COMMUNITY activists are demanding a children’s hospital in Wyndham.

The Wyndham Action Planners have sent letters to political parties in recent weeks about the lack of child services in one of the state’ fastest-growing areas.

Werribee Mercy Hospital recorded 1894 births last year, and Wyndham’s population is expected to exceed 245,000 by 2021.

Manor Lakes Residents Association secretary Fiona Fox has thrown her support behind the proposal.

“It would draw people from a wide area because at the moment the accessibility of medical services is very difficult,” she said.

“To book an appointment at the hospital to see a paediatrician, there is a six-month waiting list. There are many people who are forced to wait, and as a parent I think that’s reason enough.”

Opposition health spokesman David Davies said the new Royal Women’s Hospital and the Royal Children’s Hospital had been built too small, and it was time the government started to plan for the next 50 years of demand.

“It’s clear that the western region is a significant growth area and there has been a failure to plan for the necessary services,” he said.

“The coalition would be looking at the long term, including children’s services in Melbourne’s West.”

Point Cook Residents Association president Daniel Mumby said the Werribee Mercy Hospital would not be able to cope with future demand.

“We are one of the largest baby belts,” he said.

“If Werribee is struggling to cope now, then I think we will need it across the board.”

Wyndham Action Planner Lori McLean said there had been a stigma across the West where funding was concerned.

“We have the highest growth in the state, which means more families and more children,” she said.

“We can’t just have one hospital to service all suburbs.”

A government spokesman said the government would continue to invest in the hospitals and health services for residents in the western suburbs.