The West Australian government has announced a significant additional $1.9 billion injection into the state's health system, with urgent funds earmarked to address critical infrastructure failures, including cardiac catheterisation laboratories held together by tape.
Budget Boost Targets Hospital Infrastructure and Ramping
Treasurer Rita Saffioti confirmed the funding as part of the mid-year Budget review, locking in the massive spend amid ongoing crises of record ambulance ramping and lengthy hospital wait times. The centrepiece is a $1.5 billion allocation to the Building Hospital Fund, initially announced in November.
Among the most pressing issues addressed is the state of cardiac labs at Fiona Stanley Hospital. $7.6 million has been committed to begin refurbishing these vital facilities, two years after senior doctors first warned they were past their recommended useful life. This follows revelations by The West Australian that some labs were being held together with tape.
The new spending also includes more than $20 million to commission the Perth Children's Hospice and fulfils election promises to boost women's health centres, Geraldton's radiation oncology unit, and expand Royal Flying Doctor Service operations in the Mid West.
Maintenance Blitz and Cyber Security Upgrades
On top of a $50 million maintenance blitz announced in August, a further $14.6 million will be spent on public hospital maintenance. The earlier blitz was launched after an investigation exposed leaking pipes and mould at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital.
The Budget update also contains $26 million to upgrade critical health ICT infrastructure to address cyber security risks. This investment follows a recent incident where hospitals, including Perth Children's Hospital, had to use alternative systems to access patient data for about a day due to performance issues with the main Digital Medical Records system.
"We have a significant pipeline of infrastructure and, of course, significant investment in health," Ms Saffioti said, stating the Budget delivered on Labor's commitments.
System Under Strain: Winter Worries Remain
While ramping hours have stabilised during the summer months, the July-September quarter each recorded more than 7000 hours of ambulance ramping due to hospital bed block.
Australian Medical Association WA president Kyle Hoath said progress on new hospitals was positive but warned the system remains vulnerable. "The time to build those hospitals is going to be a bit of a problem for the next couple of winters still," Dr Hoath said. "I still think we're going to be in trouble next winter, without a bit more creative thinking about how we can find capacity in the system."
He pointed to the purchase of St John of God Mount Lawley Hospital as a measure that could provide more immediate bed access.
Shadow Treasurer Sandra Brewer criticised the government, claiming essential services were an afterthought. "Treasurer Rita Saffioti has shown she's happy to budget for pet projects, but relies on windfalls to catch-up on the essentials," Ms Brewer said.
The funding announcement comes as hospitals continue to face operational challenges. Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital was forced to delay some surgeries on Tuesday morning after a broken chilled water pipe joint, which was repaired by that evening.
