$10m Rockingham-Kwinana hospital redevelopment is under way
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Work is under way on the $100million redevelopment of Rockingham-Kwinana District Hospital.
Health Minister Jim McGinty said the start of construction was a major step in the facility’s evolution from an 80 bed district hospital to a world-class 300 bed general hospital by early 2009.
“The redevelopment of the hospital will mean fewer local people including expectant mothers, sick children and emergency patients will need to travel to Perth for treatment,” Mr McGinty said.
“The upgrades will also reduce the time local people wait for elective surgery and make a greater range of medical services available in the region.
“The areas surrounding Rockingham and Peel are among the fastest growing suburbs in Australia and this redevelopment will mean doctors, nurses and allied health staff will be better able to meet the increasing health demands of a rapidly increasing population.”
The redevelopment will be undertaken in two phases. Phase one of the upgrade will be completed in May 2008, with the new building area to temporarily house the hospital’s wards while the second phase construction and refurbishment of existing buildings is completed.
When the redevelopment project is completed, the new area constructed during phase one will house:- a 15-bed short stay emergency unit for adults;
- an eight-bed short stay emergency unit for paediatric patients;
- a 10-bed high dependency unit for critically ill patients; and
- a new 30-bed medical ward.
The Minister said the short stay emergency units would be located close to the emergency department, enabling emergency department medical staff to fast-track the treatment of some patients and reduce pressure on the main part of the hospital.
“The establishment of a high dependency unit will significantly reduce the number of critically ill people that need to be transferred to tertiary hospitals in Perth or Fremantle,” he said.
The areas constructed and refurbished during phase two of the project will house:- an expanded 25 bed maternity ward with five new birthing suites;
- four new operating theatres;
- a new surgical ward and 22 bed day surgery unit;
- a mental health inpatient unit;
- a 25 bed mental health step-down facility;
- an eight-bed satellite renal dialysis unit;
- new specialised facilities to care for stroke patients and provide high-level and immediate rehabilitation services;
- up to 10 new consulting suites for medical specialists;
- a 10 bed chemotherapy unit;
- expanded outpatient facilities and clinics;
- upgraded support facilities such as pathology, pharmacy and medical imagining;
- a purpose-built child care centre for up to 30 children whose parents work at the hospital; and
- improved parking.
Peel MLA Paul Papalia said it was great to see work under way at the hospital.
“The State Government is beginning a massive program to upgrade key outer metropolitan hospitals and it is wonderful that Rockingham-Kwinana District Hospital is the first cab off the rank,” Mr Papalia said.
“Along with the Perth to Mandurah railway, the future Secret Harbour police station, and many new schools within the Rockingham and Kwinana areas, the hospital upgrade is clear evidence of the community sharing in the benefits of the strong State economy.
“The Carpenter government is making decisions for the future. He is working to ensure our strong economy is delivering better services for all Western Australians.”
Peel-Rockingham group executive director Geraldine Carlton said all current hospital services would continue during construction and reconfiguration of the existing hospital.
“The local community will be kept informed about what is happening throughout the building process and we ask patients and visitors to be tolerant of any inconveniences during this time,” Ms Carlton said.
“We will make every effort to minimise any disruption to services and patient care will continue to be our highest priority.
“This is an exciting and challenging time for the hospital and its staff and we are looking forward to continuing to work with the community as we move towards providing an improved health service for this region.”