Albany Hospital's new emergency department now open

30/1/97

Health Minister Kevin Prince said the new emergency department and main entrance at the Albany Regional Hospital was open to the public today.

The $2million upgrade - which was completed last month - would provide a greatly improved service to clients and patients, visitors and staff at the hospital.

"It is the State Government's intention to maintain, and where possible improve, the existing standards of health care provision throughout the State and give all Western Australians better access and equity to those services," Mr Prince said.

Improvements to the hospital include:

·      increased capacity in the emergency department from three to six bays;

·      a dedicated resuscitation room;

·      undercover ambulance bay;

·      undercover patient drop-off area;

·      improved waiting and reception facilities;

·      larger, more conveniently located medical records area; and -

·      a more conveniently located CT scan room.

Mr Prince said the new facilities were a clear demonstration of the State Government's commitment to maintain and improve health services for all Western Australians, including those living in rural and remote areas.

"We will continue to provide the best quality health care services and ensure country people do not miss out due to geographic isolation," he said.

"The vastly improved reception area at Albany regional hospital now includes essential video camera surveillance and automatically opening doors which it never had before.

"As a result of this upgrade, new CT scanner equipment at the hospital can now be more conveniently located in the radiology department and more patients can be accommodated in the emergency department."

Work at the hospital's new emergency department started in June last year.

Media contact: Kirsten Stoney 221 1377 or Keith Symes (098) 922 222