New doctors at Swan District Hospital ease emergency department pressure

19/9/03
Health Minister Jim McGinty today announced the addition of two resident doctors for Swan District Hospital to increase bed capacity and ease pressure on Royal Perth Hospital emergency department.
Mr McGinty said one doctor had already started in the unit this week and a second was due to start on Monday.
He said the doctors were a result of the State Government's strategy to redirect funds into providing more direct care to patients.
"These additional doctors mean an additional 10 beds would be available at Swan District Hospital, allowing more bed space in Royal Perth Hospital for admissions from the emergency department," Mr McGinty said.
"Until now, staffing and resource constraints had limited the number of medical beds available at the hospital.
"This move expands the State Government's investment of almost $2million earlier this year on improvements to the hospital's medical emergency services and to reduce pressure on hospital beds."
In May this year, Swan District Hospital installed a new $1.3million CT (computed tomography) scanner and spent more than $630,000 on a six-bed observation ward.
Mr McGinty said the ability of Royal Perth Hospital to provide more beds for emergency department admissions meant improved services for patients and better emergency department management.
Minister's office: 9220 5000