There are over 100 hospitals in Melbourne, ranging from relatively small private hospitals, to major full service public hospitals. Some of Melbourne’s largest hospitals, such as the Royal Children’s Hospital, the Royal Melbourne Hospital and the Alfred Hospital, are recognised worldwide, as are some of the more specialised hospitals such as the Peter MacCallum Cancer Institute.

The major hospitals in Melbourne service local, state and national patients. In some cases patients from overseas will be treated in Melbourne hospitals.

In addition to these Melbourne hospitals there are private and public hospitals in 18 rural regions across the State of Victoria.

Not all these hospitals are full service, however a large percentage of them offer:

• Cancer treatment services

• Elective surgery, which in Melbourne includes cardio-thoracic surgery, ear nose throat surgery, gynaecology, orthopaedic surgery, urological and plastic surgery.

• Intensive care services

• Outpatient services

The larger hospitals also provide more specialist services. For example, The Alfred Hospital provides an intensive care unit that provides emergency care on a state wide basis. It also has specialist units for heart and lung transplants, burns and HIV/AIDS treatment.

The Royal Children’s Hospital is one of the world’s major paediatric hospitals, providing specialised medical services to children from around Australia and overseas. The full spectrum of paediatric services are delivered by RCH.

The Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital provides specialist diagnostic and treatment services and emergency care for all eye and ear illnesses. The hospital is a world leader in ENT, Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology research as well as teaching in these fields of medicine.

As well as these major hospitals, Melbourne is lucky to be serviced by a large number of full service hospitals that are region and community based in the provision of their services. For example, the Box Hill Hospital, part of the Eastern Health Group, offers emergency, general and specialist care. It has an intensive care unit, maternity services, mental health, paediatrics, research and teaching.

This is a vast network of medical services, supported by ancillary organisations such as the Victorian Ambulance Service, pathology services and similar related services. This means that no matter where you live, you won’t be far from a full service hospital. Most general procedures such as those provided by a Melbourne orthopaedic surgeon, or ENT specialists, will be available to you somewhere relatively close to your home and support networks.

If you do need to travel to one of the larger hospitals, or a specialised private hospital where you can be treated by your preferred specialist, a particular ear nose and throat specialist for example, there is still not far to travel.

Touch wood, we will not need to use these services often, if ever. However the reality is that many of us do and it’s good to know that the infrastructure and expertise available to us is significant.