Perth's Fiona Stanley Hospital will shut its emergency department and operating theatres for about 15 hours from Saturday evening following a major water leak that caused flooding. The closure, from 6:00pm Saturday to 11:00am Sunday, comes after a similar pipe burst in April led to flooding at the facility.
The WA Health Department said the emergency department would remain open for walk-in patients, but ambulances will be diverted to other hospitals. Patients already in the hospital will be allowed to stay but will not have hot showers, and the heating system will be switched off, with extra blankets provided.
Acting director-general Professor Bryant Stokes said the department is seeking legal advice and will meet with the builder and engineers of the $2 billion hospital on Tuesday to determine the cause of the leaks. The problem is linked to rubber bellows, with 44 installed in the hospital; one burst in April and another this week.
Australian Medical Association WA president Michael Gannon called the situation unacceptable, saying patients are distressed and deserve better. He urged for a redevelopment of Royal Perth Hospital as a backup, noting that having only two major functioning hospitals is problematic when one is out of action.
Professor Stokes expressed disappointment but stressed the need to maintain public confidence in the hospital. He did not rule out further closures if more bellows require replacement.
