May 2005

Green light for new Royal Women’s Hospital

Work will start immediately on building Victoria’s showpiece $250 million new Royal Women’s Hospital (RWH).

Announcing the successful builder with Health Minister Bronwyn Pike, Premier Steve Bracks said the Charles Connibere building at the Royal Melbourne Hospital (RWH) would be demolished as part of the first stage.

The successful builder is the Royal Women’s Health Partnership consortium, comprising project sponsor Bilfinger Berger, builder Baulderstone Hornibrook, financier Macquarie Bank and architects DWI.

‘The relocation of the RWH to the Connibere building site, on the corner of Grattan Street and Flemington Road, will bring together two of Melbourne’s icon hospitals—the Royal Melbourne and the Royal Women’s,’ Mr Bracks said.

‘Building a new world-class women’s hospital will ensure women and their families are given the support they need.’

The new hospital is expected to open its doors to patients by mid-2008.

The existing RWH will continue to operate on its current site until the new hospital is opened.

Mr Bracks said the Royal Women’s and Royal Melbourne would retain their own identities with separate boards, governance and clinical independence.

‘The great advantage will be in having these two great hospitals right next to each other, developing joint medical services in a range of areas such as breast screening, gynaecology, oncology and emergency services.

‘The co-location also improves safety for obstetric patients through immediate access to advanced medical expertise and the specialist care available from the RMH intensive care unit.’

The Victorian Government is providing $190 million for the redevelopment, which comprises eight above-ground and one lower-ground levels and a 945-space underground carpark.

The Charles Connibere Building was the Royal Melbourne Hospital Nurses Home from the late 1940s until the late 1980s when it became more common for nurses to live off-campus.

Several former residents of the Charles Connibere Building are still nursing at the Royal Melbourne Hospital and joined Premier Bracks and Ms Pike for the announcement.

The Charles Connibere Building holds an important place in the history of the Royal Melbourne Hospital and a ‘memory book’ has been opened.

• Former residents can contribute their memories of the nurses’ home by contacting Melbourne Health’s Corporate Affairs unit on 9342 7086 or emailing trudy.habner@mh.gov.au.