride in what you have helped deliver for this community.

‘In generations to come, you’ll be able to say: "we were part of that!"’ 

Premier's media release

New Footscray Hospital : Open |Premier of Victoria Hon Jacinta Allan MP

8:28 am

Emergency Department staff at the new Footscray Hospital has received it's first patient.

Photo: The Emergency Department team were well prepared for their first patient.

8:10 am - 8:30 am

One of the first patients arrives at new Footscray Hospital.

Lucy, who we met earlier today on the blog, when she was at the original Footscray Hospital, is now settled into her new ward at the new Footscray Hospital.

She was met by staff from our transit lounge before making her way up to Acute Aged Care on level 9A.  

Her room is flooded with natural light and she is seated by the window with her face firmly fixed outwards, looking at the spectacular view.

‘I’m in awe,’ said the 84 year old, as she stared out at Flemington Racecourse.

‘The view is tremendous and this is history for Footscray.’

‘For a hospital it’s great, almost like being in a hotel.’

Lucy is now being cared for by a team of nurses, doctors and health professionals.

Image gallery: Lucy

Photo 1: Every part of Lucy's journey was carefully mapped.
Photo 2: Enjoying the 'tremendous' views from bed.
Photo 3: Lucy settling back to enjoy her new 'hotel' like room.

8:15 am

At 8:00 am the new Emergency Department opened.

Emergency Department Director Ainslie Senz said the team was feeling exciting, ready and proud to be in their new workplace.

‘There is some emotion about saying goodbye to our old Emergency Department, but it’s not about the building, it’s the people and the memories that they’ll miss,’ Dr Senz said.

The new Footscray Hospital’s Emergency Department has a mental health, alcohol and other drugs hub, as well as a satellite radiology hub with its own CT, ultrasound, and X-ray suite.

Image gallery: new department

Photo 1: Emergency Department staff enjoying their first few hours at the new department.
Photo 2: Staff members settle in.

8:00 am

The Emergency Department at original Footscray Hospital has officially closed to new patients.

As the doors closed for the final time, staff celebrated, some tears were shed, and they took time to reflect the momentous occasion.

‘I’m feeling mixed emotions today,’ said Professor Anne-Maree Kelly. ‘For a lot of people, it feels like leaving home.’

‘I came here 30 years ago, when it was new-ish, and over the years we’ve adapted it and made it work for us. But medicine has moved on, technology has moved on, and what patients should expect has moved on.’

While feeling the emotions of the day, the ED team were excited to be moving to the new hospital. Anne-Maree said everything had gone according to plan and they would now start decommissioning the space.

Image gallery: farewell to the original department

Photo 1: Emergency Department staff farewell their original home.

Photo 2: ABC TV interviews staff: Eloise Carter (associate nurse unit manager), Sally Martin (senior nurse) Joy Robertson (Clerk), and Anne-Marie Kelly (Emergency Consultant Doctor).

Photo 3: The team takes a breather after their smooth move of patients in 1 West.

Photo 4: Volunteer finishes the move countdown.

7:30 am

One of the first patients is on the move.

Lucy is one of the first patients leaving Footscray Hospital on Gordon Street this morning destined for our new Footscray Hospital.

She has been cared for in the original Footscray Hospital’s Acute and Aged Care Ward, also known as ward 3B.

The team care for some of our oldest and most vulnerable patients who have acute healthcare needs.

Every aspect of Lucy’s journey has been carefully mapped out by our staff with her welfare our top consideration.

She’ll be transferred by our partners at the National Patient Transport.  

A team will be ready to greet her in our new transit lounge.

A shout out to the 3B team, and all the wards who have been working so hard this week to prepare Lucy and her fellow patients for this moment. 

7:15 am

At 7:00 am, Chief Operations Officer (COO) John Ferraro held a briefing with up to 200 staff and partners involved in today’s historic patient move.

As Move Commander, John is leading the hub responsible for coordinating systems, processes and staff involved in moving up to 150 patients from the current Footscray Hospital to our new base on Ballarat Road.

‘We are extremely well prepared to move our patients into our new hospital,’ John said.

‘My gratitude goes out to everyone who has been involved over the last 18 months and has helped to get us to this point in time.'

John was joined by Chief Executive, Professor Russell Harrison.

'Today is more than just opening a building, we are opening a hospital for our community,' Russell said.

Throughout the day, a group of senior leaders will be stationed in the Command Centre, to ensure patients settle into the new environment and staff can transition smoothly to their roles in new spaces.

What will success look like to John at the end of the day?

‘A seamless transition for patients and staff is what we are aiming for.’  

Stay tuned for updates from the original Footscray Hospital throughout the day as we pay tribute to the original People’s Hospital.

7:00 am

Good morning and welcome!

Today we’ll be sharing live updates from the new Footscray Hospital Patient Move Day.

We’ve already had a live cross with ABC television from our new Footscray Hospital Emergency Department (photo below).

Stay tuned as we share photos and information on how the day is progressing.

This is a huge and historic day not for Western Health as we move up to 150 patients into our new Footscray Hospital, one of Victoria’s largest ever health infrastructure projects.

Tune in to cheer our teams and watch the day unfold through hourly updates our blog.

Throughout the day, we’ll bring you:

• real‑time progress as patients are transferred  
• behind‑the‑scenes movements and insights
• photos and videos from across the new and original Footscray Hospital sites.  

Enjoy!

While you're waiting, learn more about the move and the new location:

• Footscray Hospital's new location from 18 February 2026: services, contact details, and more about the move
• Moving a whole hospital: an insider look at the planning behind the big move
• Emergency Department changes: access and service information on move day
• Watch the Community Open Day video (YouTube): held on Sunday 1 February 2026