Expectant mothers have been delivered a huge baby bonus with the opening of a new Maternity Assessment Unit (MAU) as part of the $24.9 million expansion of the Osborne Park Hospital.
As part of the expansion project, the MAU will enhance the hospital and health care experience of thousands of northern suburban parents who require enhanced obstetric services.
The MAU consists of four built-for-purpose assessment rooms and three assessment bays for expectant mothers attending Osborne Park Hospital for birth.
Staffed by doctors and midwives seven days a week around the clock, the MAU provides a service for women who may have started labour or may require additional monitoring during their pregnancy.
The new level 2A neonatal nursery for local mothers with low to moderate risk pregnancies is also nearing completion.
The expansion of the neonatal services will enable most of these mothers to deliver their babies locally from 34 weeks and remain with their baby at the hospital after their babies are born.
The new developments are part of a $24.9 million expansion of the hospital which was a McGowan Government election commitment.
The project is being delivered by the State and Commonwealth governments through a joint funding arrangement, with the State contributing $14.3 million.
The hospital's expansion includes a new 16-bed rehabilitation unit with six existing stroke beds, as well as 10 additional new beds.
It includes a centralised therapy hub which will enable patients to receive contemporary and functional rehabilitation services closer to home following a stroke, amputation or neurological condition.
The project is expected to be fully completed in 2021.
As stated by Health Minister Roger Cook:
"This is another great result for the people of the rapidly expanding northern suburbs.
"Thousands of people will benefit from the opening of the Maternity Assessment Unit and the expansion and enhancement of the Osborne Park Hospital.
"It is exciting to see that the other elements of this much needed project will soon be operational.
"This reaffirms my commitment is to ensure patients receive quality care near where they live and that the health and wellbeing of Western Australians are being looked after."
