News & Events: Media Releases

Minister Roxon praises Campus redevelopments

25 October 2011

Federal Minister for Health and Ageing Nicola Roxon visited the Joondalup Health Campus this week for a first-hand tour of the rapidly expanding hospital.

During her visit, Minister Roxon viewed the recently opened Emergency Department and Ward Block and the new theatre block which is set to open in early 2012.

JHC is expanding as part of a $393m redevelopment program. The State Government is investing $229.8m to expand facilities for public patients. Ramsay Health Care is investing over $150m to build private facilities including a new private hospital and specialist medical centre.

The Federal Government has allocated $23.5m to fund additional adult rehabilitation beds and fit out one of 12 new operating theatres. It has provided $3.2m towards the State Government's new mental health step-down facility which will open on the campus in 2012.

"Providing local communities, like the northern suburbs, with better health services closer to home, is a key focus for national health reform," Minister Roxon said.

"Visiting the hospital today I was able to hear first hand from doctors and nurses how these projects will help the hospital to care for more patients and reduce waiting times in the growing northern suburbs.

"The new beds will help rehabilitation patients to recover from major illnesses or operations, and will provide better care for mental health patients outside the emergency department. The new theatre will help patients get surgery quicker."

Joondalup Health Campus Chief Executive Officer Kempton Cowan said the redevelopment is tracking ahead of schedule.

"The redevelopment is delivering extensive new facilities for public and private patients," he said. We are now over half way through the expansion program and are on course to finish in early 2013 – months ahead of schedule."

The $393m expansion of Joondalup Health Campus commenced in September 2009. The Western Australian Government is investing $229.8m to expand facilities for public patients:

• New ward block with 55 additional public beds – opened February 2011
• An emergency department with 56 patient bays – opened February 2011
• A new St John Ambulance depot – opened February 2011
• Expanded Special Care Nursery with 16 neonatal cots – opened July 2011
• 11 new operating theatres, replacing the existing six – open in 2012
• An expanded critical care unit with 25 beds – open in 2012
• 61 per cent increase in public bed numbers – from 280 beds in 2009 to 451 beds in 2013
• Significant new plant and equipment to service the expanded campus and support services including a new child care centre in 2012
• Additional onsite car parking for staff, patients and visitors – ongoing

Ramsay Health Care is investing an additional $150m at JHC:

• A 145-bed private hospital – scheduled to open in 2013
• Cardiac-vascular laboratory
• Additional specialist medical centre – scheduled to open in 2013
• Community Clinical School – open in 2013