An overview of visitor guidelines, facilities and resources at The Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH).

Visitor limits and guidelines

As part of our COVID-19 safety measures, there are limits on the number and type of visitors who can come in to see patients. Some visitors may also need to take a RAT test. Guidelines will vary, so before visiting it’s important to check our Visitor Guidelines page.

For your safety and the safety of our patients, families and staff, people who have COVID-19 or flu-like symptoms need to stay home and take care of themselves.

Arrival and check in

Please prepare for a check in process up to 30 minutes. You will need to check in whether you are visiting a ward or attending a specialist appointment.  

For everyone’s safety, we provide surgical masks which you must wear over your mouth and nose. We also ask that you sanitise your hands regularly.

After hours

The main hospital entry doors are locked at 8.30pm each night and unlocked at 8am each morning. Parents staying by their child’s bedside overnight should speak with the nursing staff if they wish to leave and return to the hospital.  

Gifts

You are welcome to bring gifts when visiting, but please make sure any balloons are latex free.

If you would like to bring flowers, we recommend checking first with the nursing staff, as some wards or patients cannot have flowers in their room.

Getting here

The RCH is located at 50 Flemington Road, Parkville.

Parking

Ticketed parking is available underneath the hospital. Access is via Entry 1, 2 or 4 from Flemington Road. Visit our Car Parking page.

Public transport

Trams 58 and 59 stop outside the hospital. Tram route 57 also stops nearby.

Food and shops

• Our hospital has its own food court, supermarket and retail precinct on the Ground floor where you can buy meals, snacks or gifts. There are also two ATMs on the ground floor.
• Fridges and microwaves can be found in the Parent Lounges and the Family Hub. These allow parents and carers to prepare food for their own consumption.  
• To keep patients safe we have strict policies around bringing in outside food for patients.

Family facilities and services

We have a range of facilities on site to support parents, carers and other visitors.

• The Family Hub  is a friendly, space with facilities including kitchen, tea and coffee, magazines, showers, a quiet room and access to our friendly volunteers.
• Parent Lounges  adjacent to each ward have fridges, microwaves and tea/coffee facilities.
• Hoyts Beanbag Cinema is a free cinema for patients and immediate family members.
• Outdoor spaces  and play areas are available within the hospital and in nearby Royal Park.
• A Laundry  is available on Level 2 for use by parents.
• Wadja Aboriginal Family Place provides social, cultural and emotional support, along with a Health Clinic.  
• Chaplains offer pastoral and spiritual care.
• An Interpreter Service is available by phone 24 hours, seven days a week.
• Hospital Social Workers help children and families them cope with or adjust to their health condition.

Resources for you and your child

• Kids’ health info is a suite of resources including fact sheets and podcasts. These include  A Child’s Guide to Hospital – a video series to help explain the hospital experience.
• RCH TV is our very own TV show – available through the entertainment system in patient rooms.
• Staff you might meet  is a web page explaining ‘who’s who’ at the RCH.

Appointments, tests and pharmacy

• Many people coming to the RCH will attend an appointment at one of our Specialist Clinics (also known as outpatient services). These are located on the Ground Floor.
• Our Pathology Collection department (for blood tests) can be found within the Specialist Clinic.
• Many families will also need to access Medical Imaging for X-Rays and scans.
• Medications can be collected from the Hospital Pharmacy.