A large number of community aged care facilities were dramatically affected by COVID in the second half of 2020 in Victoria. As part of a local area response some residents from aged care facilities were transferred to RMH RPC wards. Over the ensuing period, a number of positive COVID transmissions occurred between patients and staff at RPC. Subsequent reviews identified a number of contributing factors that resulted in three of the four aged care wards being closed.In order to restore use of RPC AC1 and AC2, RMH sought funding from VHBA to upgrade the two aged care wards. VHBA subsequently approved the funding request in October 2021 in full with an expectation that the procurement, design, and delivery of the project will be completed by end of 2022. The site location is: The Royal Melbourne hospital; Royal Park Campus 34-54 Poplar Road, Parkville. Victoria Building 17

In regards to timeframes, for this project a RFP will be released on Monday 25 July and will close on the 19 August. There will be a site visit expected around Wednesday 3rd August 2022. This stage of the project requires Mechanical Engineer and Building Surveyor to tender. This will be conducted via a single source, RFP tender.