New intensive care beds to reduce wait times

• Seven new intensive care beds opened at Fremantle Hospital
• Brings total number of ICU beds at the hospital to 19
• Part of a raft of new beds added to the State's health system this year

Health Minister Kim Hames today opened seven new intensive care beds at Fremantle Hospital.

The $2.1million Intensive Care Unit (ICU) expansion project brings the total number of ICU beds at Fremantle Hospital to 19 and complements the recently refurbished $3.6million Coronary Care Unit project.

Dr Hames said the expansion showed the State Government's preparedness to increase Western Australia's per capita number of ICU beds and further enhances the first-class intensive care service already being provided at Fremantle Hospital.

"The need for additional ICU beds cannot be understated and introducing seven new ICU beds into the hospital system will certainly assist with the increased demand for these services across the south metropolitan area," he said.

"The expansion will also reduce elective surgery wait times and increase the amount of elective surgery able to be undertaken at the hospital."

In addition to the new beds, the expansion includes a family waiting room; distressed relatives' room; state-of-the-art monitoring and ventilating equipment; and improved staff facilities.

The Minster said the Fremantle Hospital ICU cared for about 900 medical, surgical, trauma and cardiothoracic patients last year and will continue to maintain its current acute care service role until the public Fiona Stanley Hospital opens in 2014.

       Fact File

• The CCU refurbishment and ICU  expansion are the biggest capital works projects undertaken at Fremantle Hospital since 1996
• Fremantle Hospital is a 450-bed major acute-care teaching hospital with important tertiary links and a 24-hour emergency department
• For more information, visit http://www.fhhs.health.wa.gov.au

Minister's office - 9222 8788