The McGowan Labor Government will use its strong Budget surplus position to invest $1.8 billion to build a new world-class Women and Babies Hospital for Western Australians.
The project is fully funded through the upcoming 2020-21 Mid-year Review, with all required funding allocated to a special hospital construction account, from the stronger than expected surplus of $2.2 billion.
Preliminary planning for the project had already commenced following the initial investment of $3.3 million in the 2019-20 State Budget.
Under a re-elected McGowan Government, the preferred site of the new multistorey hospital will likely be built north of G Block within the Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre.
The proposed 105,000sqm footprint will include new obstetric and birthing suites and a full array of specialist services, to provide the best possible care to women from across the State and newborns.
Scope of works and designs will be determined following the development of a detailed business case and project definition plan.
Works are estimated to begin in 2023, creating more than 1,400 local jobs.
King Edward Memorial Hospital (KEMH) has been operating from its Subiaco site since 1916 and provides the State’s only tertiary referral service for obstetrics, gynaecology, neonatology and perinatal mental health. There are 18 buildings in varying states of condition that make up the current KEMH site.
As stated by Premier Mark McGowan:
“King Eddies has served our State for more than a century, but now is the time to build our new, world-class hospital, to provide the highest quality of health care for the next 100 years.
“The new Women and Babies Hospital will remain WA’s only tertiary maternity and gynaecological hospital, a centre of excellence, available to all Western Australian families.
“It will be a modern, state-of-the-art facility, located centrally in the QEII Medical Centre and will serve our whole State, no matter where you live in our suburbs or across regional WA.
“As a result of our strong budget management, we have locked-in and fully funded the $1.8 billion to build the new hospital – providing certainty for the health sector and adding to the pipeline of work for WA’s construction sector.
“The preliminary planning work initiated last year has allowed us to make this significant investment and ensures the project can get underway swiftly and once complete, support generations of WA families to come.”
As stated by Health Minister Roger Cook:
“Originally opened as a general maternity hospital for low risk births throughout the State, King Edward Memorial Hospital has since transitioned to become the dedicated special women’s and newborn’s hospital providing care primarily for the most complex patients.
“Therefore the facilities were never designed to accommodate this complex level and type of care and as such it’s so vital that we deliver a fit-for-purpose facility for staff and one that puts patients first.
“Only a re-elected McGowan Labor Government will build this hospital.
“Around one in every five Western Australians were born at King Eddies, so it justifiably holds a fond place our hearts and a deep appreciation for all the staff who have worked there over the last century.
“While the site will change, this special connection will carry on because it is due to the people who work there.
“The development of the new hospital was first recommended as part of the Gallop Labor Government’s Reid Review and then again as part of our Sustainable Health Review, a key McGowan Government election commitment.”
As stated by Treasurer Ben Wyatt:
“Delivering the new Women and Babies Hospital is only possible under a McGowan Labor Government, thanks to our strong, responsible financial management.
“During the height of the pandemic we had to redirect $230 million that was allocated to the hospital build, to immediate COVID-19 measures to keep WA safe and strong.
“But with our better than expected results this year, we can now go one giant step further and fully fund the new $1.8 billion hospital to provide a lasting legacy for WA.”
