The redevelopment of Australia's only specialist eye, ear, nose and throat hospital is now complete, with the world class specialist health, research and education facility bigger and better than before.
Minister for Health Infrastructure Mary-Anne Thomas today visited the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital to inspect the upgraded facilities following vital works to safeguard the future of one of Australia's oldest hospital services.
The state-of-the art upgrades will mean the hospital's expert doctors can meet growing demand, with capacity to treat an additional 7,000 patients each year.
This is made possible by a new 13-cubicle emergency department, eight upgraded operating theatres and 14 recovery spaces, as well as a further 37 same-day beds and 42 consulting rooms.
While in a boost to the future pipeline of ear, eye and throat specialists - improved teaching, training and research facilities are now located on upper levels, with patient services located on the first three floors of the buildings to improve navigation across the hospital.
The redevelopment also delivered a new Central Sterile Services Department and a full upgrade of the hospital's engineering infrastructure and central plant - making the hospital safer and more efficient.
All these major upgrades have been achieved while the hospital continued its world-leading and life-saving work for thousands of Victorians.
More than 3,300 cubic metres of concrete and 500 tonnes of steel reinforcement were used during construction, supporting 2,500 local jobs throughout the project.
The Allan Labor Government invested $144.7 million toward the important project, with the Commonwealth providing $100 million, and the hospital an additional $72.9 million.
Established in 1863, The Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital is at the forefront of research and teaching and was instrumental in developing the world-leading bionic ear, which later became the groundbreaking Cochlear implant.
As stated by Minister for Health Infrastructure Mary-Anne Thomas
"The Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital has a long history of delivering world-renowned care, treatment and research - this redevelopment will help them continue this groundbreaking work."
"More Victorians will now be able to get the specialist eye and ear, nose and throat public health care they need with the hospital upgrade expanding its capacity to treat an additional 7,000 patients each year."
