Royal Melbourne Hospital boss Christine Kilpatrick says it was a “difficult” decision for the hospital to operate as normal next Thursday, but a majority of staff were aware it was the right call to make.

The hospital won’t run on a public holiday schedule for the National Day of Mourning for the Queen on September 22.

“We have 600 outpatients booked for that day, which is very full, and to cancel 600 … the task is enormous, but the inconvenience and risk to their care is very, very significant,” she said.

Press PLAY below to hear why the hospital is running as normal