Monash Children’s Hospital to get kids emergency ward

IT’S the waiting room no parent wants to visit, but sick children are set to receive specialist care in a dedicated emergency department next to the Monash Children’s Hospital.

A dedicated emergency department for kids will be established next to the Monash Children’s Hospital as part of a $63 million boost in next month’s State Budget. Picture: David Caird

A DEDICATED emergency department for kids will be established next to the Monash Children’s Hospital as part of a $63 million boost in next month’s State Budget.

Premier Daniel Andrews and Health Minister Jill Hennessy made the announcement while touring the new Clayton hospital, which opened last month and will be taking its first patients today.

The Opposition had been calling for the hospital project, announced under the Napthine Government, to include an emergency department.

Ms Hennessy said the Monash Medical Centre emergency department would be expanded to an include an exclusive area for children.

Alexandra Kelsey, 6, and Ruav Takhar, 3, with Nurse Steph Caldwell at the Monash Children’s Hospital. Picture: Kylie Else

Mental health patients will also have their own dedicated area.

In total, there will be an additional 24 emergency department cubicles and an extra 10 short-stay beds for patients who need care for less than 24 hours.

“Like the rooftop helipad, we’ve once again stepped in and provided funding for the emergency department expansion after it was cut by the former Liberal Government,” Ms Hennessy said.

“The new and expanded emergency department will mean sick kids can be treated quicker, in a calm setting that is respectful of their privacy and needs.”

Mr Andrews said the expansion would help cater for population growth in Melbourne’s southeast corridor.

“The new Monash Children’s Hospital will provide the very best care in the very best facilities — and now they’ll have a world-class emergency department to match,” Mr Andrews said.

But Opposition health spokeswoman Mary Wooldridge said: “Daniel Andrews is delivering an inferior model in the adult hospital in comparison to the dedicated children’s emergency department the Liberals promised to deliver.”

The Monash Children’s Hospital will begin taking sick babies, children and teens from today who need specialist care from Melbourne’s southeast suburbs, the Mornington Peninsula and Gippsland.

Up to 130 young patients from two paediatric wards will be transferred to the new hospital.

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