$76.3 million redevelopment announced for Monash Medical Centre

Children and sick adults will be separated from patients under the influence of drugs and alcohol in a $76.3 million redevelopment of Clayton’s Monash Medical Centre emergency department. Here’s the full list of improvements and when to expect it to be ready.

Patients under the influence of drugs and alcohol will be separated from children and sick adults in a revamped Monash Medical Centre emergency department.

Work is under way on the $76.3 million redevelopment of the major Clayton hospital that records 93,000 emergency department presentations each year.

The revamp will add 24 extra emergency department beds and 10 more short-stay beds, upping capacity as the population in Melbourne’s southeast booms.

The upgrade will also create a dedicated treatment area for children, and a hub to treat patients with mental health and alcohol and other drug issues.

Art impressions of the new Monash Medical Centre emergency

The $76.3 million project includes 24 extra emergency department beds and 10 extra short-stay beds.

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Marking the start of construction on Sunday, Health Minister Jenny Mikakos said a dedicated children’s area would reduce youngsters’ stress about going to hospital.

“We know that for children, going to hospital can be very anxious, it can be a stressful time,” she said.

“Having a calmer, more compassionate space for children is going to be so important to give children and families the support they need.”

The hospital redevelopment, scheduled to be complete in 2022, will also upgrade roads around the hospital to separate traffic and improve access for ambulances.

Premier Daniel Andrews said it would “not be easy” for the major redevelopment to run alongside the functioning hospital.

“But I have great confidence in our builders, architects all who will deliver,” he said.

“This is all about making sure that one of our biggest emergency departments gets even bigger and better.

“The whole team (at Monash Health) do an amazing job.

“Now we are going to make sure at that pointy end of the system, the emergency department, that they have the facilities that match the quality of their skill and commitment.”

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