A $56.3 million overhaul of the Royal Melbourne Hospital's emergency department will take the State Government's investment in the hospital over the $200 million mark.

Health Minister Bronwyn Pike said the rebuilding of the Royal Melbourne Hospital's emergency department, which currently treats more than 45,000 patients each year, would more than double the ED's size.

'The Royal Melbourne Hospital's emergency department is expected to treat more than 64,000 patients per year by 2015 and this expansion by the Government will go a long way towards meeting the public's growing needs.'

Ms Pike said that the $56 million redevelopment would include:

•          20 more cubicles (up from 36 to 58);

•          A new front entry;

•          Two dedicated trauma rooms;

•          More than double the number of short stay beds (up from five to 12);

•          30 beds for longer observation patients;

•          Three negative pressure rooms for infectious disease treatment;

•          Four new mental health rooms.

Ms Pike said the Royal Melbourne was the busiest hospital in Australia and needed an emergency department that could meet the needs of Victorians into the future.