The RCH redevelopment was intended to support key government policy and planning statements, directions and objectives.
Underlying principles and specific relevant content in the following government and DHS policies, reviews and strategies were appropriately referred to during the development of various planning documents for the RCH redevelopment:
• Growing Victoria Together (GVT), originally released in 2001 and refreshed in March 2005-which sets out how the government intends to address important issues. The GVT priority actions relevant to planning for the RCH redevelopment were:
• build, improve and integrate hospitals and community health services
• link and invest in services for mothers and children through pregnancy to age eight
• reduce drug abuse and harm
• tackle health issues linked to inequality including mental and dental health
• Review of Paediatric Services (2002)-this review was commissioned by DHS to inform development of the Metropolitan Health Strategy and the Victorian Rural Human Services Strategy. The review found a fragmented system of care for children and adolescents in Victoria and recommended a stronger focus on children and adolescent health in DHS, and the establishment of a new network structure for all paediatric service providers in the state.
• Metropolitan Health Strategy (MHS) (2003)-the MHS was released in October 2003. It set key directions and objectives for metropolitan health services over the following 5-10 years with future health services to be responsive to community needs, responsible with public funds, and provide the optimal level, distribution and mix of services to meet growing and changing demand. The MHS recommended that the RCH:
• have a strengthened role as the major specialised tertiary paediatric service provider in the state
• have an enhanced role in teaching and research
• continue as the designated statewide provider of paediatric major trauma services, paediatric intensive care and high complexity low volume paediatric services
• have a strengthened leadership and advocacy role in child and adolescent health issues
• work collaboratively with other service providers in the provision of secondary paediatric services across the state
• participate in the development of a statewide, specialised paediatric and adolescent rehabilitation service
• maintain its role as a major provider of child and adolescent mental health services for the west of Melbourne.
• Report of the Premier's Children's Advisory Committee (2004)-this report argued for a comprehensive review and reorganisation of current services for young children and families with a new statewide, whole-of-government framework for investing in children.
• Asset Investment Program (2004)-in 2004, the government reviewed public sector asset management policies. The review led to the introduction of the Victorian Government Asset Management Framework for the general government sector, involving Gateway reviews and adherence to the Partnerships Victoria guidance.
• A Fairer Victoria (2005)-detailed a range of government actions and new partnerships to:
• improve access to vital services
• reduce barriers to opportunity
• strengthen assistance for disadvantaged groups and places
• give people the help they need at critical times in their lives.