Hospital renovations benefit Busselton region

20/7/00
The State Government's commitment to developing a more responsive health system in the South-West was reaffirmed today with the official opening of the newly renovated Busselton District Hospital.
Health Minister John Day said the $1.28 million project included major renovations to theatre facilities, sterilising service, day surgery and the intensive nursing area.
"The hospital has been redesigned to cope with the rapidly increasing demand for services in Busselton and surrounding areas," Mr Day said.
"The remodelling of the theatre and recovery unit will ensure that an independent recovery room and a second theatre are now available at Busselton Hospital."
Mr Day said these renovations enabled the hospital to accommodate an increase in demand and patients would be able to recover in new state-of-the-art facilities.
"The new day surgery suite has decreased the need for overnight stays in hospital and improved the capacity for increased surgery, with the potential to extend its operation as demand increases," the Minister said.
"In addition, the hospital's central sterile supply department now has the best in modern sterilising equipment and a special nursing unit close to the nurses' station will ensure treatment is more readily available for seriously ill patients."
Mr Day said the redevelopment project was part of the Strategic Plan for South West Health Services 1998 - 2006.
"The plan not only describes a vision for the development of health service delivery in this growing region, but it also outlines the key strategies for each district in the South-West," he said.
"Stage one of the plan has already been realised, with the opening of new $68 million South-West Health Campus last year.
"In addition, to ensure residents in the South-West continue to receive optimum health care, the Government has provided an additional $6.3 million recurrent funding for new services in the region."
Mr Day said the Busselton hospital renovations joined a number of other initiatives in confirming the Government's determination to maintain health services at the highest possible level.
"When the Armadale hospital opens in mid-2001, the Government will have completed four of the most modern hospitals in Australia - also at Peel, Bunbury and Joondalup - at a cost of $190 million," he said.
Mr Day said Health Service staff at the Busselton Hospital had worked very hard to keep pace with the needs of the community, and the new renovations at Busselton Hospital would assist them continue to do so.
"The local community can have total confidence in the significantly enhanced hospital redevelopment."
Media contact: Carole Cowling - 9213 6600