The Allan Labor Government is delivering faster, smarter hospital care for Victorians - using digital technology to make it easier for healthcare workers to coordinate resources, manage patient flow and improve outcomes.
Minister for Health Mary-Anne Thomas today visited the Royal Melbourne Hospital in Parkville to view the Digital Coordination Centre in action, following its seamless rollout and 24 months of operation.
The Digital Coordination Centre (DCC) is Victoria's first dedicated hospital hub that uses real-time data from electronic systems to coordinate patient care across the hospital.
The Centre optimises bed capacity, streamlines discharge planning and patient transfers and supports clinicians with prescriptions and tests - ensuring patients are treated safely, efficiently and without unnecessary delays.
Operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week, the Centre ensures continuous patient flow and improves efficiency not just at Royal Melbourne Hospital, but across Victoria's health system through better coordination and transfers.
The Centre also monitors bed availability throughout the day, triggering maintenance requests and cleaning to prepare for incoming patients.
By bringing together clinical, operational and digital teams, the Centre reduces inefficiencies and ensures care is coordinated across the Royal Melbourne Hospital and the broader Parkville precinct.
Since its launch in August 2023, the Digital Coordination Centre has overseen about 130,400 inpatient admissions, more than 93,640 Emergency Department presentations and nearly 11,300 emergency surgeries over the past 12 months.
In addition to improving care at Royal Melbourne Hospital, the DCC supports more than 8,000 patient transfers each year between hospitals and other health services, ensuring timely and seamless care across Victoria.
The centre was developed in partnership with the University of Melbourne's Centre for Digital Transformation of Health and demonstrates the Labor Government's commitment to modernising hospital care through innovation and collaboration.
The Victorian Budget 2025/26 includes more than $31 billion for Victoria's health system, including $1.3 billion for the Royal Melbourne Hospital, supporting high-quality, patient-centred care.
As stated by Minister for Health Mary-Anne Thomas
"The Digital Coordination Centre at the Royal Melbourne Hospital has been a great success - putting patients first and ensuring our public hospital is well equipped to deliver the best outcomes for Victorians."
"This hub marks a bold step forward in modernising healthcare, making it easier for staff to collaborate, respond quickly, and concentrate on what matters most - delivering safer and more connected care for Victorians."
