Special arrangements for Armadale Health Service

27/12/00
State Cabinet has given approval for the Armadale Health Service (AHS) to not be included in either the Southern or Eastern Metropolitan Regional Health Authorities as part of the restructure of the Metropolitan Health Service.
Health Minister John Day said this would apply until the end of construction of the new hospital when the situation would be reviewed.
The decision was a result of the special circumstances which existed while the $60 million redevelopment of AHS was taking place.
The original decision to place AHS within the southern region was opposed by the Cities of Armadale and Gosnells, the AHS Community Advisory Council and local Members of Parliament.
Local doctors also voiced concerns with the proposed arrangements, supporting the maintenance of the existing clinical linkages between AHS and the Royal Perth Hospital and Bentley Health Service.
In 1997, the Government announced a major rejuvenation of AHS. The redevelopment included an ambitious plan to develop a broad range of additional hospital services at Armadale, which was to be achieved in partnership with the teaching hospitals under the Government's 'Care Closer to Home' policy, as well as construction of a new hospital.
The construction of the new hospital is due for completion in October 2001, although the mental health inpatient unit was completed and opened in mid-November 2000.
Despite the construction not being completed, road diversions and other public inconveniences, the local public is choosing to use the new services at AHS, rather than other hospitals, in increasing numbers.
In 1996 only 29 per cent of people from the Armadale area who went to hospital used AHS. In 1999, this had increased to 41 per cent.
The ability for AHS to reach its redeveloped potential depends on having strong partnerships with all teaching hospitals over the next few years.
The special arrangements mean that the AHS budget will be independently managed, leaving the way clear for selected clinical linkages to develop with the teaching hospital best placed to support the growing Armadale services.
For children's services, AHS is linked to Princess Margaret Hospital.
For obstetrics and gynaecology services, AHS is linked to King Edward Memorial Hospital.
AHS and Bentley Health Service work in partnerships for mental health services.
For all other services, such as critical care, surgery and internal medicine, AHS will be linked to either Royal Perth Hospital or Fremantle Hospital.
These arrangements would ensure the best possible provision of health services for residents of the Armadale/Gosnells region.

Media contact: Hugh Ryan 9213 6700