The building condition audit on January 17 was welcomed this week by Collie-Preston MLA Mick Murray.

Southern Inland Health Initiative (SIHI) project director, David Naughton, said the audit was one of 37 being run at health services throughout the southern inland area as part of the $565 million Southern Inland Health Initiative program to improve regional health care delivery.

“The audit team investigates the condition and integrity of the building and also its associated services, such as plumbing capacity and electrical systems,” Mr Naughton said.

“The building condition audits will assist with the prioritisation of SIHI’s hospital refurbishment program.”

Collie Hospital is one of six district hospitals earmarked for a significant redevelopment of its existing infrastructure, he said.

The scope of these works “will be informed, in part, by the services planning workshops currently underway with stakeholders across the Collie district”, Mr Naughton, said.

“The information gleaned from the building condition audits and the services planning is essential in scoping and prioritising future health service and health facility developments for the Collie area.”

Across southern inland WA, 37 hospitals have been inspected by architects, building surveyors and electrical and structural engineers as part of a planned rollout of upgrades and refurbishments.

Mr Murray said the audit was long overdue.

“I hope that it is not a case of doing some inspections and then the people of Collie will be left waiting years and years before they see any tangible benefits.”

The hospital and nursing post-audit program would be the basis of establishing a capital works program aimed at matching the needs of local communities so patients did not have to travel to larger hospitals for services.

“I am continually contacted by people who are generally fed up with having to travel to Perth or Bunbury for specialist services that ideally should be available in Collie,” Mr Murray said.

“Hopefully not only will the Collie Hospital be able to provide more services like renal dialysis but money can be directed towards upgrading some of the hospital amenities including room refurbishments,” Mr Murray said.

• Members of the public can attend the services planning forum to discuss the future health needs of the community from 1-3pm on Friday, February 16. People interested should phone Gina Pratt on 97821269 or email gina.pratt@health.wa.gov.au by close of business on Friday, February 9.