Kalgoorlie Health Campus will receive a significant boost to security services as part of the $11.23 million McGowan Government commitment to reducing the scourge of violence and aggression at Western Australian public hospitals.
Security services at the campus will be beefed up with a move to 24/7 operation, commencing January 1, 2020.
To further support the work already undertaken by the WA Country Health Service, the broader region will also receive $60,000 to increase CCTV capability at smaller sites including Norseman, Leonora, Kambalda, Coolgardie and Menzies.
Another example of the McGowan Government's commitment to the Goldfields region, it follows funding of $6.3 million to build an MRI suite at Kalgoorlie Health Campus and $3.8 million to expand existing inpatient mental health services.
As stated by Health Minister Roger Cook:
"The McGowan Government's Stop the Violence campaign is delivering on our commitment to keep staff and members of the public safe in our hospitals.
"This funding will see more security staff and enhanced CCTV at public hospitals across the State.
"We know Kalgoorlie Health Campus is a busy facility and that's why we're increasing security to include a 24/7 on-site presence.
"This will be in addition to overnight ground patrols to provide staff, patients and visitors with a greater sense of security and safety across the campus.
"I remain absolutely committed to giving healthcare in country Western Australia the attention it requires and this includes working to ensure our hospital staff are able to get on with their job of saving lives - without the threat of violence."
As stated by Mining and Pastoral Region MLC Kyle McGinn:
"Violence against health workers is unacceptable. This investment will go a long way to protect hospital staff allowing them to go to work in a safe environment.
"It's great to see an improvement in CCTV capability that also extends to the smaller regional towns across the Goldfields. People should respect health workers in any situation, but having the CCTV is an additional mechanism that will assist in the reduction of violence.
"I'm really proud of the McGowan Government's commitment for this much needed increase to security at Kalgoorlie Health Campus and at smaller sites across the Goldfields."
