$254 million investment to strengthen emergency care in WA

Roger Cook and WA Labor will invest in major upgrades for emergency care, reducing hospital presentations, slashing wait times for patients and delivering streamlined facilities for staff.
  • $104.8 million to transform Midland Health Campus’ emergency department
  • $36.3 million to expand the WA Virtual Emergency Department (WAVED) program
  • Commitment builds on the Cook Labor Government’s unmatched investment in hospitals

Roger Cook and WA Labor will invest in major upgrades for emergency care, reducing hospital presentations, slashing wait times for patients and delivering streamlined facilities for staff.

Announced today, the commitment includes more than $100 million to redevelop Midland Health Campus’ ED, supporting patients in Perth’s growing eastern corridor and complementing the $104.4 million investment in Royal Perth Hospital, which includes a new ED.

The innovative new Midland ED will include a nearly 50% boost in treatment bays, a redeveloped reception, triage and waiting areas, and a new ambulance forecourt and drop-off area will reduce ramping and improve efficiency.

An additional $36.3 million has also been promised to expand the successful WA Virtual Emergency Department (WAVED) program, which provides expert advice to patients through video call.

The funding will triple medical staff numbers and allow WAVED to hire specialist paediatricians for the first time, reducing unnecessary ED presentations for children and families.

WAVED will also be able to expand into regional WA, supported by WA Labor’s recent investment in paid paramedics for key regional centres.

A further $8.2 million will fund a pilot of ‘GP ASK’, allowing GPs to communicate directly with a WA Health specialist on behalf of their patients, reducing the need for referrals and Emergency Department visits and saving patients time, stress and money.

WA has among the highest level of hospital funding per person in the nation, with more than 800 beds added to the system since 2021 and $14.3 billion in additional funding.

Comments attributed to Premier Roger Cook:

“My Government is doing what’s right for WA by delivering world-class health services for all Western Australians."

“Today’s announcement of more than $250 million to modernise emergency care services and reduce hospital presentations will benefit patients and staff right across WA."

“Only WA Labor has runs on the board when it comes to delivering record health investment, andthese commitments will further strengthen our State’s hospital system for the future.”

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