21/09/05
The State Government will pump an extra $28.2million into Fremantle Hospital to boost bed numbers and keep ambulatory and elective surgical services.
Health Minister Jim McGinty said the funding would be spent to redevelop Fremantle into a major specialist hospital specialising in mental health, rehabilitation, aged care and specialist surgical services.
“This is a significant investment that will increase access to health care services for people living in the southern suburbs,” Mr McGinty said.
“By 2013, Fremantle Hospital will have 371 beds, which is an extra 171 beds than was originally planned for the facility under the model recommended by the Reid Report.
“This will allow the hospital to retain core ambulatory and elective surgical services and provide specialist care closer to where people live.
“Together with the 95-bed Kaleeya Hospital, the upgrade to Fremantle Hospital will meet the health demands of the southern suburbs until the state-of-the-art 1,058-bed Fiona Stanley Hospital is built.”
In the short term, there will be upgrades to the intensive care unit and critical care unit.
Stage One of the redevelopment will begin in February 2012 and will include upgrades to existing day areas and rehabilitation and mental health facilities.
Woodside Hospital will receive $2million to maintain services until alternative maternity services become available at other hospitals in the south metropolitan region, including the Fiona Stanley Hospital.
The Minister said the additional funding to redevelop Fremantle Hospital was part of a total rebuild of the State’s health system.
“Our booming economy means we can invest an extra $890million to build new hospitals, upgrade existing hospitals and open an additional 800 beds,” he said.
“The Government has developed a ten-year health blueprint with a massive $3.6billion capital works program for hospitals right across the State.”
Minister's office: 9220 5000
