Monash Medical Centre: Expanding a busy major hospital

More Victorians now have access to the care they need thanks to the $76.3 million Monash Medical Centre emergency department expansion and refurbishment project.

The expansion includes a new emergency department and a dedicated children’s emergency area. This area is designed to provide children with a private, calm and compassionate environment and to help meet increasing demand for paediatric emergency care.

An additional 28 emergency department beds and an extra six short-stay beds (for a total of 20 beds) for patients who need extended observation have also been added. There are now 110 points of care within the emergency department.

The redevelopment will also improve access for ambulances arriving at the emergency department, so that patients can be seen more quickly.

Why Monash Medical Centre?

Monash Medical Centre is a major hospital providing a range of specialist surgical, medical, allied health and mental health services to the communities of south eastern metropolitan Melbourne.

It’s also the base for Monash Heart, a centre of excellence in cardiac assessment, treatment and research, and Monash Children’s, the third largest provider of paediatric services in Australia. 

Monash Medical Centre is one of the busiest hospitals in Melbourne and is forecast to experience a significant increase in presentations over the next decade. 

Before the project began, the hospital was recording more than 93,000 emergency department presentations each year.

What the expansion delivered

The expanded and refurbished emergency department at the Monash Medical Centre is now able to support 46,000 extra presentations each year.

Project Stage 1: Building a new emergency department

In March 2021 we delivered a new emergency department at the Monash Medical Centre with a new triage entrance, a dedicated children’s emergency area and triage resus bays with pandemic negative air flow capability which reduces risk of spreading airborne diseases.

Project Stage 2: Refurbishing the existing emergency department

Thanks to an accelerated program, we were able to open the refurbished emergency department just before Christmas 2021.

‘This completely transformed the old and outdated area, delivering 41 adult emergency bays and a 20-bed sort stay unit.

‘We were also able to incorporate design features that are environmentally responsible and resource efficient,’ said Mr Hannaford.

Project Stage 3: Improving access

On track to be completed later this year, the final part of the project will provide a dedicated drop-off area for patients and visitors.

Previously there was a single entrance for patients arriving by ambulance, visitors and deliveries which caused blockages. Each now has a separate entrance.

‘With better access for ambulances, patients can receive the vital care they need faster,’ said Mr Hannaford.

Community consultation

An enhanced patient journey and experience was a key aim and outcome of the project.

Careful planning to minimise disruption

The existing emergency department at the Monash Medical Centre continued to function with unchanged capacity throughout the project. 

‘This included planning disruptive works to be done after-hours or around critical hospital activities.’

Staged construction

The project team including the building contractor, Kane Constructions developed a methodology for the expansion by prioritising:

1. Health and wellbeing of staff, patients and visitors inside the operational hospital
2. Safe access to the hospital for staff, patients and visitors throughout the works
3. Business and operational continuity for the hospital including building services, access for support services and deliveries
4. Safe traffic movements adjacent to the site, particularly public movements on Clayton Road, Dixon Street, main entrance and the new McCulloch Street, as well as vehicle and staff movement through areas adjacent to the site
5. Maintaining vehicle access to the loading dock, ambulance bays, drop off areas and car parking

What made this project unique?

The project site was immediately adjacent to the main entrance, intensive care unit (ICU), operating theatres, ambulance access and Monash Children’s Hospital.

Construction also took place during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Better facilities and tools

Dr Goldie said: ‘The expansion has improved facilities, introduced new state-of-the-art technology and equipment, and enhanced our service delivery so we can meet the needs of the growing local community.

Seamless transfers, separation of care

‘We can implement new models of care and to better segregate adult and children’s care. We can also maintain a seamless transfer for patients requiring emergency surgery, critical care or paediatric inpatient care,’ said Dr Goldie.

‘Our short stay units provide a quiet and calm environment for patients who require extended observation and care for up to 24 hours, but who will not require admission to a multiday bed.’