The Western Australian Government has announced a new hospital will be built in the growing Pilbara town of Onslow, replacing outdated facilities and bringing health services under one roof.
The $41.8 million project was announced by Premier and State Development Minister Colin Barnett and will include an improved and expanded emergency department, modern inpatient rooms, better access to specialists via Telehealth video-conferencing and a secure mental health assessment room.
“The population of Onslow is set to grow to almost 2,000 by 2022, as a result of nearby resources developments, and the State Government is committed to providing outstanding health care for local residents,” Mr Barnett said.
“Chevron Australia is contributing $22 million towards the health services upgrade, as part of its $250 million commitment to infrastructure improvements in Onslow as it builds the nearby Wheatstone liquefied natural gas project.”
Work is expected to begin in 2016 and the hospital is due to be finished in 2018.
Health Minister Kim Hames said the Onslow Hospital would replace the almost 50-year-old existing hospital and create a one-stop local health services ‘hub’ bringing together aged care, community mental health, allied health, preventative health and dental services.
“The project will be a 21st century ‘new for old’ redevelopment, giving the Onslow community modern treatment bays, ICT and Telehealth technologies, medical imaging, design and inpatient facilities,” Dr Hames said.
“The building will also include a purpose-built space for consultation rooms as part of the package of incentives the State is providing to private medical services providers to set up practices in regional towns.”
Regional Development Minister Terry Redman said the new hospital upgrade was part of the $161 million Royalties for Regions North West Health Initiative that is working to cater for expanding populations in the north of the State.
“Improvements to health infrastructure and service delivery will enable more patients to be treated regionally, creating community satisfaction and building sustainability in the region,” Mr Redman said.
