Work begins at Karratha Health Campus

Work has started on the $207 million Karratha Health Campus, with Downer EDI today beginning a $15.5 million earthworks program.

It is the largest ever investment in a Western Australian regional hospital, according to the state government, and will be part of the government’s $1.7 billion Pilbara Cities initiative.

The development site works are expected to be completed by mid-2015, with construction commencing later that year.

The campus is expected to be open early in 2018.

Regional Development Minister Terry Redman visited the site today and said the earthworks program included site preparation and a new east-west link road at the northern end of the Karratha central business district.

“The central location of the new campus will contribute to the vibrant new city centre and make the region attractive to health professionals as a place to work and live,” Mr Redman said.

“Investment in health infrastructure and services is fundamental to the ongoing viability and development of regional WA.”

Royalties for Regions funded $206.5 million of the project, while the Pilbara Health Initiative contributed $650,000.

The PHI is a joint partnership between the state government and the Chamber of Minerals & Energy of Western Australia.

Health Minister Kim Hames said Karratha Health Campus would offer outstanding health care closer to home, in an environment to rival any modern city hospital.

“It will have a significantly expanded emergency department with the capacity to manage external disasters, a brand new surgical centre, state-of-the-art computed tomography (CT) scanner and world class Telehealth services to bring WA’s best emergency and specialist practitioners to Karratha residents,” Dr Hames said.

“Local families will benefit from new delivery suites, an improved maternity wing and expanded facilities to support essential services such as child health and medical imaging - all under one roof. 

“It will provide a comprehensive ‘one stop shop’ for the delivery of much needed health services such as physiotherapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy, counselling, community health nursing, community mental health and aged care support.”