❓ Mr Michel asks about upgrades to Tom Price and Newman Hospitals. The Minister for Health provides an update on the progress of these projects, highlighting investments and expansions.
AnsweredQoN 78Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
HOSPITALS — PILBARA
78. Mr K.J.J. MICHEL to the Minister for Health:
Madam Speaker, congratulations on
being appointed as the first woman Speaker of the house.
I
refer to the McGowan Labor government's record investment in hospitals
right across the state and its commitment to enhancing health services
in regional Western Australia.
(1) Can the minister please provide an update to the house
on the upgrades to the Tom Price and Newman Hospitals?
(2) Can the minister outline what
this investment will mean for communities across the Pilbara?
78. Mr K.J.J. MICHEL to the Minister for Health:
Madam Speaker, congratulations on
being appointed as the first woman Speaker of the house.
I
refer to the McGowan Labor government's record investment in hospitals
right across the state and its commitment to enhancing health services
in regional Western Australia.
(1) Can the minister please provide an update to the house
on the upgrades to the Tom Price and Newman Hospitals?
(2) Can the minister outline what
this investment will mean for communities across the Pilbara?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for the question
and, in doing so, congratulate him on his resounding victory in the seat of
Pilbara. Clearly, the people of Pilbara recognise that they have a great
advocate in the member for Pilbara and we were delighted to see him returned
with such resounding results. Congratulations to him.
(1)–(2) The people of Pilbara, of course, can see the
member's work in action, advocating for good health services for the people of Pilbara and, in particular, the
McGowan government's commitment towards the $61.4 million Newman health
service redevelopment, which includes a $15 million contribution by BHP.
Everyone will be pleased, particularly the member for Pilbara, to know
that this redevelopment is progressing well. It will include an expanded six-bay emergency department, 12 inpatient beds, an
outpatient centre, medical imaging, pathology, GP consultation spaces and two
dental chairs. The first stage of the redevelopment is due to be completed in
2022, with the hospital expected to be fully opened in 2023. Of course, an
important element of any upgrade to regional health services is digital
enablement, which will make sure that people who go into hospital benefit from
telehealth services and emergency telehealth services.
In addition, I am very proud to see a
commitment to Tom Price Hospital, which will see it built on a completely new
greenfields site. Planning for the $32.8 million facility, which includes a $20
million contribution from Rio Tinto, is already underway. The Tom Price design
is anticipated to include a modern emergency department, with private interview
rooms and consulting rooms for visitor services. Right across the Pilbara, we are seeing great upgrades taking place.
This means, of course, particularly for Tom Price, that people who visit
Karijini will know that there is a world-class hospital service available to
them in the event that they need it. These hospitals will complement the
fantastic facilities we have at the Karratha Health Campus and the Hedland
Health Campus.
As the member would be aware, we are
also undertaking major redevelopments of several other regional hospitals, including Geraldton Health Campus,
which is undergoing a massive redevelopment; a $200 million redevelopment at Bunbury Hospital at South West Health Campus; as well as
building a radiotherapy suite at Albany Health Campus; and, of course, member
for Kalgoorlie, the MRI service continues to be developed at Kalgoorlie Health
Campus at pace.
This government is fully committed to
improving healthcare services to patients wherever they live. When they do have
to travel, we are also committed to improving the patient assisted travel
scheme system. I am proud of our recent election commitment to increase the
PATS accommodation subsidy to $100 and to expand the eligibility criteria for
support persons for vulnerable patients.
I look forward to updating the house
on these Pilbara and other regional projects over the coming months.
Mr R.S. Love : How is the
Mullewa rebuild going?
Mr R.H. COOK : The what?
The SPEAKER : Order! Please do
not interject. You will have your chance to ask a question.
Mr R.H. COOK : I think it is
going quite well, member. In addition, the member will be very pleased to hear
that we are also undertaking a massive rebuild at Laverton Hospital, thanks to
our friends in the commonwealth who are supporting our healthcare agenda. I very
much look forward to the work at Meekatharra Hospital.
These are all examples of the
continued commitment of the McGowan government to country health services and
to putting Western Australians and all patients first.
and, in doing so, congratulate him on his resounding victory in the seat of
Pilbara. Clearly, the people of Pilbara recognise that they have a great
advocate in the member for Pilbara and we were delighted to see him returned
with such resounding results. Congratulations to him.
(1)–(2) The people of Pilbara, of course, can see the
member's work in action, advocating for good health services for the people of Pilbara and, in particular, the
McGowan government's commitment towards the $61.4 million Newman health
service redevelopment, which includes a $15 million contribution by BHP.
Everyone will be pleased, particularly the member for Pilbara, to know
that this redevelopment is progressing well. It will include an expanded six-bay emergency department, 12 inpatient beds, an
outpatient centre, medical imaging, pathology, GP consultation spaces and two
dental chairs. The first stage of the redevelopment is due to be completed in
2022, with the hospital expected to be fully opened in 2023. Of course, an
important element of any upgrade to regional health services is digital
enablement, which will make sure that people who go into hospital benefit from
telehealth services and emergency telehealth services.
In addition, I am very proud to see a
commitment to Tom Price Hospital, which will see it built on a completely new
greenfields site. Planning for the $32.8 million facility, which includes a $20
million contribution from Rio Tinto, is already underway. The Tom Price design
is anticipated to include a modern emergency department, with private interview
rooms and consulting rooms for visitor services. Right across the Pilbara, we are seeing great upgrades taking place.
This means, of course, particularly for Tom Price, that people who visit
Karijini will know that there is a world-class hospital service available to
them in the event that they need it. These hospitals will complement the
fantastic facilities we have at the Karratha Health Campus and the Hedland
Health Campus.
As the member would be aware, we are
also undertaking major redevelopments of several other regional hospitals, including Geraldton Health Campus,
which is undergoing a massive redevelopment; a $200 million redevelopment at Bunbury Hospital at South West Health Campus; as well as
building a radiotherapy suite at Albany Health Campus; and, of course, member
for Kalgoorlie, the MRI service continues to be developed at Kalgoorlie Health
Campus at pace.
This government is fully committed to
improving healthcare services to patients wherever they live. When they do have
to travel, we are also committed to improving the patient assisted travel
scheme system. I am proud of our recent election commitment to increase the
PATS accommodation subsidy to $100 and to expand the eligibility criteria for
support persons for vulnerable patients.
I look forward to updating the house
on these Pilbara and other regional projects over the coming months.
Mr R.S. Love : How is the
Mullewa rebuild going?
Mr R.H. COOK : The what?
The SPEAKER : Order! Please do
not interject. You will have your chance to ask a question.
Mr R.H. COOK : I think it is
going quite well, member. In addition, the member will be very pleased to hear
that we are also undertaking a massive rebuild at Laverton Hospital, thanks to
our friends in the commonwealth who are supporting our healthcare agenda. I very
much look forward to the work at Meekatharra Hospital.
These are all examples of the
continued commitment of the McGowan government to country health services and
to putting Western Australians and all patients first.
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