New centralised health operations centre opens in WA

A new centralised operation centre dedicated to essential health care services has opened in Perth, Western Australia.

The new facility sees key health emergency services come together under one roof in the State Health Operations Centre (SHOC), with components from the Department of Health, WA Country Health Service Command Centre, Royal Flying Doctor Service, St John WA, and the Department of Fire and Emergency Services.

Co-locating these health functions will allow for better coordination of patient hospital movements across the health system and better integration between WA Health and other state emergency services, the Western Australian Government said in a statement.

One of the many services to operate within the SHOC is the recently expanded WA Virtual Emergency Department. The virtual emergency department expansion will allow metro area patients, aged 16 and over, to be seen virtually in the comfort of their own home. Regional patients will continue to benefit from the Emergency Telehealth Service, also to be co-located in SHOC.

Located in the same building as the new WA Police Force State Operations Command Centre, the SHOC facility has access to sophisticated power and network capabilities, ensuring continuous operations.

WA Health Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson said, “Healthcare delivery on such a large scale requires new and innovative approaches to reach the furthest corners of Western Australia.

“From as far north as Kununurra, as far south as Albany and everything in between, the State Health Operations Centre will ensure people across Western Australia receive the right level of care, at the right place and at the right time.”

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