Peninsula University Hospital; Frankston Hospital redevelopment; Frankston and the Mornington Peninsula; public health services Frankston; hospital helipad Frankston; teaching hospital Frankston; expanded emergency department Frankston; Peninsula Health.
Public hospital services in Frankston and the Mornington Peninsula will undergo a significant expansion early next year, with Peninsula University Hospital confirmed to open its new clinical tower on 20 January 2026.
Peninsula Health says the redevelopment will allow thousands more patients to receive treatment locally rather than travelling into metropolitan Melbourne for specialist services.
A major upgrade for regional care
The new 12-storey clinical services tower is the centrepiece of a wide-ranging redevelopment of the existing Frankston Hospital site. The upgrade is intended to increase treatment capacity, improve access to specialist care and reduce pressure on waiting lists across Frankston and the Mornington Peninsula.
Once fully operational, the expanded site is expected to include:
- Around 130 additional inpatient beds
- 15 new operating theatres
- Expanded areas for cancer treatment and mental health services
- New maternity and children’s wards, including a women’s clinic and special care nursery
- A refurbished and expanded emergency department
- A rooftop helipad to support rapid retrievals and critical patient transfers
Peninsula Health anticipates the expansion will enable more patients to be treated locally, particularly those requiring surgical and emergency care.
Name change reflects teaching and research focus
When the tower opens, the hospital will officially become Peninsula University Hospital. The new name signals its role as a teaching and research centre in partnership with universities, while maintaining its existing function as the main public hospital for Frankston and the Mornington Peninsula.
Peninsula Health reports that medical, nursing and allied health students will continue to complete placements at the site, with the redeveloped hospital expected to support expanded training opportunities.
More services available closer to home
The redevelopment is designed to improve access to public health services for communities across the region. Once the new facilities are in use, Peninsula University Hospital is expected to:
- Increase the number of local surgical and medical procedures
- Provide more capacity for emergency department presentations
- Strengthen support for women’s health, newborn care and paediatric services
- Reduce the need for patients to travel for specialist cancer and mental health treatment
Satellite services operated by Peninsula Health at Hastings, Mornington, Rosebud and Mount Eliza will continue to provide localised care, with Peninsula University Hospital acting as the central acute hub.
Community viewing planned ahead of opening
Peninsula Health will hold a community open day ahead of the official opening, offering residents, patients, carers and staff the opportunity to view parts of the new tower before services progressively move across in January.
Further details about the open day, including dates and times, are expected to be released closer to the event.
