Armadale-Kelmscott Memorial Hospital set for $9m upgrade
A $9.4million upgrade to the emergency department (ED) at Armadale-Kelmscott Memorial Hospital will ensure patients are treated quicker in a larger modernised facility.
Health Minister Jim McGinty said the upgrade would double the number of ED beds and enable medical staff to treat up to 20,000 more patients every year.
"The new facility will have 47 treatment bays and will enable doctors and nurses to treat patients more efficiently which will reduce waiting times for treatment," Mr McGinty said.
"The upgraded ED will also provide treatment in more specialist areas such as trauma and paediatrics."
The expanded emergency department will include:
- resuscitation bays;
- acute treatment bays including trauma bays and secure assessment bays for the treatment of mental health patients and people affected by drugs or alcohol;
- paediatric bays;
- seclusion bays;
- fast track bays; and
- short stay bays.
Executive Director of the Armadale-Bentley Group of Hospitals, Russell McKenney said the emergency department redevelopment had been brought forward in response to high local demand for emergency care.
"The Armadale-Kelmscott ED currently treats about 40,000 patients a year and we anticipate that by 2008/09 an extra 10,000 people a year will present, so this upgrade is essential." Mr McKenney said.
"The expansion will provide increased service capacity to better cater for the growing population, all housed in a modern facility with top quality equipment.
"The new facility will mean that more patients will be able to be treated closer to where they live rather than being transferred to tertiary hospitals."
Armadale MLA Alannah MacTiernan said this was fantastic news for Armadale and would mean many more residents can stay in their own community, making life easier for them and their families.
"It also shows our Government's commitment to developing Armadale as a strategic centre." Ms MacTiernan said.
Tenders for construction of the new ED will be called for in May, with work scheduled to commence in July.
The expanded facility is expected to open in late 2008.
The emergency department expansion is part of the first stage of the redevelopment of the Armadale-Kelmscott Memorial Hospital.
The hospital is one of four metropolitan facilities that will be upgraded to general hospitals with at least 300 beds.