The McGowan Government election commitment to expand and redevelop Osborne Park Hospital has moved into a new and exciting phase with the start of building work on site.
Australian family-owned company, ADCO Constructions Pty Ltd have been awarded the contract to build the new facilities which will provide enhanced public health care to the residents of Perth's northern suburbs and deliver jobs for local workers.
The occasion was traditionally marked with a 'turning of the sod' to signify the start of construction.
The $24.9 million expansion includes a new level 2A neonatal nursery for local mothers with low to moderate risk pregnancies. The enhanced obstetric services will enable more mothers to give birth closer to where they live.
The higher level of care provided at the nursery will also reduce the need for babies requiring specialist care to be transferred to King Edward Memorial Hospital or the new Perth Children's Hospital. This allows more mothers and their babies to remain at the same hospital following the birth.
The new 16-bed rehabilitation unit will comprise of six existing stroke beds, as well as 10 additional new beds, and specialises in caring for a range of patients requiring rehabilitation following a stroke, amputation and neurological conditions.
When completed, a centralised therapy hub will be a first of its kind for Perth's northern suburbs. It will provide inpatient and outpatient services to thousands of people requiring rehabilitation in a contemporary environment.
Patients at the therapy hub will have access to a full complement of nursing, medical and allied health staff support. The state-of-the-art rehabilitation unit will enable patients to interact with one another, which evidence-based research shows enhances recovery outcomes.
The expansion project is being delivered by the State and Commonwealth governments through a joint funding arrangement, with the State contributing $14.3 million. Detailed capital planning project work has already commenced, and the project is expected to be completed in 2021.
As stated by Health Minister Roger Cook:
"The McGowan Government promised to expand Osborne Park Hospital and that's exactly what we are doing. The start of building work at the hospital will improve public health services and create jobs.
"Osborne Park Hospital was neglected by the Liberal National Government and left struggling to cope. This Government is focused on providing quality healthcare where it's needed.
"We have already committed $96 million for a major expansion at Joondalup Hospital and more than $230 million towards a brand new women's maternity hospital in Nedlands, but it is important we continue to invest in smaller hospitals so people can access healthcare near where they live - this is putting patients first."
As stated by Balcatta MLA David Michael:
"These upgrades will mean more local mums can choose to have their baby locally and more expanded rehab services will be available.
"I am proud the McGowan Government is fulfilling this commitment after successive governments have neglected Osborne Park Hospital.
"I look forward to this being the first of more upgrades to come, giving local residents better healthcare, closer to where they live."
As stated by Kingsley MLA Jessica Stojkovski:
"Osborne Park Hospital has an extra special meaning for me and my family, as both my nieces were born here, close to their home. Delivering on this election promise means other mums with low to moderate risk pregnancies can have their babies closer to their home too. It also means fewer babies will need to be transferred to other hospitals for specialist care, keeping them in the same hospital as their mothers.
"I'm so glad to be here today to witness the commencement of building works for this important project that was promised by the McGowan Labor Government. When completed residents in my electorate of Kingsley will benefit from being able to access more services closer to home."
