Consultation and capital works: a recipe for implementing change

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Management
• Organizational Psychology
• Construction Project Management

Background:

• Hospitals undertaking major capital works require robust consultation mechanisms.
• Limited existing documentation on effective consultation models for large-scale hospital projects.
• The Royal Children's Hospital initiated a significant refurbishment program, necessitating employee and union engagement.

Purpose of the Study:

• To document a newly developed consultation model for major capital works in hospitals.
• To provide a framework for effective collaboration between hospital management, staff, and unions.
• To share a successful model for implementation in other healthcare facilities.

Main Methods:

• Collaborative discussions between three major hospitals and the Health Department Victoria.
• Adaptation of an existing consultation model from Monash Medical Centre.
• Ratification of the model by the Victorian Trades Hall Council for union representation.

Main Results:

• A standardized consultation model was developed and agreed upon by key stakeholders.
• The model was successfully implemented, with minor site-specific adjustments, at three hospitals.
• Key success factors identified include tight project management, regular communication, and 'user group' involvement.

Conclusions:

• The documented consultation model provides a viable framework for Victorian public hospitals undertaking capital works.
• Effective consultation is crucial for managing large-scale hospital development projects.
• The model's success highlights the importance of staff engagement and clear communication channels.