Royal Children’s Hospital Beds Stay Empty Amid Staff Shortage
A leaked internal memo reveals that 20 newly built emergency beds at Melbourne’s Royal Children’s Hospital will stay empty when the redevelopment finishes in November because the health service cannot staff them. The hospital’s director of emergency medicine blamed the state government for rejectin…
By Felo News Desk · Published
On September 22, 2026, a leaked internal email from the Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH) in Melbourne shocked the health community. The memo, written by Dr. Stuart Lewena, the hospital’s director of emergency medicine, warned that 20 new emergency beds—built as part of a multimillion‑dollar redevelopment—would remain empty when the project is completed in November. The reason: a severe shortage of doctors and nurses, a shortfall that the hospital claims the state government has failed to address.
What Happened?
Dr. Lewena’s email, sent to staff on September 11, detailed the hospital’s frustration with the government’s decision to reject a funding request for additional frontline staff. The memo highlighted that the new beds, which were intended to increase the emergency department’s capacity by roughly 50 percent, could not be opened because the hospital lacks the personnel to staff them. The email also cited waiting times that could exceed 12 hours and a record influx of sick children to the emergency department.
Background: The Redevelopment and Staffing Crisis
The RCH’s emergency department moved into a new building on Flemington Road in Parkville in 2011, designed to accommodate 60,000 children annually. By 2018, the department was treating more than 80,000 children each year, forcing staff to use adjacent spaces not intended for emergency care. Today, the department handles about 90,000 presentations per year—an increase of roughly 50 percent over its original capacity.
Dr. Lewena described the situation as a result of “flawed planning” and chronic under‑resourcing. He noted that the department’s current staffing levels are the lowest among children’s hospital emergency departments in Australia, according to a recent Australasian College for Emergency Medicine census. The census found that comparable Australian departments had, on average, 40 percent more nurses, 50 percent more doctors, and 60 percent more assessment beds.
Why the Beds Will Stay Empty
According to the memo, the hospital’s request for operational funding to staff the new beds was rejected by the state government. Dr. Lewena argued that the government’s “responsible and modest” request was necessary to maintain the standard of care that children deserve. He also criticized the suggestion that children with less serious conditions could be diverted to general practitioners (GPs). The memo clarified that about one third of the department’s lower‑acuity patients (categories 4 and 5) actually require emergency treatment, with conditions such as appendicitis, pneumonia, septic arthritis, and new diagnoses of leukemia.
In the absence of additional staff, the 20 new beds will remain unused, meaning the hospital will continue to operate with a capacity that does not match the volume of patients it serves. This shortfall is expected to prolong waiting times and strain existing staff further.
Reactions and Next Steps
A spokesperson for the RCH said the redevelopment would still be completed later this year and that the hospital is working with the Department of Health to improve access to emergency care. The state government, however, did not provide details on the funding rejection or on when the new beds would open to patients. The government spokesperson confirmed that the works were due to finish this year and that they are collaborating with the hospital on workforce arrangements.
Health officials have highlighted that Victoria’s health system received more than $32.3 billion in investment this year, but the RCH’s staffing needs remain unmet. The hospital’s leadership has supported the department’s staffing requirements for the new beds, but the lack of government funding has stalled the process.
As the redevelopment nears completion, the RCH faces a critical decision: either secure the necessary staff to activate the new beds or risk leaving them unused, which would undermine the investment and continue to burden patients and staff alike.
What This Means for Families
For families in Melbourne, the situation translates to longer waits and potentially delayed treatment for children in need. The RCH has warned that waiting times could exceed 12 hours during peak periods. The hospital’s inability to staff the new beds means that the department will continue to operate at a level that does not reflect the increased demand it has been experiencing for years.
While the government’s investment in the health system is substantial, the RCH’s case underscores the importance of aligning infrastructure upgrades with adequate staffing. Without sufficient personnel, even the most advanced facilities cannot deliver the care that patients require.
Unresolved Questions
Key questions remain unanswered: When will the government approve the additional funding? How will the RCH address the staffing shortfall? And what measures will be taken to prevent similar situations in the future? These issues will likely shape policy discussions in the coming months.
Key facts
- 20 new emergency beds at RCH will stay empty due to staff shortages
- The hospital’s request for additional funding was rejected by the state government
- RCH treats about 90,000 children annually, 50% over its designed capacity
- Lower‑acuity patients often need emergency care, challenging diversion strategies
- Australia’s benchmark shows RCH has the lowest staffing levels among children’s hospitals
Why it matters
The situation highlights a critical gap between infrastructure investment and workforce capacity, directly affecting the quality and timeliness of emergency care for children in Melbourne.
Frequently asked questions
Why are the new beds at RCH not being used?
The hospital lacks sufficient doctors and nurses to staff the new beds, a shortfall that the state government has not addressed.
What is the current waiting time at RCH’s emergency department?
Waiting times can exceed 12 hours during periods of high demand.
Has the government provided any alternative staffing solutions?
The government has not yet offered a detailed plan to address the staffing deficit.
Sources
- [1] smh.com.au — originally reported as “Royal Children’s Hospital emergency department: 20 new beds will remain empty due to staff shortage”
