UPDATE: Western Australia’s Health Infrastructure Minister John Carey has just confirmed that no additional funding or staff will be allocated to address the growing maintenance backlog at hospitals in Perth. This decision follows a critical independent review that highlighted severe shortcomings in the state’s hospital maintenance systems.
The scathing report, released earlier today, cited “resourcing constraints” as a significant factor behind delays in hospital maintenance. It revealed that the system is largely reactive, lacking oversight and performance indicators. “That’s for the budget process,” Mr. Carey stated when pressed about the possibility of increased resources, emphasizing that the government is already investing heavily.
In 2025, the state allocated $260 million for maintenance, with a similar amount expected this financial year, alongside a $50 million maintenance blitz launched in August. However, only $6 million of the blitz has been completed, raising concerns about the effectiveness of the response.
The Australian Medical Association (AMA) warns that it could take “years, not months or weeks” to elevate hospital maintenance standards, as procurement processes remain sluggish. AMA WA president Kyle Hoath insisted that the government must commit to adequate investment to remedy the situation. “That $50 million is going to disappear very quickly when you start looking at whole system changes,” he warned.
The interim report, conducted by former Health Department head Neale Fong and former under-treasurer Michael Barnes, cost taxpayers over $400,000. It found that the funding for maintenance is predominantly reactive and lacks dedicated resources for aging assets, leading to a significant backlog of necessary repairs.
Premier Roger Cook had previously announced the maintenance blitz after an investigation by The West Australian revealed alarming conditions, including hundreds of leaks and mold at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital. The report indicates that long procurement processes have delayed even minor repairs, with extended approval timeframes directly linked to “resourcing constraints.”
While the government aims to implement an action plan based on the review’s recommendations, Mr. Carey admitted he could not guarantee completion timelines. “I’ve learned in politics not to give guarantees like that,” he said, acknowledging the complexities of hospital maintenance work, which often requires operations outside of peak hours.
WA Health director-general Shirley Bowen stated that the report’s findings were anticipated and emphasized that the results provide an “excellent roadmap” for future improvements. She denied the need for more staffing in the procurement office, which the review identified as a bottleneck in the process.
To expedite maintenance work, Mr. Carey mentioned plans to cut red tape and reduce the number of approvals required before projects can commence. “We’re talking about a bottleneck,” he said, outlining the reforms meant to streamline operations and enhance efficiency.
As the situation at Perth hospitals continues to develop, the public and healthcare professionals alike are watching closely. The urgent need for change in hospital maintenance practices has never been clearer, and the pressure is mounting on the government to deliver results swiftly.
Stay tuned for more updates as this story unfolds.
