Upgrades worth more than $10 million to the Jurien Bay Health Centre and Moora Hospital were officially opened on July 24.
Member for Moore Shane Love MLA said the redevelopments were part of a $300 million Royalties for Regions funded capital works program initiated by the Nationals WA that saw health facilities upgraded in 37 regional towns between the Midwest and Great Southern – the largest capital works program ever completed by the WA Country Health Service.
Upgrades to mechanical, hydraulic and electrical services – including digital and information systems – were completed at both the Jurien Bay and Moora sites. Wireless networks will support the future use of Telehealth carts that will enable bedside videoconferencing for patients.
The $5.23 million upgrade to Jurien Bay Health Centre includes a new outpatient care wing with three treatment bays, child health consultation room, dental treatment room, emergency department triage assessment area, video-conference enabled multipurpose consultation rooms, a new nurse call system and a larger generator to support the entire Jurien Bay centre when emergency power is needed.
The refurbishment at Moora Hospital included five new consultation rooms, parent room, emergency department triage assessment area, new workstations and offices, kitchen upgrade, expanded aged care lounge and a new nurse call system.
Mr Love said importantly, the $5.3 million upgrade to Moora Hospital included two new renal dialysis chairs, allowing those who need dialysis to have treatment close to home.
“The upgrade to information systems and Telehealth services will facilitate the continuing virtual delivery of Metropolitan-based specialists to those living in regional areas,” Mr Love said. “Enabled by Royalties for Regions funding, telehealth has transformed health service delivery in the regions and proven to be crucial in emergency departments.”
There were 8,566 emergency Telehealth consultations in Dongara, Jurien Bay and Lancelin between 2012 and 2017 and a further 567 outpatient appointments delivered via Telehealth in that time.
Mr Love said that while Health Minister Roger Cook had graciously opened the Jurien Bay facility last week, he had also been responsible for axing $21 million funding for the Turquoise Coast Health Initiative – a program approved by the previous government that would have addressed health service needs between Guilderton and Dongara.
“Minister Cook indicated that the business case for Jurien Bay’s helipad was being considered but there remains an overwhelming need for the commissioning of beds for overnight care and observation at the Jurien Bay Health Centre,” Mr Love said.
“The reliance of ambulance volunteers to transfer patients to Joondalup Hospital is not a sustainable option for the Jurien Bay district, where visitor numbers continue to rise.”
