Health · Healthcare & Policy · 4 hrs ago
Victoria commits $66m to staff 20 new beds at children's hospital
The Victorian government has pledged $66 million to staff 20 new beds at Melbourne's Royal Children's Hospital.
The beds were part of a hospital upgrade promised in 2018, but staff warned they could sit unused because there was not enough funding for workers.
The government says the funding will cover 85 full-time equivalent nursing positions, including up to 25 graduate nurses.
The new beds are now due to open in December, with nurses in place from the start.
The expanded emergency department will include short-stay beds, fast-track bays and a room for minor procedures.
Premier Ben Carroll said the changes could allow 13,000 more children to receive emergency care, while the department currently treats about 90,000 patients a year.
Victoria has committed an extra $66 million to staff 20 new beds at Melbourne’s Royal Children’s Hospital.
The funding will pay for 85 additional full-time equivalent nursing positions, including up to 25 graduate nurses.
The beds, initially due to open in November, are now expected to be ready to treat patients in December.
The commitment followed concerns that the beds would remain unused because the hospital lacked funding for staff.
The government says the new beds could allow an extra 13,000 children to receive emergency care.
- Who
- The Victorian government and Melbourne’s Royal Children’s Hospital.
- What
- The government committed $66 million to staff 20 new beds, funding 85 additional full-time equivalent nursing positions.
- When
- The commitment was announced in October 2026. The beds are expected to open in December.
- Where
- The Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne, Victoria.
- Why
- Staff had raised concerns that the beds would sit empty because there was no funding to staff them.
Hospital staff and sources
Victorian government
Funding request
Hospital staff and sources
A letter from an emergency department manager said the government had rejected a funding request to operate the beds.
Victorian government
The government denied it had rejected the request.
Staffing the beds
Hospital staff and sources
Staff raised concerns the beds would not be used without funding for workers.
Victorian government
The government has now committed funding for 85 extra full-time equivalent nursing positions and says the beds will be staffed when they open.
The new beds were promised as part of a $55 million upgrade to the Royal Children’s Hospital.
Hospital sources told the ABC the beds would not be used because there was no funding for staff.
The Victorian government committed an extra $66 million to fund 85 additional full-time equivalent nursing positions.
The new beds are expected to open, staffed and ready to treat children.
- Funding
- $66 million
- New beds
- 20
- Nursing positions
- 85 additional full-time equivalent positions, including up to 25 graduate nurses
- Hospital
- Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne
- Expected opening
- December 2026
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