New kids hospital good news for WA families

July 6, 2008

The AMA (WA) says the State Government's decision to build a new children's hospital will be welcome news for hundreds of thousands of West Australian families.

"It's been a long time coming, but we now have commitments from both the Government and the Opposition to replace Princess Margaret Hospital with a new hospital on the QE11 site in Nedlands," said association Vice President Dr Richard Choong.

"That will not only make parents happy, it will lift the spirits of over burdened PMH staff who have been working in unacceptable conditions for many years."

Dr Choong said an estimated 300,000 children would be born in WA in the next 10 years and the existing children's hospital would eventually collapse trying to cope with the increased number of young patients.

"The hospital is plagued by ancient infrastructure and chaotic parking conditions," he said.

"Many of these problems have to be patched up now and can't be put on the back burner for another seven years while the new hospital is built."

Dr Choong said that while the time frame for the new hospital remained a concern, the AMA (WA) welcomed the Government's commitment to commence building immediately there was capacity on the QE11 site.

"Considering only a few years ago the Government was talking of Royal Perth Hospital being the site for a new children's hospital, we have come a long way," he said.

"Wisely, the Government has also recognised the need to co-locate King Edward Memorial Hospital on the same site as the new children's hospital.

"While again there is no time frame for this, at least the planning is correct.

 "This indicates the Government is finally listening to the medical profession and organisations like the AMA - who have lobbied hard on these issues  – and they should include them in the planning process."
 

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