Refurbished Emergency Department for Royal Perth Hospital

Quicker, more responsive and safer for staff and patients - Royal Perth Hospital's Emergency Department (RPH ED) has been modernised after a two-year rebuild.

Health Minister Kim Hames today said the $5million expansion would improve patient flow in the ED and provide staff with a safer working environment.

"More than 60,000 patients are treated at the RPH ED every year, leading to more than 25,000 admissions to the hospital's wards," Dr Hames said. 

"This modernised facility will ultimately improve the whole treatment experience for patients attending the ED in line with the State Government's election promise to keep the hospital open.

"The refurbishment has nearly doubled the floor space and added more work space to the ED, taking the total number of assessment areas to 52.

"The new ED will also assist staff with the implementation of the State Government's Four Hour Rule program, which aims to ensure that 98 per cent of ED patients are assessed, admitted, discharged or transferred within four hours."

The refurbishment includes the addition of a dedicated ophthalmology assessment and diagnostic area, allowing any eye injury to be dealt with immediately.

A $450,000 voice-activated electronic communication system has also been installed allowing staff to communicate hands-free, improving efficiency for clinical staff by up to 20 per cent.

Head of Emergency Dr Justin Yeung said doubling the size of the resuscitation area meant staff could perform their life-saving duties far more efficiently and safely.

"This is a modern facility which, when combined with the new communication system, assists staff in providing safe, timely, quality care," Dr Yeung said.

"RPH always delivers the very best patient care possible, but our new ED means we can take that care to an even higher level and cement our position as one of Australasia's top emergency departments."

The Minister said the State Government had come into office with a well recognised commitment to save RPH. 

"Since making that commitment we have moved to protect the long-term future and heritage value of the hospital by introducing the Royal Perth Hospital Protection Bill into Parliament, established a committee to oversee the future redevelopment plans for Royal Perth Hospital and its surrounding precinct and placed the RPH Heritage Precinct on the State Register of Heritage Places," he said.

Minister's office - 9222 8788

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