From left: Director of Surgical Services Sinead Cucanic, Chair Board of Directors Dr Sherene Devanesen, Dr Jaqueline Beltz, Professor Stephen O'Leary, The Hon Mary-Anne Thomas, Professor Keith Martin, CEO Brendon Gardner.
Redevelopment of the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital (Eye and Ear) in Melbourne is complete and the facility has been unveiled at an event officiated by The Hon. Mary-Anne Thomas, Minister for Health and Health Infrastructure.
A leading provider of eye and ear health in Victoria, the Eye and Ear integrates clinical care, research, and education to optimise innovation and provide advanced treatments for vision and hearing loss. In 2022-24, the hospital provided over 192,000 episodes of care, including over 136,000 specialist clinics appointments, 42,371 emergency attendances and over 14,000 inpatient admissions.
As Victoria’s third oldest public hospital, our specialist knowledge and expertise position us well to continue to provide the best care for Victorians over the next 160 years and beyond
The redeveloped facility boasts a 24-hour Emergency Department (ED), ED Short Stay Unit with four 24-hour beds, a perioperative suite with eight state-of-the-art theatres, a fresh inpatient ward with 24 beds, and a dedicated floor for our clinics, offering over 90 specialist services.
At the unveiling on 23 April, Chief Executive Officer, Brendon Gardner, said the redevelopment of Australia’s only eye, ear, nose and throat hospital, “signifies a new chapter” in the Eye and Ear’s 160-year history.
“As Victoria’s third oldest public hospital, our specialist knowledge and expertise position us well to continue to provide the best care for Victorians over the next 160 years and beyond,” he said.
Internationally Renowned
The Eye and Ear is nationally and internationally renowned for teaching, training, and research since its founding in 1863.
“The Eye and Ear was built on three pillars; care, training and research,” said Associate Professor Penelope Allen, Head of the Eye and Ear’s Vitreoretinal Surgical Unit.
“What is most profound to me is that we are all still upholding these principles today. The Eye and Ear is the leading trainer of ophthalmologists in Victoria through the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmology. Doctors from all over the world come to train at the hospital in ophthalmology and otolaryngology, to learn from leaders in the industry, colleagues, renowned here and internationally. Our dedication to research and improving patient’s lives now and in the future is something I know we constantly strive for.”
From having 60 inpatients in 1865, to having over 14,000 in 2023, and from small, humble beginnings, Victorians from metro, regional and rural areas will continue to benefit from this centre of excellence and hub of specialist eye, ear, nose and throat knowledge and expertise for years to come.
Gisborne Street entrance to the Victorian Royal Eye and Ear Hospital.
History wall by Leon Farrell.
From left: Director of Surgical Services Sinead Cucanic, Chair Board of Directors Dr Sherene Devanesen, Dr Jaqueline Beltz, Professor Stephen O'Leary, The Hon Mary-Anne Thomas, Professor Keith Martin, CEO Brendon Gardner.
