10/06/05
Construction has started on a new Ambulatory Care Centre at Royal Perth Hospital designed to treat more than 1,500 patients a week.
The $6million project will see the old Perth Dental Hospital undergo a substantial refurbishment to house most of Royal Perth’s outpatient services including podiatry, a diabetic clinic, pre-anaesthetic clinic, phlebotomy, general outpatients and pharmacy.
The new centre is due to open in January, 2006. Physio and Occupational therapies will also move into the new site once additional work is done in coming years.
Currently the hospital’s ambulatory care services are located throughout RPH and the move to the dental hospital site will centralise the services.
The hospital will notify all patients who will be affected by the January move.
Health Minister Jim McGinty said relocating outpatient services would create space in RPH’s main building for the creation of Western Australia’s first dedicated trauma ward, as well as a modernised burns and high dependency ward.
“This move will ensure that outpatients are treated together and allow for significant improvement in the care of multiple-injury patients in the new trauma ward,” Mr McGinty said.
“Research shows that patients cared for in specialised trauma wards have more successful recoveries.”
In 2004, Royal Perth Hospital’s Emergency Department received 422 major trauma cases and 3,207 minor trauma cases, highlighting the need for a dedicated ward to treat high acuity trauma patients.
The trauma ward will have 30 beds, with another 10 beds for the burns ward.
Planning is under way for the new trauma ward in North Block and construction is expected to begin in April, 2006. It is anticipated the new ward will open in late 2007.
Minister's office: 9220 5000
