Milestone for new Bunbury pathology centre

• $4.8 million pathology centre to be built at South West Health Campus

• More than triple the size of the current centre

• Contract awarded to Perkins Builders 

The building of an advanced new pathology centre in Bunbury has taken a significant step forward, with the awarding of the construction contract.

Health Minister John Day today announced Perkins Builders would construct a state-of-the-art $4.8 million pathology centre at the South West Health Campus.

Mr Day said the new PathWest laboratories, funded by the Australian and State governments, were designed to service the rapidly growing region.

"The new centre is being built with an eye on the future health needs of the South-West population," he said.

"It will be located at the front of the campus, close to the emergency department and intensive care unit, which will be more convenient for the public and allow much more efficient testing of critical patients.

"This centre will more than triple the size of the existing facility, with a floor area of 600 square metres, compared with the current 170sqm."

The Minister said there had been a rigorous selection process to ensure the best possible value for the community.

"Perkins Builders has been chosen from a short-list of five contractors," he said.

"This is a significant milestone and locals can be assured they will benefit from an outstanding facility."

The new PathWest centre is the latest in a series of major infrastructure projects that are transforming the South West Health Campus into a modern health care hub.

The State's first regional intensive care unit opened in Bunbury in 2012, and in 2013 an expanded emergency department opened with almost double the capacity of the previous facility, along with a 'fast-track' area and a 10-bed short-stay unit.  The $15.2 million South West Radiation Oncology Service Centre opened in July 2011.

Fact File

• The new PathWest centre is expected to be completed by mid-2017

• The Bunbury project has been facilitated by $6.98 million in joint State and Australian Government funding, which also provides for upgrades to pathology facilities in Collie and Narrogin 

Minister's office - 6552 6200