Premier Alan Carpenter and Health Minister Jim McGinty today officially launched works at the $1.76billion Fiona Stanley Hospital site in Murdoch.
Mr Carpenter said the 643-bed hospital would be one of the most technologically advanced facilities in Australia when it is completed in late 2013.
"Fiona Stanley Hospital will provide the highest level of care to seriously ill and injured Western Australians," he said.
"It will be the State's major centre for the treatment of trauma, burns and heart and lung transplants and staff will have access to the latest diagnostic technology and medical equipment.
"For the first time, residents in the rapidly growing southern suburbs will have local access to a comprehensive cancer centre, including radiotherapy and oncology facilities, a day therapy unit with chemotherapy services, and a dedicated breast clinic.
"The modern facilities offered by the new Fiona Stanley Hospital will also attract more doctors, nurses and allied health workers to the public health system."
Mr McGinty said the development offered the unique opportunity to create a major health, research and education precinct for Western Australians.
"The new health precinct will include St John of God private hospital and a new, multi-million dollar international medical research facility to be built by the WA Institute for Medical Research, to which the State Government has also committed $25million," he said.
"The co-location of the two hospitals will assist partnerships between the private and public health systems and pave the way for the sharing of facilities, services and staff."
Other features include:
· 83 per cent private rooms with ensuites for improved infection control, better patient privacy, and room for visitors and family;
· cutting-edge radiology services including MRI, CT and PET/CT, as well as pathology, bio-medical engineering and cell tissue manufacturing facilities;
· centralised medical imaging facilities that will provide fast and accurate information to doctors;
· renal transplantation and dialysis services;
· paediatric services
· staff child care centre running; and
· easy access to public transport.
Located on a 32.4ha green field site bounded by Murdoch Drive, South Street, Farrington Road and the Kwinana Freeway, the hospital will comprise 135,000sqm of floor space and cover an area equivalent to four city blocks, from Murray Street to St George's Terrace, and King Street to Barrack Street.
Mr McGinty said the project had been approved by Federal Environment Minister Peter Garrett and the State Government would spend $2.3million to protect the endangered Carnaby's Black Cockatoo.
"Initiatives include restoring a significant amount of native foraging habitat in land near the development site, $275,000 for research into the cockatoo and $575,000 for community participation in conservation programs," he said.
Professor Fiona Stanley, director of the Telethon Institute for Child Health Research and the hospital's namesake, said the new hospital had been designed for the health system of the future.
"The hospital has been designed to adapt to advancements in healthcare technology and has the potential to expand in response to population growth, so it can provide greater care to generations of Western Australians," Professor Stanley said.
Fiona Stanley Hospital will be the home of WA's new State adult burns unit, which treats the State's worst burns cases.
WA Burns Service director Dr Fiona Wood said facilities at the new hospital would be first class.
"It will be a central hub of excellence, enabling collaboration between the areas of health, education and research," Dr Wood said.
"In my area of speciality - burns - our current facilities, while recently upgraded, cannot compare with the state-of-the-art facilities possible in a new top-line hospital."
Mr Carpenter said the State Government was spending $5billion on rebuilding hospitals the length and breadth of the State.
"Patients with the most serious illnesses and injuries will be treated at the two main tertiary hospitals: the new Fiona Stanley Hospital in the south and Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital in the central metropolitan area, which will undergo a $521million redevelopment," the Premier said.
"Suburban and secondary hospitals will be redeveloped over the next five years to substantially increase the number of beds and offer more medical services, which will help to free-up tertiary hospitals to treat patients with more complex conditions."
Site works at Fiona Stanley Hospital will continue until January 2009, with construction of the main hospital building expected to commence in early 2009.
More information can be found at http://www.fionastanley.health.wa.gov.au or freecall 1800 659 475.
Premier's office - 9222 9475 Office of the Minister for Health - 9422 3000
