The Royal Women’s Hospital (formerly the Women’s & Children’s Health Network)

Campaign:
In 2000 the Victorian Government had committed $64 million for the redevelopment of the 130 year-old Royal Women’s Hospital in Carlton. The new CEO quickly ascertained that this would only provide a short-term solution. Her initial requests to Government for more money were not met.

Our Approach:
Socom resolved with the CEO that the solution lay in building community support for the project - which no Government in an election year could ignore.
In a carefully targeted community relations campaign-  in which 1000 Victorians (mostly women) participated - the public demand for the full rebuilding of the hospital was created. Powerful and well-known Victorian women were recruited to a Community Steering Committee, which operated independently of the Hospital to lead a community consultation and recruitment program. Socom assisted it to build support from nearly 1000 community leaders and members.

Results:
In the election campaign in late 2002, first the Opposition and then the Government came out in support of a new Women’s Hospital. The Victorian Premier, Steve Bracks in November 2002 committed $190 million to the full redevelopment.
In October 2003, Premier Bracks and the Minister for Health Bronwyn Pike signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Royal Women’s Hospital and The Royal Melbourne Hospital. Work began on the redevelopment project in October 2003.
Socom has continued to work with the hospital to manage and measure the relationships with its stakeholders and to consult with them on the next phase of the hospital’s strategic plan.

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