Monash Children’s Hospital funding in Victorian Budget

The Victorian Government announced in the 2011-12 Victorian Budget that it will invest $8.5 million to support the building of the Monash Children’s Hospital as part of its broader $250 million commitment to this important project.

“This is good news. It gives us opportunity to plan for terrific facilities for children and families in the south east of Melbourne and Gippsland”, Shelly Park, Chief Executive Southern Health said.

The Minister for Health David Davis said the Coalition Government would fund the acquisition of the land required for the hospital and the initial planning stages for the Monash Children’s Hospital development. The Minister has also confirmed that a further $51.5 million will be provided towards the project during this term of government.

We have been working with the Department of Health on two development options for the Monash Children’s Hospital project,” Ms Park said.

Our lead clinicians including Monash Children's Medical Director Professor Nick Freezer have been involved in the planning process with the preferred option involving the acquisition of land on the north side of Monash Medical Centre.”

Ms Park said she was pleased that the Victorian Budget includes funds for the purchase of land and detailed and planning for the design of the proposed Monash Children’s Hospital. “The will enable us to move forward on our preferred plan”, Ms Park said.

When completed, the proposed Monash Children’s Hospital will provide 230 beds, three new operating theatres and a new procedure room.

"This development will provide improved access to children’s health services in the south-east suburbs and the Mornington Peninsula," Mr Davis said.

Mr Davis said the Monash Medical Centre was already the third largest provider of tertiary paediatric services in Australia and its expansion into a major children’s hospital was overdue.

"A third of Victoria’s children live in the hospital’s catchment area, and the substantial increase in population in the south-east suburbs, particularly the Casey-Cardinia corridor, has seen a marked increase in demand for hospital facilities for children," Mr Davis said.