Masterplan completed for the Royal Melbourne Hospital in 2000 including the facilitation of links with the Bio 21 Precinct
The Masterplan Review of 2000 looked at the completion refurbishment and rebuilding of Inpatient Wards, Outpatient Clinics, Infrastructure and future RMH needs, including a car park shortage of 600-700 cars.
Major acute teaching hospitals are always changing and evolving to develop new procedures and meet modern standards. It is important that RMH maintains its flexibility to respond to these demands. They could include Radiotherapy Bunkers as part of a Comprehensive Cancer Centre and additional clinics or patient wards for clinical trials of new procedures or medicines.
RMH is in the centre of the Bio 21 Precinct. On this site it also accommodates many of the major research groups including the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute and Ludwig Institute of Cancer Research. A key question of the Masterplan Review was how the RMH site can facilitate a link with this Bio 21 Precinct. The Masterplan recommended the Stage 3 Redevelopment include the completion of the Front Entry Building to create 150 beds to replace existing substandard wards in the Main Building Block. On the roof of this building would be located a helipad for the Statewide Trauma Service. Decanting works required for this construction continued the process of grouping Outpatient Clinics on the First Floor and horizontal groupings between the Main and South Block Buildings of the major business units. Later stages of the Redevelopment will complete the Ward upgrade, Clinics and Support Services.
