No costings, no timeframes for Libby Mettam’s risky RPH plan

• Western Australians to wait at least 10 years for RPH upgrades under the Liberals
• Latest thought bubble follows Liberal broken promises to rebuild RPH in 2008 and 2013
• Only the Cook Labor Government will transform RPH for the future

Western Australians will wait at least a decade for vital upgrades to Royal Perth Hospital under a WA Liberal Government.

Announced today, Libby Mettam’s risky, irresponsible and uncosted plan to rebuild the hospital would not get underway until at least 2029, leaving Western Australia’s primary trauma centre in limbo for more than 10 years.

The redevelopment would also cause significant disruption to the constrained hospital site, with no explanation of how the Liberal party would mitigate this risk for patients.

The commitment is the third time the Liberals have committed to redevelop RPH, with promises at the 2008 and 2013 elections - which the Barnett Liberal Government failed to deliver.

Previous estimates put the cost of a redevelopment at more than $2 billion, a figure which has likely blown out considerably in the interim.

Meanwhile, the Cook Labor Government has committed $104 million to transform RPH for the future, with a new $97 million emergency department to slash wait times, reduce ramping and improve conditions for patients and staff.

Comments attributed to Health Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson:

“Western Australians know the L-plate Liberals can’t be trusted to deliver important health infrastructure, and can see that their latest thought bubble is shamelessly undercooked and a risk to WA."

“The Liberals have a history of botching major health projects and failing to deliver on their commitments, with two previous broken promises to redevelop RPH."

“Only the Cook Labor Government has a real, properly costed plan to get on with important upgrades at RPH, ensuring it can continue serving the local community for decades to come.”