# Royal Children’s To Treat An Extra 13,000 Kids A Year

Date: 16 Oct 2026
Released by: Ben Carroll, Premier

## MediaRelease.co Summary

The Victorian Government is investing $66 million to staff the expanded Royal Children's Hospital Emergency Department, which opens in December. The larger ED adds 20 treatment spaces, including cubicles, short-stay beds and fast-track bays, plus a new procedure room, allowing an extra 13,000 children a year to receive emergency care. The funding supports more than 85 additional full-time equivalent positions, including up to 25 graduate nurses, Premier Ben Carroll and Health Minister Ingrid Stitt said.

## Original release

The expanded Royal Children’s Hospital Emergency Department opens this December. And the Carroll Labor Government is investing $66 million to make sure the new treatment spaces are staffed with nurses and ready to treat kids from day one. More children getting care The RCH already treats more than 80,000 emergency patients every year. Our investment means an extra 13,000 children can receive that care, from the best team in the world. The bigger ED will have 20 extra treatment spaces, including new cubicles, short-stay beds and fast-track bays. A new procedure room will also mean minor procedures can be performed in the ED without admission to a ward. It means getting kids home sooner and freeing up beds for other patients. More nurses at the RCH Funding will support more than 85 additional full-time equivalent positions. This includes up to 25 graduate nurses who will join the hardworking and dedicated ED team. A Labor Government built the new Royal Children’s Hospital Now, we’ve delivered an expanded ED so more kids can get the care they need. The bigger and better ED will make life easier for families, particularly during periods of peak demand. The $55 million project includes a 30-bed inpatient ward delivered as part of Stage 1, which is already treating an additional 2,730 children per year. Only Labor builds and opens hospitals, with 12 new hospitals delivered across the state. Jess Wilson’s Liberals have a track record of cutting, closing and privatising hospitals, and taking care away. With a $40 billion cuts plan, a Liberal-One Nation Coalition won’t open a single bed or hire a single nurse. Quotes attributable to Premier Ben Carroll “Working people need a strong, free health system – and our kids deserve the best care.” “This means an extra 13,000 children can receive the emergency care they need from the best team in the world.” Quote attributable to Minister for Health Ingrid Stitt “We’re supporting families and the RCH team by opening every additional treatment space from day one.”

## Key details

- Issued by: Ben Carroll, Premier
- Published: 16 Oct 2026
- Publisher country: Australia
- Subject country/region: Victoria (Australia)

Original source: https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/royal-childrens-treat-extra-13000-kids-year
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