Perth's maternity hospital celebrates 90 years

7/12/06
The world's greatest fast bowler, an Australian cycling legend, two champion footballers, a former political leader and an Australian gymnast are just a few of the quarter of a million babies born at King Edward Memorial Hospital over the past 90 years.
Some of those sporting greats today joined Health Minister Jim McGinty to celebrate the hospital's 90th anniversary with other patients and staff, past and present.
From its modest beginnings in 1916, as a converted industrial school with 20 beds and cots, King Edward has blossomed into a major women's hospital, with 250 beds and cots, that now delivers more than 5,100 babies a year.
"During its nine decades, more than 250,000 babies have been delivered at this magnificent hospital," Mr McGinty said.
"Many of those children grew up and excelled in their chosen fields with some becoming inspirational and influential Australians."
Some of the legendary Western Australians born at KEMH include:

• Merv McIntosh, three times Sandover and Simpson medallist, born 25/11/1922;
• Kim Beazley, former Australian Labor Party Leader, born 14/12/1948;
• Dennis Lillee, Australian cricketer, born 18/7/1949;
• Graham Moss, first Western Australian Brownlow medallist, born 14/5/1950;
• Steele Bishop, World Cycling Champion/Olympian, born 29/4/1953; and
• Tania Sullivan, former Australian gymnastic squad member, born 2/7/1968.

The Minister said King Edward captured national headlines in 1989 with the birth of the world's first IVF quintuplets, conceived using the revolutionary PROST technique.
The PROST (Pro-nuclear Stage Transfer Treatment) technique is a form of IVF that was perfected by Perth doctors.
Mr McGinty said the hospital was now WA's major referral centre for high-risk pregnancies, with a special care nursery designed to care for premature and sick infants.
"King Edward cares for approximately 5,000 women with gynaecological problems," he said.
"These range from urological and cancer-related problems, to sexually transmitted diseases and reproductive disorders."
The Minister said the hospital would continue to be at the centre of women and infant health care in WA.
"This year, the new $1.67million purpose-built sexual assault resource centre opened providing medical, forensic, and counselling services for victims of sexual assault or abuse," he said.
"In August, after almost two years of research and development, Australia's first human milk bank was established here at King Edward.
"The PREM Bank is now providing donated pasteurised human breast milk to premature or critically ill infants, whose mothers are unable to produce sufficient milk to fully meet their infant's needs."
Mr McGinty said a new mother and baby unit was due to open in March next year to provide inpatient services for women suffering postnatal psychiatric disorders such as depression, anxiety, bi-polar disorder and schizophrenia.
"The hospital has reached a significant milestone this year and the Government is committed to ensuring there will be many more achievements still to come," he said.
Minister's office - 9422 3000