The Western Australian Government has announced that $147 million will be spent upgrading six country hospitals, the largest single investment in regional healthcare in WA’s history, according to the Premier Colin Barnett.

 

Mr Barnett said the Southern Inland Health Initiative, funded under the WA government’s Royalties for Regions Program, was the centrepiece of the State Government’s spending on health in the 2011-12 State Budget.

 

The $565million Southern Inland Health Initiative includes $325million for capital works over the next five years as well as a $240million investment in the health workforce.


Hospitals to receive funding include:

  • Katanning Hospital - $35.43million
  • Northam Hospital  - $31.2million,
  • Narrogin Hospital $39.86million,
  • Merredin Hospital $17.45million,
  • Warren Hospital (Manjimup) $14.86million and
  • Collie Hospital $8.63million.

 
The Premier said extensive consultation and planning would be undertaken before any work started on upgrading the hospitals.


“Depending on the outcome of the planning and consultation, the upgrades could include new or refurbished emergency departments, and increased and collocated ambulatory and primary health care services,” he said.


“There may be new or refurbished clinical and non clinical areas within the hospitals and the incorporation of rooms for Telehealth to establish networked services for the catchment area.”


Health Minister, Kim Hames, said the WA Country Health Service would lead the reform and work closely with local communities, local government and country health agencies as part of the service planning process.


“The WA Country Health Service is about to commence a substantial recruitment drive for private general practitioners across Australia and internationally as part of the Southern Inland Health Initiative. The appointment of a project director for the initiative is also imminent.”


The Royalties for Regions includes six streams:

  • $182.9million District Medical Workforce Investment Program to significantly improve medical resources and 24-hour emergency response across the districts;
  • $147.4million District Hospital and Health Services Investment program will provide major upgrades at six district hospitals. Funding will redevelop and enhance the campuses at Northam, Narrogin, Merredin, Katanning, Manjimup (Warren Hospital) and Collie.  Recurrent funding of $26million will also be provided under this program to boost primary health care services across each district;
  • $43.4million Primary Health Care Demonstration Program will provide communities with the opportunity to re-examine how health services are delivered in their districts. Funding will be made available to boost primary health services for communities which opt in;
  • $36.5million Telehealth Investment will introduce innovative ‘e’ technology and the increased use of Telehealth technology across the region, including equipment upgrades;
  • $20million Residential Aged Care and Dementia Investment Program will provide incentive for private providers to expand options for residential aged care and dementia care across the southern inland area;
  • The Small Hospital and Nursing Post Refurbishment Program will provide $108.8million for capital works program for small hospitals and nursing posts to be refurbished or, if required, rebuilt to enable delivery of contemporary health care services that will match the needs of the respective communities.