Pinjarra's Murray Districts Hospital to be maintained

11/11/98

Murray Districts Hospital at Pinjarra will be maintained as a 30-bed hospital, according to Health Minister John Day.

Mr Day rejected recent speculation that the hospital was being downsized. He said the hospital has had as many as 20 patients at any one time in the last month and no medical patients were required to seek treatment at Peel Health Campus in Mandurah.

He said the opening of the 110 public bed Peel Health Campus had changed the role of the Murray District Hospital. Previously up to 70 per cent of the admissions at Pinjarra were for Mandurah residents, whereas now the hospital caters for Murray and Waroona Shire residents.

"It makes no sense to keep on more permanent staff at the hospital than is necessary to cater for the average daily occupancy of 15 patients," Mr Day said.

"However, there is a ready access to casual and temporary staff whenever there is a greater demand for services."

Mr Day said the low-risk obstetric service was functioning well and bookings have increased for the current month.

"Health Service management and doctors are being encouraged to look at the broader issues for the hospital, so that local people can be discharged back to Pinjarra after receiving more complex care in the Perth and Fremantle hospitals," he said.

Media contact: Mark Thompson 9213 6600