Health Care of Australia to build and run $41M Joondalup Hospital

6/11/95

Health Minister Graham Kierath today announced the successful tenderer to build and operate the new $41 million Joondalup Hospital.

Mr Kierath said Health Care of Australia (HCoA) would begin preliminary work on the hospital, which would incorporate 241 public beds and 70 private beds.

"The complex will be completed towards the end of 1997 and will be built next to, and incorporate, the current Wanneroo Hospital," he said.

"Joondalup is recognised as the fastest-growing area in Australia and the new state-of-the-art hospital has been designed to meet future community needs."

The complex will include a 24-hour accident and emergency centre and a range of specialised health facilities.

"The hospital will provide a very high quality health service free of charge to the public at the public hospital," the Minister said.

"This is a major step forward for health care in Western Australia."

Mr Kierath said HCoA was one of five groups which put forward proposals for the new service.

"HCoA was chosen after an exhaustive selection process involving nine criteria," he said.

The criteria included:

+          the ability to provide services required;

+          prices for services;

+          financing the project;

+          transfer of existing staff;

+          its operation policy; and -

+          the ability to guarantee service programs.

The assessment was made by a group from the Health Department and specialist advisers were used when appropriate.

The hospital will run under an accreditation system set down by the Australian Council of Health Care Services.

"Contractual requirements will ensure the hospital maintains a strong community focus," Mr Kierath said.

"To ensure this, a community advisory group will be appointed."

Media contact: Caroline Lacy  481 2122 or 222 9595