Perth, regions get a healthy $3bn injection

THE state government has moved on two of the largest hospital developments undertaken in metropolitan and regional Western Australia, with the commitment of more than $3 billion in health projects.

In early March, the government appointed Brookfield Multiplex as managing contractor for stage one of the $1.76 billion Fiona Stanley Hospital at Murdoch.

The $220 million stage one contract will involve the commencement of selected forward works, and will progress the hospital design to the point where major subcontracts for the construction works would be tendered.

Those tender prices will establish a maximum sum for construction, which, if accepted by government, will result in the company being awarded the stage two contract in about mid-2010.

The government has also committed $229.8 million to expand the Joondalup Health Campus, effectively more than doubling its size.

Work on the expansion, undertaken in partnership with operator Ramsay Health Care, will begin in 2009 and is expected to be completed in 2013.

The number of beds for public patients will almost double from 280 currently to 451 by 2013, as well as 11 new operating theatres, replacing the existing six.

By 2013, the expanded Joondalup Health Campus will have a combined total of 536 beds, making it the third largest hospital in the Perth metropolitan area.

The government has also committed to expanding QEII Medical Centre in Nedlands, with a new $850 million children's hospital to be built on the site, according to its recently announced capital works program.

The proposal for the site also includes the construction of a new women's hospital, which will be built alongside Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital and the new children's hospital, as well as a new research precinct.

The three hospitals will have a combined total of 1,100 beds.

As with a number of health projects, the redevelopment of Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital is part of the government's capital works audit, under which cost estimates are being updated and business cases reviewed for all projects over $20 million which have not gone to tender.

Regional hospitals have also received a boost under the coalition government and its Royalties for Regions program.

The government has committed to building a new $135 million hospital in Albany, replacing the current Albany Regional Hospital.

The project will be the largest hospital development undertaken in regional WA.

Work on the detailed design of the new hospital will start within three months, with the project expected to go to tender in 2010.

Completion of the hospital section scheduled for mid-2013.

Earlier this month, Health Minister Kim Hames announced that builder Robinson Buildtech had been appointed to complete the forward works as part of the $55.8 million redevelopment of Kalgoorlie Hospital.

Almost $16 million will come from the Royalties for Regions program.

The redevelopment is scheduled for completion in 2012.

Smaller projects slated for regional hospitals include a $10 million package for urgent upgrades to health services and staff accommodation at Nickol Bay Hospital in Karratha, also funded by the Royalties for Regions program.

About $7 million of that funding will go towards the construction of units for staff.

Other health projects that have not gone through to tender will have to wait until May before the outcome of the capital works audit is finalised.

A spokesperson for Mr Hames'office said the audit was being undertaken to ensure the government has the most up-to-date and accurate information on the true cost and schedule of proposed capital works.

"The timing and final costs of the government's capital works program would be finalised as part of the budget process," the spokesperson said.