State Government committed to new Geraldton Regional Hospital

14/8/01
Health Minister Bob Kucera today reaffirmed the State Government's election commitment to proceed with the $35 million redevelopment of Geraldton Regional Hospital.
In an announcement following the Geraldton Regional Cabinet meeting and a meeting with the Geraldton Health Service Board, Mr Kucera said the hospital redevelopment would be given high funding priority in the development of the 2001-2002 capital works program.
"The Government is currently reviewing the capital works program, which will be announced early next month," he said.
"In reviewing the program, priority will be given to areas of greatest need, having regard to the population to be serviced, the services to be provided and the condition of existing assets."
Mr Kucera said the Department of Health was currently working through the service requirements of the new Geraldton Regional Hospital.
"The provisional allocation for the hospital is $35 million and I will be able to make further specific announcements when detailed costings of the service requirements have been completed and the State Budget finalised," he said.
The Minister said much had already been done in planning for the redevelopment of the hospital and the Geraldton Health Service had reached the stage where a full service concept had been finalised.
A single level design concept to accommodate a new hospital and other allied health services had been developed.
"The Department of Health's Strategic Infrastructure Planning Group will now meet to consider the proposal," Mr Kucera said.
"It will review capital and recurrent costing proposals and make a detailed costing analysis.
"It will also make an independent assessment of the space needs of all the services."
The review needs to be undertaken before the project receives approval to proceed to the construction phase.
Mr Kucera said the multi-million-dollar project would provide Geraldton and Mid-West residents with a first-class, purpose-built, and technologically advanced locally-focussed health service.
"When completed the facility will usher in a new era in health service delivery and patients and staff alike will benefit from the changes," he said.
"The State Government is committed to delivering quality health services close to where people live and this redevelopment is a $35 million investment in that commitment.
"The development will ensure the best quality health services will be available to residents of the Geraldton and Mid-West regions for generations to come."
Media contact: Fran Robb 9213 7000