Royal Children’s Hospital to welcome $5.9m elite health centre

A $5.9 million national centre of excellence will be established at the Royal Children’s Hospital to treat some of the nation’s most complex medical cases.

A national centre of excellence will be established at the Royal Children’s Hospital to treat some of the nation’s most complex medical cases.

The new $5.9 million Melbourne Paediatric Colorectal and Pelvic Reconstruction Centre will provide world’s best care for young patients with a range of colorectal, urological, gynaecological and gastrointestinal conditions.

The federal government will on Sunday announce the new unit as well as its funding, which was allocated before parliament entered caretaker mode and is not reliant on the outcome of the federal election.

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The new $5.9 million Melbourne Paediatric Colorectal and Pelvic Reconstruction Centre will provide world’s best care for young patients.

The RCH already cares for more than 300 patients with conditions that will benefit from the centre, including 80 to 100 new patients each year.

Health Minister Greg Hunt said the centre would have significant on-the-ground benefits for sick children and improved support for their families.

“We know these conditions are complex and that the majority of patients suffer from more than one condition,” Mr Hunt said.

“The centre will improve referral pathways and strengthen collaboration between specialists. This will ensure that children receive high- quality, co-ordinated care without unnecessary tests and procedures.”

Health Minister Greg Hunt says the centre will have significant on-the-ground benefits for sick children and improved support for their families. Picture: AAP

While the majority of the hospital’s colorectal, urological and gastrointestinal patients come from all corners of Victoria, the new centre will also support patients from Tasmania and cater for a significant growing number of referrals from NSW, South Australia, WA and the ACT.

The funding will ensure specialist services are available under one roof, including clinical nurse specialists, psychologist support, social workers, physiotherapists and a complex care co-ordinator.

Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack said the funding would help many families from regional areas.

“In learning of some rare medical conditions affecting children, particularly in regional areas of Australia, it was so encouraging to work with Health Minister Greg Hunt to help bring about this new initiative,” Mr McCormack said.

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