Free patient accommodation at Melbourne hospital replaced by apartments

Women receiving cancer treatment and parents of babies in intensive care at the Royal Women's Hospital have lost access to free family accommodation. The Victorian government has sold the site to developers for new apartments. This change was announced with little notice, causing concern among hospital staff and families. The accommodation had 14 flats available for patients from regional areas needing specialized care in Melbourne. Many patients could stay for free, but now families must find their own hotels, relying on a $45 nightly allowance from the government. This allowance has not increased since 2017, while hotel prices have risen significantly. Rebecca Aliberti, a mother from Gippsland, was dismayed to learn the accommodation was closed. She used it during her pregnancies, which required frequent hospital visits. She believes the support of family in such difficult times is crucial. The Royal Women’s Hospital noted that the site was underutilized and needed significant upgrades. However, some hospital staff reported that it was still in use before the closure. They expressed frustration over the lack of alternatives for patients, especially those needing abortion care or cancer treatment. Dr. Nisha Khot from the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists voiced concern about the financial burden on patients who now have to pay for accommodation. Others, including Women’s Health Victoria’s CEO, emphasized the need for safe and affordable places for rural women traveling to Melbourne for care. The government claims that new housing developments will replace the accommodation. However, skepticism remains about whether these developments will address the accommodation needs of patients. Opposition members criticized the decision, calling it neglectful of vulnerable patients' needs.