UPDATE: The Department of Health has launched an urgent investigation into a proposal for a new maternity hospital at the Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre in Nedlands. This facility could potentially deliver up to 2,000 babies annually, marking a significant reversal from previous government stances that dismissed the concept before the recent state election.
Documents obtained by 9 News Perth and WAtoday reveal that the North Metropolitan Health Service is now actively exploring this option. The proposal aims to alleviate concerns over the state government’s decision to locate its $1.8 billion women and babies hospital at a site in Murdoch, which has faced criticism for its distance from essential surgical services at Perth Children’s Hospital.
Medical professionals have expressed strong concerns about the risks associated with transporting high-risk births from the southern suburbs to the existing facilities, which can take between 20 and 45 minutes. Throughout the election campaign, opposition health minister Libby Mettam advocated for the need to reconsider the chosen site, framing the election as a referendum on newborn safety. The WA Labor government ultimately secured its second-largest electoral victory in history.
Previously, the idea of constructing a maternity wing at QEII faced strong opposition from the Labor government due to claims of space and cost constraints. Amber-Jade Sanderson, the former health minister, stated in February that continuing development at QEII would lead to “unmitigable risks” and result in a construction site for the next 20 years. The estimated cost for this new maternity hospital was projected to exceed $200 million.
Now, the sudden reevaluation of the QEII site marks a significant shift in the state’s approach to maternal healthcare. The urgency of this proposal highlights the ongoing debate over the safety and accessibility of newborn services in Western Australia.
As developments unfold, stakeholders are encouraged to monitor the situation closely. The health and safety of countless families depend on the decisions made in the coming weeks, making this an issue of paramount importance for the community.
Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops. The implications of this proposal could change the landscape of maternity care in the region.
