The Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH) in Melbourne has confirmed a plan to cut ten full-time equivalent positions at its Children’s Cancer Centre (CCC), just days before the launch of its annual Good Friday Appeal, a flagship fundraising event supporting pediatric health services across Victoria.
The decision, revealed in internal documents and reported by The Sydney Morning Herald, has prompted immediate backlash from healthcare professionals, who argue the move will severely impact the quality of care and support provided to young cancer patients.
Union leaders and hospital staff have expressed concern about the loss of essential roles within the Children’s Hospital’s most specialized cancer unit.
Reduction Linked to Changes in Donor-Funded Positions
According to a change impact statement signed by RCH Chief Executive Peter Steer, the cuts affect roles “currently being supported by donor funds.” The hospital stated that the move is intended to ensure that services “evolve sustainably over time.”
The document, finalized in early April, outlines the redistribution of responsibilities to minimize disruptions, specifying:
“Where applicable, workload will be distributed among remaining staff members in the relevant CCC teams, and across other RCH departments to minimise the impact to service provision.”
The decision affects 13 positions, representing 10 full-time equivalent roles. These include mental health clinicians, art therapists, an allied health assistant, and other support staff.
The CCC remains Victoria’s only provider of complex pediatric oncology and stem cell transplantation, treating around 300 newly diagnosed young patients annually since its opening in 2006.
Hospital to Rely on Centralized Care Model
RCH officials have emphasized that patients will still have access to mental health and allied health services through centralized units within the broader hospital system. The CCC will retain its two dedicated oncologists, and core medical care is expected to remain unchanged.
In an internal message to staff, RCH Head of Medicine Michelle Telfer wrote:
“For those of you who work in the Children’s Cancer Centre and oncology teams, there is a very special bond among staff and the patients and families we care for,” she added
I know each of you will be concerned about the potential impact to our patients and families and want to reassure you we are working towards a solution where the core medical care children receive at the RCH is not compromised.
A public statement from the hospital echoed that sentiment:
“The CCC is world renowned for delivering outstanding care to patients and families dealing with childhood cancer,” it continued,
The CCC will continue to be an international leader in the treatment of childhood cancer. The exceptional medical care children receive at the RCH will not be compromised.
Strong Backlash From Staff and Union
Despite these assurances, some staff members have expressed deep dissatisfaction. One clinician, speaking anonymously to The Age, said:
“We are supposed to be a centre of excellence. Cutting these services will have devastating outcomes for patients and families, increasing the chances of ongoing trauma and making their journey even more challenging and distressing.”
Concerns were also raised about the use of patient images in promoting the Good Friday Appeal, despite the fact that services to those same patients are now being scaled back. A third employee commented simply:
“It’s bad for children’s and family’s mental health.”
Craig McGregor, secretary of the Victorian Allied Health Professionals Association, described the timing of the announcement as deeply troubling:
“I’m staggered that the Royal Children’s Hospital would cut critical cancer care services days out from the Good Friday Appeal. These cuts will cause harm. They must be reversed. This is an appalling act.”
Political and Economic Backdrop
The CCC restructuring follows a similar move earlier this year, when a specialist unit treating complex colorectal conditions was quietly disbanded in February. Opposition health spokeswoman Georgie Crozier called the CCC decision “cruel,” linking it to ongoing financial constraints faced by the Victorian government.
Treasury data from late 2024 revealed that Victoria’s net debt had reached $140.7 billion, with a quarterly interest bill of $1.6 billion—approximately $17.6 million per day.
