Positive Outcomes

The Royal Melbourne Hospital Foundation has supported The Royal Melbourne Hospital over the last 164 years, helping to save lives and improve health care for generations of Victorians. With the generous support of the community we have funded major renovations, research, education and training, vital equipment, volunteers, patient care and much more.

Vital funding has gone towards research, lifesaving equipment and improving patient care this year, and this is the true measure of our success.

In 2005, the Royal Melbourne Hospital Foundation introduced its first $100 RMH Home Lottery. Over the years this luxury home lottery has raised more than $10 million for The Royal Melbourne Hospital.

With the continuing support of the Victorian community, the Royal Melbourne Hospital Foundation will keep on having a positive impact on the patients and their families who we care for when they need us most.

Research Funding

Research is a key focus for The Royal Melbourne Hospital. Funds from previous RMH Home Lotteries support a number of Research positions including the Executive Director of Research and the Associate Professor of Nursing Research. An endowment arrangement is in place with lottery funds to provide ongoing revenue for these positions.

In addition, nearly $2 million from the Lottery funded the establishment of an internal contestable Research Grant program. This program was established in 2009 and is now in its third year of operation. A robust process of contestable applications is overseen by the Research Advisory Council (RAC), which represents all Melbourne Health services, i.e. The Royal Melbourne Hospital, NorthWestern Mental Health and VIDRL.

The Research Advisory Council monitors the research activity through progress reports and outcomes.

Equipment & Technology

Each year the Royal Melbourne Hospital Foundation through the RMH Home Lottery and many fundraising activities funds vital life-saving equipment and improved patient facilities. These funds are made possible by many generous supporters, individuals, community groups, charities, companies and Trusts & Foundations whose contribution reverberate throughout our hospital.

Example of equipment funded this year:

  • An ICU Ventilator - Puritan Bennett
  • 2 TEKMED Haemofilters
  • 2 Theatre Anesthetic Workstation
  • 2 Theatre Operating Tables
  • 50 ICU and Wards Air Humidifiers
  • 20 Wards Pulse Oximiters
  • 3 Wards Bladder Scanners
  • 2 Patient Hoists
  • 200 Patient Bedside Chairs
  • 30 Electronic Beds – particularly important in caring for our older patients
  • BiPap Ventilator for Cardiology

Special Projects Funded

Cardiology Pacemaker/defibrillator Database

This database enables the secure storage of all patients’ pacemaker and defibrillator testing results and pacemaker programs, tracking our patients and supporting planning of elective replacement times for pacemakers and defibrillators, ensuring our Cardiology Service continues its world-class care.

Patient Flow Management System

Patient flow management is key to effective hospital operations and optimal patient care. It has a fundamental association with patient access / bed occupancy and essential to our ability to meet future 4HR emergency admission patient care commitments. This technology will dramatically help improve our patient care experience in future years.

Cooling Blankets

Another life-saving contribution was made to our Intensive Care Unit was made by the Syd and Ann Wellard Perpetual Trust who donated $30,000 towards the purchase of two new cooling blankets.

Mobile x-Ray

Muriel and Les Batten Foundation for their ongoing generous support of the Hospital with a $265,000 gift to fund a Mobile X-Ray Unit and C-Arm Fluoroscopy Unit.

The Mobile X-ray Unit will be used at a patient’s bedside when they are too unwell to move and the C-Arm Mobile Fluoroscopy Unit produces a live x-ray image feed that is displayed on monitors to guide surgeons during a wide range of surgical procedures.

In Partnership with You

Thanks to the generosity of many caring individuals, organisations and corporations, we have a solid history of working together to foster an environment that attracts top medical minds and offers the people of Victoria the care and confidence they deserve. Join us making a positive contribution by making a donation now or by contacting us (03) 9342 7111 or email for more information.