The Andrews Labor Government's expansion of the Royal Children's Hospital continues to take shape, with the first stage of the $49.4 million upgrade now complete.
The new 30-bed inpatient ward has started treating patients with a range of illnesses, including cancer.
Once fully operational, the new ward will treat an additional 2,730 children each year and help meet increasing demand for specialist paediatric treatment and care, with children from around the world and across Australia presenting to the hospital.
The Royal Children's Hospital has the state's busiest paediatric emergency department, often experiencing more than 300 presentations a day.
This investment from the Labor Government will mean more patients can receive the care they need, when they need it.
Stage two of the expansion will create an extra 20 emergency clinical treatment spaces - increasing capacity to treat 13,140 extra children each year.
The project is also delivering staff rooms, a new entrance to the emergency department and a purpose-built sensory room - providing children and families with a calming space to receive treatment and care.
Stage two of the expansion is on-track to be completed in mid-2023, with the upgrade of the existing emergency department to finish in mid-2024.
Delivered by the Victorian Health Building Authority in partnership with the Royal Children's Hospital, the project has created about 120 construction jobs.
The hospital is one of the world's leading institutions for paediatric health, attracting patients with the highest needs, and is also an important hospital in paediatric training and research.
As stated by Acting Minister for Health Infrastructure Colin Brooks
"Whether it's a broken bone or life-saving cancer treatment - our kids deserve world-class healthcare, and that's what we have been working hard to deliver every single day."
"We're ensuring the Royal Children's Hospital has the facilities and spaces it needs to support the work of its dedicated doctors, nurses and allied health staff."
