Inadequacies of the current facilities were highlighted during the preparation of the RCH Service Plan (2004) and subsequent review in 2005. The RCH business case described these inadequacies as follows:
The current RCH buildings were designed when most hospital care was provided at the bedside and parents could only visit during designated visiting hours. The buildings are now unsuitable for the complex high technology multidisciplinary care now provided for children. The facilities do not support families in the manner expected of a world-class children's institution and have failed to keep pace with the rapid expansion of same day and ambulatory services.
(RCH Business Case, November 2005, p.(i).)
Figure 3A (overleaf) sets out the overall project objectives for the new RCH project that were initially stated in the RCH Business Case (2005) and have been refined over time.
| Figure 3A |
| The new RCH is to be delivered as a modern facility and physical environment which: Service delivery and care • supports family centred care which is culturally and spiritually sensitive, and respects the dignity and needs of children of all ages • utilises its design and location in the park to provide a healing environment for patients, families and staff, and community users of the park • is operationally efficient, optimising the use of people and resources, capable of achieving service plan targets and sustaining service levels into the future • harnesses evidence based design to create an environment that enhances patient safety and clinical excellence People • supports attracting and retaining high quality, committed and inspired staff Future proof and flexible • has flexible infrastructure capable of adapting to new technologies (clinical and information) and emerging trends in paediatric healthcare, changes in clinical practice and models of care and changes in government policy, legislation and standards Teaching and research • engenders an active learning environment and provides appropriate facilities for teaching and research within clinical areas and between the RCH and its key education and research partners (Murdoch Children's Research Institute and the University of Melbourne's Department of Paediatrics) Business continuity • achieves a successful relocation with no interruption in the ongoing delivery of services and minimised impact on the surrounding community and parkland during construction Stakeholder relationships • is achieved through a constructive relationship with users, staff, local community and communities of interest in Royal Park Government commitment, policy and objectives • is procured, completed and maintained in a manner which delivers value for money to the state and within the budget and other parameters agreed by Government. |
Source: Victorian Auditor-General's Office, using data provided by DHS.