Names of private sector tenderers for Armadale Health Service announced

6/2/98

Health Minister Kevin Prince today announced the private sector health companies invited by the State Government to tender for the redevelopment of the Armadale Health Service.

Australian Hospital Care Limited, Futuris Corporation Limited, Health Care of Australia, Mercy Health Care Australia Limited and Ramsay Health Care will now be invited to submit detailed tenders for the finance, construction and operation of a new public hospital and health service in Perth's south east metropolitan area.

"The proposals received from these private sector companies will be compared against the various funding packages available to Government, as well as benchmarks set by Government-operated facilities, to determine which option offers the best result to the local community and Western Australian taxpayers," Mr Prince said.

The deadline for submissions for the redevelopment of the Armadale Health Service is May.

A decision regarding the extent of private sector involvement in the project and the ongoing management of services is expected by the end of July.

"Seeking registrations of interest from the private sector is one way of assisting Government to determine how it can deliver a high quality health service for the area," Mr Prince said.

"If the private sector cannot better the best Government-funded, owned and operated package, the redevelopment of the Armadale Health Service will be publicly funded and operated.

"Regardless of the outcome, public patients will continue to access the public services free of charge."

In October, Premier Richard Court announced the four-year redevelopment of the Armadale Health Service.

The modern public hospital will be developed on the existing hospital site. The first of the major building works is due for completion in the year 2000.

The new hospital - which was a 1996 election commitment - will provide a full range of services, including accident and emergency, while the health campus will include rehabilitation, primary health, mental health and associated facilities.

Media contact: Kirsten Stoney 9221 1377