Clayton Melbourne - Monash Children's Hospital

New Hospital - Second Children's Hospital For Melbourne - Located Next to Monash Medical Centre In Clayton

Reports on Monday have suggested that Melbourne is to be blessed with a second dedicated Children's Hospital to be located in the south east suburbs. The new facility is set to be built next to the established Monash Medical Centre in Clayton according to an exclusive report in the Herald Sun newspaper.

The Monash Children's Hospital will be a $220 million, 200 bed facility and will become Australia's third largest pediatric facility. The new Royal Children's Hospital in Parkville is set to open in 2011. That hospital will provide 340 beds.

Monash Medical Centre run by Southern health already has a dedicated Children's program:

Monash Children's provides the highest levels of care right where it is needed in the growing south eastern suburbs of Melbourne. With approximately 330,000 young residents aged 0-19 years living in our catchment area - a quarter of the state's child population - our Children's Program operates from three of our major sites serving newborn, child and adolescent needs.

But a new dedicated facility will create a much better environment for children and is expected to deal with the anticipated increase in demand for health services from the south east of Victoria in coming years.

The State Government is yet to confirm any plans for the Monash Medical Children's Hospital. Any funding for the project would likely be included in the State May Budget. In addition, it is likely that the State Government will be calling on the Federal Government for funds.