A $50 million fund to fix myriad maintenance issues at three ageing hospitals has been unveiled by the state government.
A $50 million fund to fix myriad maintenance issues at three ageing hospitals has been unveiled by the state government.
The fund will go toward a two-year ‘maintenance blitz’ at Sir Charles Gairdner, Royal Perth, and Armadale hospitals in response to significant concerns about the state of these facilities in recent weeks.
It comes after data from internal documents revealed in The West Australian showed more than 1,000 work orders – everything from leaks to bacterial infections – had swamped hospital maintenance teams since January 2023.
In announcing the fund WA Premier Roger Cook, Health Minister Meredith Hammat and Health Infrastructure Minister John Carey stood by the government’s line that the health system was not in crisis.
Mr Cook said the state government had listened to concerns of health workers.
“This extra money - in addition to the $271 million we already have budgeted for hospital maintenance this year - will see us prioritise repairs and maintenance at our older hospitals,” he said.
Health Infrastructure Minister John Carey said some $113m was already being spent on upgrades at Sir Charles Gairdner.
Government ministers have been peppered with questions about the state of the health system in parliament since it resumed last week.
The maintenance issues come on top of persistent high ambulance ramping, infection claims at Fiona Stanley Hospital and leaking radioactive waste – that one strongly denied by the state government.
After ducking questions about whether an audit into maintenance requirements would be undertaken last week, Mr Cook confirmed on Monday such a process would take place.
Former Department of Health director Neale Fong and former under treasurer Michael Barnes will undertake the audit.
That process will also probe procurement and management practices.
