World-class testing at new State path lab

Health Minister Kim Hames has officially opened a state-of-the-art pathology laboratory to provide world-class diagnostic testing for patients across Western Australia.

  • New laboratory will provide world-class tertiary level diagnostic testing

  • High level automation to enable increased volume of testing

  • Futureproofed to manage workload increase over next decade

Health Minister Kim Hames has officially opened a state-of-the-art pathology laboratory to provide world-class diagnostic testing for patients across Western Australia.

Dr Hames said the new Pathwest Laboratory at Queen Elizabeth II (QEII) Medical Centre would be Western Australia's hub for diagnostic services, providing advanced testing 24 hours a day.

The Minister said the PathWest Laboratory was equipped with new and exciting developments in pathology services.

"The facility includes a FlexLab automated tube handler, with high level laboratory automation, which is expected  to increase the volume of testing by eight per cent annually and free up staff for more highly-specialised testing areas," he said.

"It also brings State-wide Clinical Genetics diagnostic services into a single laboratory for greater efficiency in screening and diagnosing conditions such as breast cancer and duchenne muscular dystrophy.

"In addition, the lab includes expanded state-of-the-art high physical containment facilities for the investigation of high-risk infectious diseases for patients across Western Australia."

Dr Hames said the laboratory's design would enable all pathology disciplines to manage the expected workload increase over the next decade in line with population growth.

"When the new children's hospital is completed, this facility will also accommodate paediatric pathology including newborn screening and metabolic disorders, and will also provide services and support for the PathWest laboratory at King Edward Memorial Hospital," he said.

"The lab will also facilitate the ongoing research activities that are carried out in collaboration with tertiary institutions such as UWA and other national and international organisations."

        Fact File

  • The facility is one of PathWest's 25 laboratories across the State and will provide world-class tertiary level diagnostic testing 24 hours a day to meet the needs of general practitioners, medical specialists, and other PathWest sites in both metropolitan and regional Western Australia

  • This laboratory will support more than 50 collection centres around WA

  • It is part of a major redevelopment of the QEIIMC site, which also includes a multi-deck car park, adult Mental Health Unit, Comprehensive Cancer Centre, Western Australian Institute of Medical Research, New Children's Hospital and Central Energy Plant

  • For QEIIMC construction updates visit http://www.qeiiredevelopment.health.wa.gov.au

Minister's office - 6552 5300