$3 million project to help future-proof hospital

Thursday, 20 October 2016

• ​More convenience for Osborne Park Hospital patients, visitors and staff
• 300 extra parking bays to meet projected demand
• Liberal National Government election promise

A $3 million investment to extend the Osborne Park Hospital car park to 800 bays will play an important role in supporting the healthcare facility's potential growth.

Marking the start of construction of the 300-bay extension today, Health Minister John Day said the car park expansion was a Liberal National Government election promise and would benefit patients, visitors and staff.

"This is an important step towards futureproofing the hospital," Mr Day said. "On-site parking has been a challenge for some time, with visitors often forced to park off-campus in neighbouring streets, causing congestion issues for local traffic.

"The additional 300 bays will be ideally positioned for staff and visitor access and will keep ahead of predicted parking demand, in line with projected population and service increases."

The movement of some elective surgery and outpatient clinics from Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital to Osborne Park has also necessitated extra parking.

The WA Health Clinical Services Framework 2014-2024 (CSF) proposes an increase in the level of some existing specialities at Osborne Park Hospital from their current levels.

"Already, up to 1,500 babies are born at the hospital each year," the Minister said.

"But gynaecology, neonatology and obstetrics are proposed to rise from the current Level 3 to Level 4 services, along with an expansion of the range of services to include those found in a standard metropolitan general hospital by 2024."

The hospital has a stroke rehabilitation unit and delivers extensive outpatient services, with specialised clinics for Parkinson's disease, treatment for falls and memory evaluation.

Mr Day said Osborne Park Hospital was currently meeting demand for its clinical services.

"But under the CSF system, this is continually revised as changes in models of clinical care and the community's healthcare needs are assessed," he said.

Fact File

• About 13,000 patients are admitted to Osborne Park Hospital each year, with 6,000 receiving elective surgery
• Osborne Park Hospital services conduct 91,000 outpatient appointments each year
• Two more birthing suites were built at the hospital two years ago, taking the total to six
• Completed in 2015 under a National Partnership Agreement, the $22 million surgi-centre provided two new operating theatres, additional recovery bays, an expanded sterilisation department, a pre-admission clinic, an endoscopy suite and a new surgical outpatients department