The Western Australian Government has announced an 8.2% increase of $470 million in its health expenditure in the state’s Budget, bringing total  state funding for health to $6.2 billion.

 

New programs include a $565million Southern Inland Health Initiative, funded through the Liberal-National Government’s Royalties for Regions program. Health Minister Kim Hames said  the package includes a $240 million investment in the health workforce and the provision of health services over four years and includes $325 million in capital works over five years. 

 

“This investment will fund facility upgrades at six integrated district hospitals and strengthen the provision of medical services such as emergency response and primary medical care,” Mr Hames said.

 

Other new funding includes an extra $363million in the forward estimates to cater for increased demand resulting from population growth.

 

Capital works expenditure in this year's budget shows planned spending of $1.56billion in 2011-12, 75 per cent or $668million higher than health capital works spending in the 2010-11 Budget.

 

Work will start on the:

  • $1.2billion New Children’s Hospital - completion 2015

 

Work will continue on the:

  • $1.76billion Fiona Stanley Hospital - completion 2013
  • $255.7million new State Rehabilitation Service - completion 2013
  • $229.8million expansion of services and facilities at the Joondalup Health Campus - completion in 2013
  • $170.4million for the Albany Health Campus - completion in 2012
  • $58.3million for a new PathWest Centre at the QEII Medical Centre - completion 2012
  • $51.4million for Cancer Centre Stage 2 at the QEII Medical Centre - completion 2012
  • $55.8million Kalgoorlie Health Campus redevelopment - completion 2013.

 

Planning will continue on:

  • $360.2million new Midland Health Campus - construction to start 2012
  • $117.9million Busselton Health Campus - construction to start 2012
  • $178.9million upgrade of facilities at Karratha Health Campus, Carnarvon Hospital and Exmouth Hospital
  • $31.3million upgrade of Esperance Hospital.

 

Construction completed this financial year:

  • $136.7million Hedland Health Campus, opened November 2010
  • $114.7million redevelopment of Rockingham Hospital, opened September 2010.