- $9.1 billion to support health workforce,
increase bed capacity and improve overall access to health services State-wide
- Record $6.5 billion spend to enhance hospital
services
- Record $5.5 billion in health infrastructure
construction pipeline to build, purchase, expand and maintain hospitals across
the State
- More than $100 billion invested in health since
2017
The Cook Labor Government
is ensuring Western Australians have access to the healthcare they need when
they need it through a record $9.1 billion boost for the upcoming year in the
2026-27 State Budget.
The investment includes
an additional $6.5 billion to deliver hospital services, delivering more staff,
beds and initiatives to ensure greater access to health services for all
Western Australians.
This includes the
additional staff, beds and surgical theatres coming into the public system as
part of the acquisition of Mount Lawley Hospital, which will be complete by the
end of August. It also includes 60 beds and three theatres at St John of God
Midland Public Hospital and 60 new beds at Joondalup Health Campus.
This Budget includes a
record $5.5 billion health infrastructure program over the next four years, as
the Cook Labor Government continues to expand capacity in the public health
system.
More than 900 additional
beds are in the pipeline including major builds and redevelopments at the New
Women and Babies Hospital, Royal Perth Hospital, the New Mandurah Health
Campus, Osborne Park Hospital, Graylands Hospital and purchasing Mount Lawley
Hospital.
It
also includes upgrades to regional health infrastructure with
$293.7 million in Bunbury, Albany, Tom Price, Meekatharra, Laverton, South
Hedland and Broome.
In addition, investment
in capital maintenance of hospitals will be boosted by $214.1 million,
which is in addition to the more than $1.1 billion recurrent spend on
maintaining hospitals and medical equipment over the next four years.
The Cook Labor Government
is also backing in successful programs to ease pressure on hospital emergency
departments.
This includes continuing
the Ambulance Mental Health Co-response service with a $43.2 million
investment to support people experiencing mental health distress. Since its launch, the
service has successfully diverted people experiencing mental health crises away
from emergency departments, ensuring timely and appropriate care in the
community.
$52.3 million will be
invested to deliver the Active Recovery Team Program which provides intensive,
community-based treatment and wraparound mental health supports.
The
Enhanced Access Community Pharmacy Pilot will support training for up to 200
additional pharmacists to provide primary care for Western Australians in areas
where general practitioner coverage is limited, through a $4.1 million uplift.
The Cook
Labor Government is enhancing immunisation access, with a $27.1 million
investment this Budget into free flu, FluMist and RSV immunisation programs for
mums, babies and older Western Australians in residential aged care.
Other investments in
other key priorities across the WA health system include:
- an additional $100.9
million to deliver the Bunbury Regional Hospital redevelopment - the most
significant investment on a regional health campus;
- an additional $24.4 million to deliver the
redevelopment of Meekatharra Hospital;
- $5.4 million to deliver the Armadale Mental
Health Emergency Centre;
- $3.7 million uplift for Sexual Assault Support
Services and Sexual Assault Resource Centre;
- $2.8 million to construct a new community clinic
for the Bentley Community Child and Adolescent Health Service at the Bentley
Health Service; and
- celebrating and supporting diversity with an
$800,000 investment to deliver a State-wide LGBTIQA+ inclusive health workforce
training package.
These initiatives come on top of $140 million
in the winter strategy to manage demand and capacity in the WA health system.
The Cook Labor Government
will also back a new Perth-based cancer facility that will transform care and
support for Western Australians facing their toughest challenge.
The Perkins WA
Comprehensive Cancer Centre will receive joint funding from the Cook and
Albanese Labor Governments.
The investment comes at
the same time as the Cook Labor Government is boosting the Building Hospitals
Fund by $500 million to $2 billion in the 2026-27 Budget.
For more information,
visit ourstatebudget.wa.gov.au
Comments attributed to Premier Roger Cook:
"My government is
prioritising the healthcare Western Australians need, when they need it.
"That's exactly what this
Budget will deliver for WA.
"Our responsible Budget
management has kept WA's economy the strongest in the nation so we can continue
to increase hospital capacity, deliver alternatives to emergency departments,
and invest in our health workforce."
Comments attributed to
Treasurer Rita Saffioti:
"This is the biggest
investment in health in State history and is only possible thanks to our government's
strong financial management.
"This Budget delivers a
record $9.1 billion for more beds, more staff and more hospital capacity, while
backing the programs that help people access care sooner and closer to home.
"Our priority is making
sure Western Australian families can get the care they need, which is why we
have committed almost $100 billion to health since coming to government."
Comments attributed to Health Minister Meredith Hammat:
"The Cook Labor
Government is committed to improving access to healthcare to all Western
Australians, at all stages of life.
"We're increasing
capacity, growing and supporting our workforce, and enhancing care both at
hospital and in the community.
"Our investments in
health are all aimed at ensuring our growing and ageing population can access
the healthcare they need, when they need it."
Comments attributed to Health Infrastructure Minister John Carey:
"The Cook Labor
Government is delivering the State's biggest ever hospital building program
through a $5.5 billion investment in health infrastructure.
"This includes upgraded
and new hospitals across regional Western Australia, a brand new emergency
department at Royal Perth Hospital, a new maternity hospital and a new hospital
for Mandurah and the Peel region.
"This Budget demonstrates
our commitment to substantially increasing hospital capacity to service our
growing population.
"It also continues the Cook
Labor Government's focus on our existing and ageing health assets, with an
additional $214.1 million investment in maintenance over the forward
estimates."
Comments attributed to Preventative Health Minister Sabine Winton:
"The Cook Labor Government is prioritising a healthier future
for Western Australians, with the creation of the State's first preventative
health strategy.
"Investing in preventative health is a long-term priority, with the
aim of every Western Australian having the opportunity to live a
longer, healthier life.
"The boost in preventative health investment in this Budget lays the
foundation for the WA Preventative Health Strategy, which will focus investment
where it will make the most difference."
Comments attributed to Aged Care and Seniors Minister Simone McGurk:
"By 2036, approximately one in five people living in WA will be aged 65
and over and that is why we are investing in services for older Western
Australians, including the expansion of our nation-leading Time to Think
program.
"By working closely with aged care providers and the Commonwealth, the
Cook Labor Government is strengthening aged care pathways and tailoring support
for older Western Australians."
Comments attributed to Medical Research Minister Stephen Dawson:
"The Cook Labor Government is committed to investing in the
infrastructure and resources needed for today while supporting research and
development for the breakthroughs of tomorrow.
"Initiatives such as the Future Health Research and Innovation Fund, our
Clinical Trials Roadmap, and biomedical precincts are positioning Western
Australia to become a national leader in medical research and innovation."
