Health

Werribee Mercy Hospital Mental Health Expansion

Client

Mercy Health

Completed

2017

Value

$27M

Location

Werribee, VIC

Overview

Enhanced access to best-practice care for vulnerable Victorians in Melbourne's west.

The Mental Health Expansion project at Werribee Mercy Hospital transformed a dating inpatient unit with a purpose-built 54-bed mental health facility.

Titled the Clare Moore Building, the two-storey structure features a four-bed psychiatric assessment and planning unit, a 10-bed high-dependency unit, and a 40-bed low-dependency unit. Community experience was focal to the design, creating a safe and calm environment that prioritises patient well-being and reduces the stigma of mental healthcare.

To support the new unit, we undertook a comprehensive upgrade of existing facilities: refurbishing parking spaces, adding new parking, and establishing designated zones for ambulances and police vehicles. Key infrastructure enhancements and back-of-house improvements, such as new loading zones and covered walkways, were vital for the expansion.

Quick Facts

Healthcare Facilities

4,400 sqm

Inpatient Unit

54-bed

Clinical/Non-Clinical Jobs Created

300+

Post-Tender Cost Savings

$2.9M

Process

Our phased approach maintained uninterrupted clinical services for WMH.

We managed planned and potential disruptions, particularly those affecting services, through a collaborative, consensus-driven process. By strategically merging phases 2 and 3, we successfully shortened the overall project timeline.

Stage 1: MHE North Wing
During this phase, we completed the partial demolish works for the existing Psychiatric Building and built the new facility atop the footprint. This included handing over the completed north wing, equipped with elevators and staircases. As part of this phase, we also integrated the new structure with the existing hospital link, established a new ambulance drop-off zone and a 13-space carpark.

Stage 2: MHE South Wing
With Stage 1 completed, 27 beds became available to the existing Psych Unit, which was relocated. This facilitated the next phase of demolition, where we removed the remaining structures, roadways, kerbing, footpaths, and temporary crossings to make way for the new southern wing.

Stage 3: Final Developments
This work phase involved significant alterations across both levels. On the Ground Floor, we reconfigured temporary spaces to create functional areas, including an HDU Staff Base, Recreation Room, Waste Room, Assessment Room, Sensory Room, Community Room, and office spaces. Level 1 renovations included the conversion of temporary rooms into Waste and Cleaner Rooms, offices, an Education Room, and two Interview Rooms. We also transformed workspaces and treatment areas into a Handover Room. These changes optimised the use of space to better meet WMH’s operational needs.

Plan.

Approach & Value Adding

We steered a collaborative value management process which resulted in a $2.9M cost saving for our client.
By merging certain activities of Stages 2 and Stages 3, we reduced the overall project timeline.
We also implemented Speedpanel for firewalls, which fast-tracked our building process and allowed plastering works to be expedited in other areas.

Drive.

Key Challenges & Management

We executed the entire project within the live hospital site, requiring extensive coordination with WMH. This was especially challenging during Stage 3.
Completing the civil works within the operational ambulance bay required a robust communications strategy. We implemented a comprehensive RISC action plan to ensure our team could respond swiftly and effectively to potential emergency situations.
We resolved several access issues related to the firewalls by redesigning the system. The choice of Speedpanel enabled us to accelerate work in other areas, helping to recover some lost time.
We faced compatibility issues with the anti-ligature hardware and standard hardware. With our architect and client, we devised a suitable solution for each clash.
In Stage 2, we identified the soil conditions wouldn't adequately support the building pad. After conducting services scans, we implemented a solution which included lime stabilisation across most of the site to increase stability.
We completed Stage 2 works in tandem with another builder constructing a multi-level car park. This required continuous communication to coordinate activities and manage shared access.