Western Australia Premier Colin Barnett

Western Australia Minister for Health Kim Hames

Construction Starts On New Children’s Hospital

Victor P Taffa

• Premier breaks ground on new children’s hospital site
• Construction on track for completion in 2015
• Set to become part of major health precinct for West Australians of all ages

Premier Colin Barnett and Health Minister Kim Hames today officially broke ground on the construction site of Western Australia’s $1.2 Billion new children’s hospital on the grounds of Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre site, Nedlands.

Mr. Barnett said the 274-bed hospital, which would replace Princess Margaret Hospital for Children (PMH) in Subiaco, would be a leading paediatric care and research facility.

“The new tertiary-level children’s hospital will provide the highest level of paediatric care to children from across the State.” Mr. Barnett said.

“It will house the State’s only paediatric trauma centre; an integrated research and education facility and all other services currently provided by PMH, including rehabilitation services, and specialist burns and oncology units.”

WA Minister for Health Kim Hames

Dr. Hames said the co-location of the new children’s hospital with other onsite services would pave the way for the sharing of services and resources to ensure the most efficient, sustainable and cost effective delivery of health services to the people of WA.

“The new hospital had been designed for the health system of the future, ensuring that it can adapt to advances in medical technology.” Dr. Hames said.

“By the time the new children’s hospital opens, paediatric services across the State will be different to the way we see them now and this hospital will be adapted to accept this as well as have the potential to expand in response to population growth.”

“With expanding paediatric services at suburban hospitals, including the new Fiona Stanley and Midland hospitals, and an increase in programs which see patients cared for closer to, or in their home, the new children’s hospital will be able to focus on treating patients with more complex issues.” Dr. Hames said.

Fact File

• The John Holland Group was awarded the Stage One Managing Contract to design and build the new facility
• The Liberal-National Government has already set aside $575 Million towards the cost of the new children’s hospital – now almost half pre-paid
• The name of the new hospital has yet to be decided, however it will not be Princess Margaret Hospital for Children
• Visit http://www.newchildrenshospitalproject.health.wa.gov.au for more information