Opposition claims about Kal-Boulder Health Service ill-founded

11/11/99
Health Minister John Day said Opposition claims that the State Government was neglecting the Kalgoorlie Boulder Health Service highlighted their ignorance of the $6 million worth of capital works programs that were currently under way.
Mr Day said he announced last month that tenders were being sought for the $6 million upgrade to the Kalgoorlie Boulder Health Service, which was clearly reported in the Kalgoorlie Miner.
In addition to the extensive capital works program, the Minister also announced a $2.4 million increase in the budget for the health service, up from $30.2 million to $32.8 million.
Mr Day said the major renovations at the Kalgoorlie Regional Hospital would include a purpose-built palliative care unit, upgrading the emergency and radiology departments and refurbishing 'B' ward.
'In addition, arrangements have also been made to call tenders to begin site works to build on-site residential accommodation along the hospital's Charlotte Street frontage," he said.
The Minister said it was quite obvious that the Opposition was not up-to-speed with health issues in Kalgoorlie-Boulder.
"It appears Opposition members have not read the Kalgoorlie Miner or they would have realised that their comments about staff accommodation and new facilities for the health service were baseless, cheap political shots," he said.
"It has been stated quite clearly in the Miner that in addition to the Charlotte Street redevelopment the health service was also in the final stages of finding a suitable location to build another set of new residential units for medical staff."
Mr Day said the residential accommodation redevelopment along Charlotte Street was not only an opportunity to improve existing services, but to help attract and retain staff in the region.
He said the $6 million redevelopment was part of a 10-year plan for the health service which followed a comprehensive review and examination of local health services by the General Manager, Trevor Canning.
"If the Opposition were really doing their homework they would be aware that the public also played an important role in the redevelopment of the health service after details and sketches were displayed at a number of public places around the city,'' Mr Day said.
"Members of the Kalgoorlie-Boulder Health Service Board were encouraged by supportive comments received during the period of public comment."
Mr Day said the health service board was also working on plans to further improve mental health services and regional paediatric services in the region.
Media contact: Mark Thompson on 9213 6600