Health Minister opens new $3million stroke service at Swan District Hospital

Health Minister Dr Kim Hames today officially opened the new $3million Comprehensive Stroke Service at Swan District Hospital.

"Stroke is Australia's second biggest killer and one of the greatest causes of disability," Dr Hames said.

"One Australian suffers a stroke every 10 minutes. As our population in Western Australia grows and ages, it is vital we have state-of-the-art services for treating this deadly condition.

"The new Comprehensive Stroke Service at Swan District Hospital will for the first time enable most local patients who suffer stroke, which is about 160 a year, to receive the treatment they need much closer to home. This will save them the inconvenience and stress of having to transfer to other hospitals across the city."

The Minister said the opening of the new stroke service also represented a major milestone for plans to deliver a new Metropolitan General Hospital at Midland.

"The Liberal-National Government is committed to opening a new state-of-the-art Metropolitan General Hospital at Midland by 2014," he said.

"The new Midland Health Campus will be the first new public hospital in this area for more than 50 years. Clinical services provided at Swan District Hospital will transfer to the new facility when it opens

"The new campus will ensure people living in one of the city's fastest growing regions have access to a comprehensive range of specialist hospital services on their doorstep.

"Expanding key services now, such as care for patients who suffer stroke, is integral to our plans for the new hospital."

The new Comprehensive Stroke Service comprises a 12-bed ward dedicated to treating patients who have suffered stroke, outpatient and rehabilitation clinics and home-based services.

The ward and clinics, which are located in existing facilities at Swan District Hospital have 28 staff including doctors; nurses; allied health professionals - including physiotherapists and occupational health therapists - and support staff. The service will cost approximately $3million a year to run. 

"We have invested in the very best staff to ensure patients can receive the care they need much closer to home," said Dr Peter Wynn-Owen, executive director of the Swan Kalamunda Health Service, which includes Swan District Hospital. 

"About 160 patients present at our Emergency Department every year with symptoms of stroke. In the past, most have had to be transferred to either Sir Charles Gairdner or Royal Perth hospitals for specialist care."

"This new service means most patients will be able to receive the care they need from emergency treatment right through to rehabilitation at Swan District Hospital. By next year, every patient who suffers a stroke will be able to receive care here."

Minister's office: 9222 8788