More beds, double operating theatre capacity for Rockingham Hospital

The $116million redevelopment of Rockingham General Hospital is moving closer to completion with the opening today of a new two-storey ward block.

Health Minister Kim Hames today officially opened new theatres and wards comprising a substantial amount of Phase 2 of the project.

Dr Hames said the opening of the facilities was a significant milestone in the hospital upgrade.

"The state-of-the-art equipment and modern facilities officially opened today showcase to the community the commitment that the Liberal-National Government places on providing health care services for the region," he said.

"The number of operating theatres has doubled to four and we have increased capacity for multi-day and day surgery patients by providing 30 additional beds.  Medical suites and a five-bed medical procedures' unit also form part of this extension.

"The sterilisation facilities have been upgraded and the hospital will soon be able to welcome patients into the 30-bed Geriatric Evaluation and Rehabilitation Unit - a new service in line with the hospital's standing as a General Hospital."

The extensive five-phase capital works program began in 2007 and the opening of the 30-bed acute mental health unit in mid-2010 will bring the project to a close.

The Minister said the next components of the project to be completed would be a chemotherapy unit, 25-bed obstetric unit, five new delivery suites, neonatal cots and new outpatient services.

"Upon completion, this redevelopment will ultimately treble the number of beds available, completing the hospital's transformation from a 71-bed district hospital into a 229-bed general hospital able to offer a comprehensive range of services to the local community," he said.

Rockingham Peel Group executive director Geraldine Carlton said hospital staff had worked tirelessly to ensure a high level of service and care for patients throughout the redevelopment, often in temporary locations and most recently to ensure a smooth transition of services from existing to the new facilities.