WA govt flags $47m health centre

The state government has committed $47.2 million towards a health centre offering multiple medical services in a bid to reduce emergency department visits.

A State Health Operations Centre has been proposed to co-locate relevant St John WA, Royal Flying Doctor Service and WA Virtual Emergency Department staff in one place.

The state government said the $47.2 million funding was part of the $489.9 million commitment to improve access to emergency care.

Health Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson said the centre would co-locate essential emergency and medical services for state-wide service delivery.

“Older patients and their families tell us that they often don’t want to send mum or dad to hospital in an ambulance, but they don’t have much alternative if they need to see a doctor,” she said.

“This is that safe option. It means better patient outcomes because patients can receive care in the comfort of their own home, avoiding unnecessary admissions.”

The first phase of the WA Virtual Emergency Department started in September, as a trial.

According to the state government, the trial focused on residential aged care facilities and enabled emergency clinicians to provide virtual consultations to patients at home.

A $7 million commitment for early works to develop the State Health Operations Centre function was included in the 2023-24 state budget.

It includes a new patient transport coordination hub.