New Royal Melb stroke unit doubles beds

Victorians will benefit from a new state-of-the-art stroke care unit at the Royal Melbourne Hospital, with the facility planning to double the number of beds to treat the condition.

With Melbourne Health set to receive an extra $69.6 million under the 2017-18 state budget, Health Minister Jill Hennessy announced the hospital would use the cash to add 31 stroke beds as well as refurbishing 20 existing beds.

"Royal Melbourne Hospital is truly a world leader when it comes to stroke care," she said on Wednesday.

"This new expanded unit will mean even more patients will be able to access life-saving stroke treatment when they need it."

Work on the new $9.3 million facility will begin later in July and wrap up in 2019.