April 2004

New era for Children’s and Women’s Hospitals

The Women’s and Children’s Health Service is to be split into two specialist stand-alone hospitals to give a new focus to the care and treatment of Victoria’s women and children.

Minister for Health Bronwyn Pike said the Government had listened closely to the community which had been asking for investment and focus on the operations of the Children’s Hospital independently of the Royal Women’s Hospital.

‘This decision will give priority to the health of both children and women.

‘Victoria’s women and children deserve respective hospitals that are totally focused on the specific health needs of their patients.’

Ms Pike said the Government was planning a seamless transition with no impact on patient care.

‘The new hospitals will each be run by a Chief Executive Officer reporting to their separate boards.

‘And the board members will be appointed, according to their expertise in specific fields, to focus exclusively on the healthcare needs of their patients.

‘For the Royal Children’s Hospital, this will mean a strong focus on planning for a state-of-the-art new children’s hospital.

‘The Government has contributed $2 million this year as the first step towards the redevelopment of the Royal Children’s Hospital.

‘The $250 million redevelopment of the Royal Women’s Hospital, next to the Royal Melbourne Hospital in Parkville, will be a major task for the new Women’s board to manage.

‘This major development will improve the care given to Victorian women.

‘A separate board will ensure the focus is on delivering the new hospital on time and on budget.

‘The new public hospitals will become a reality on July 1 this year and will deliver the excellent health care Victorians have come to expect.’

Ms Pike said legislation would be introduced into Parliament in May, which will allow for this organisational change.

All existing directors of the board of Women’s and Children’s Health will be offered an appointment to one of the two new boards.

The Government will appoint the new boards before July 1, which will then appoint the CEOs of their respective organisations.

The legislation will ensure staff will transfer with their accrued entitlements preserved and with continuity of service.

There will be no impact on suppliers of goods and services to Women’s and Children’s Health as all existing contracts will be honoured.