Peninsula University Hospital will begin caring for patients from Tuesday, 20 January, following its official opening in Frankston.
The site was previously known as Frankston Hospital and operated under Peninsula Health before the health service was folded into the newly formed Bayside Health network on 1 January 2026.
Bayside Health says the new hospital is a $1.1 billion, 15-storey facility and was officially opened by the Premier of Victoria, Jacinta Allan, and the Minister for Health, Mary-Anne Thomas.
What locals can expect from day one
Bayside Health says the new hospital increases capacity and expands key services, with the opening intended to support a growing population across Frankston and the Mornington Peninsula.
The health service says the hospital includes:
- additional bed capacity
- new operating theatres
- expanded or enhanced services across mental health, oncology, maternity and paediatrics
- a new main entrance
- a multi-deck car park
Emergency department changes highlighted
Bayside Health says two additions have been built into the emergency department, aimed at improving how patients are managed at the front door:
- a five-bed Emergency Department Mental Health, Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD) Hub
- a dedicated paediatric zone within the emergency department
What this means for Frankston and Mornington Peninsula residents
For residents, the changes flagged by Bayside Health centre on capacity, service expansion, and new dedicated spaces for mental health and children in emergency care. The health service says the facility was designed not only for hospital-based care, but also to support care delivered across community and home-based settings.
Bayside Health Deputy Chair Karen Corry said the focus was on access to services close to home.
Peninsula University Hospital is about more than bricks and mortar. It is about delivering high-quality, compassionate care, supporting our workforce, and ensuring our community has access to the services people need, close to home, now and for decades to come.
A new network across the south and beyond
Bayside Health describes Peninsula University Hospital as part of a broader network spanning Melbourne’s southern suburbs through to the Mornington Peninsula, extending to Koo Wee Rup, Phillip Island, Bass Coast and southern Gippsland.
The health network was formed through the voluntary merger of Alfred Health, Bass Coast Health, Gippsland Southern Health Service, Kooweerup Regional Health Service and Peninsula Health.
Why the hospital has a new name
Bayside Health says the “Peninsula University Hospital” name reflects a growing partnership with Monash University, with a stated focus on education, teaching and research, and positioning the hospital as a hub for innovation and evidence-based practice.
Corry said the partnership is intended to strengthen education and research pathways.
Through Peninsula University Hospital, Bayside Health and Monash University are working together to strengthen our commitment to education, teaching and research, as well as increasing access to clinical teaching pathways, research training and hands-on learning.
Sustainability features outlined
Bayside Health says the hospital incorporates environmental measures including an all-electric energy solution, water and energy-saving technologies, and more than 800 kVA of solar panel capacity, which it says is equivalent to 250 to 300 homes.
“Designed around the people who use it”
Bayside Health Peninsula Care Group Chief Executive Associate Professor Helen Cooper said the hospital’s design focus was on patients, families, volunteers and staff.
Peninsula University Hospital has been designed around the people who use it, our patients, consumers and their families, our volunteers and our workforce. Today is a proud moment for everyone who has contributed to making this vision a reality.
Cooper said the opening also reflected Bayside Health’s broader network approach.
The opening of Peninsula University Hospital reinforces Bayside Health’s commitment to delivering integrated, high-quality care across its network. The new hospital is a symbol of strong local leadership and deep community connection.
