2021 in review: Question and answer session with our CEO

This year saw the completion of some of our biggest projects, including the $162.7 million expansion of Northern Hospital in Epping, emergency department expansions at both Monash Medical Centre and Sunshine Hospital and a new Youth Prevention and Recovery Care centre in Parkville.

Some are city shaping, some are system changing, but all our projects will have a significant impact on the ability of our healthcare system to respond to future service demand.

Over the past year we also completed over 50 master plans, delivered 22 community consultation committees, undertook over 90 health service site reviews and are currently managing over 120 projects in capital delivery.

Consulting with our key health service stakeholders challenged us in the design and development of many projects as they focused on dealing with the pandemic. In response, our communications team shifted its engagement model, leveraging new virtual tools and channels to keep communities engaged on major projects in development.

Even with the shifting nature of the pandemic and priorities, we continued to develop our approach to design including new universal design principles in aged care and mental health facilities. Our Universal Design Policy was the first for any government agency in Australia. Our sustainability programs continue to gain traction and our improving approach to sustaining and enhancing capital programs has resulted in record investment from the Victorian Government.

Q: What are your 2021 highlights?

'Our industry partners and colleagues have been instrumental in supporting the department and the whole of Government response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Despite the challenges over the past two years, we have successfully accelerated a number of key projects to increase capacity within the health care system and provided technical and engineering advice for health services to manage their infrastructure response to COVID-19.'

Q: What are you looking forward to in 2022?

'The coming year represents an opportunity for us to build on the great work already delivered, while addressing the future challenges of a rapidly changing sector and the critical role we play in driving economic growth. We look forward to collaborating with our community, colleagues and partners on exciting projects and programs of work in coming months.'

Q: For new suppliers, what type of services does the Authority seek?

'We work with organisations with specialist expertise in health service design and planning, architecture, engineering, construction and project management, property and asset management. Our teams approach the market on an ongoing basis to source:

• construction works
• construction services
• professional advisory services.

It’s important to note we don’t procure furniture, fittings or equipment for Victorian health services and hospitals – this is all managed by Health Purchasing Victoria.'

Q: How can I receive the latest updates and news on procurement opportunities?

'We buy works and services using an invitation to supply through:

• Open competitive processes - any supplier can submit an Expression of Interest (EoI) or Request for Proposal, Quote or Tender (RFP, RFQ or RFT).
• Closed competitive processes - suppliers are invited to submit a Request for Proposal, Quote or Tender (RFP, RFQ or RFT) from an established panel or prequalified register (we typically use the Department of Treasury and Finance’s Construction Supplier Register or the Professional Advisory Services State Purchasing Contract).
• Public Private Partnerships (PPPs).

You can also visit the Purchasing process page on Buying for Victoria’s website for more information about how government buys, and Victorian Government procurement guidelines and policies.

Check out our procurement page for more information on how to stay across the latest opportunities.'