New emergency department under way at Rockingham/Kwinana

28/4/03
Work on the new multi-million dollar emergency department at Rockingham/Kwinana Hospital began today with the symbolic turning of the first sod by Premier Geoff Gallop and Health Minister Bob Kucera.
Dr Gallop said builders would take possession of the site within weeks and work on the new building would be completed by May 2004. The fit-out of the new emergency department would then start and be fully completed by December 2004.
"The construction of a new emergency department marks the second stage of the emergency department redevelopment project," the Premier said.
"The first stage involved the installation of a computed tomography (CT) scanner worth $1.5million.
"Previously people with suspected head injuries were transferred to Fremantle for CT scans - now they can receive these scans locally.
"This initiative has already had positive outcomes, with a 22 per cent reduction in transfers to Fremantle Hospital since January."
Dr Gallop said capacity at the new emergency department would be increased to cater for population growth in the area, from 30,000 to 45,000 patient presentations per year.
"Together with the CT scanner, the construction of a new and expanded emergency department will reduce the need for patient transfers to Perth, alleviating stress on the busy tertiary emergency departments," he said.
"The construction of a new emergency department at Rockingham Kwinana Hospital is part of a major State Government commitment to upgrade metropolitan hospital emergency departments.
"The State Government is spending more than $20million upgrading Perth hospital emergency departments.
"This includes redevelopments of the emergency departments at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital ($9.2million), Princess Margaret Hospital ($2million) and Swan District Hospital ($1.9million)."
Health Minister Bob Kucera said the State Government was investing heavily in Rockingham's future as a key health service provider.
"For eight years Rockingham was neglected under the Court Government - despite the region's rapid population growth," he said.
"We also recognise that this region has suffered with a decline in bulk billing rates under the Howard Government.
"The State Labor Government is honouring its commitments to hospital services and we are now calling on the Federal Government to honour their responsibilities to Medicare.
"The Howard Government needs to restore the level of bulk billing services and do more to ensure adequate numbers of doctors in outer-metropolitan and rural areas."
Media contacts:
Premier's office: 9222 9475
Minister's for Health's office: 9213 7000