The Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital redevelopment

Once complete, the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital redevelopment will provide:

• eight operating rooms and 14 recovery spaces, all co-located on one floor
• 37 same-day beds/chairs
• 24 overnight stay inpatient beds
• new 13-cubicle emergency department (completed in May 2016)
• 42 multi-functional and flexible outpatient consulting rooms
• new central suite supply department
• updated pharmacy
• electronic medical records
• co-located general support areas
• significant future expansion space
• a full upgrade of the hospital's engineering infrastructure and central plant
• improved teaching, training and research facilities consolidated in the upper levels of the building.

During the redevelopment, the hospital’s services have continued to operate from two different locations. Outpatient clinics and day surgery are based at the 'Eye and Ear on the Park' (the old Peter MacCallum site), while all other services remain at the main hospital on Gisborne Street, along with the emergency department.

The additional site allows the hospital's redevelopment project to continue with less impact on staff and patients.

The Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital redevelopment aims to achieve the following benefits:

Patient care and comfort

The 13-cubicle emergency department is designed to use advanced technology. It is also designed to support staff to deliver better care and comfort. This means that patients can access the urgent ophthalmology and ear, nose and throat services that they need.

Improved accessibility

The redeveloped hospital will consolidate patient clinical services on the lower three floors of the buildings. This aims to improve patient navigation and connections between hospital towers.

Natural design

The link bridges are designed to provide increased natural light.

This project is being delivered by the Victorian Health Building Authority in partnership with:

• The Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital
• Lyons (architect and principal consultant)
• Hansen Yuncken (construction manager).

The Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital is closely affiliated with, and accommodates, the University of Melbourne departments of Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and the Centre for Eye Research Australia.

The project is funded by the hospital and the Victorian and Australian Governments.