Phase two of Collie District Hospital’s $7.8 million refurbishment project has recently been completed.
Western Australia Country Health Services (WACHS) regional director Kerry Winsor said finished areas included new reception and triage spaces, waiting rooms and emergency department acute treatment bays.
“Work has now started on the third and final stage which includes further upgrades for the emergency department – two resuscitation bays, a treatment room, a clean utility/medication room, staff base, office and ambulance bay,” she said.
Construction has also included a new administration area along with refurbishments to the hospital’s entry, reception space and medical records room.
According to WACHS, the project’s overall completion has been estimated for July. The redevelopments were part of the Southern Inland Health Initiative, assisting upgrades to 37 health services in the Goldfields, South West, Midwest and Great Southern.
Collie – Preston MLA Mick Murray said the refurbishments established Collie Hospital as a valuable part of South West health services.
“I welcome the upgrades to the Collie Hospital, these upgrades will improve the experience patients have in being treated and enable staff to work in a modern and fit-for-purpose health facility,” he said.
“While I am happy the upgrades have progressed, the previous government did cut a sizable amount out of the SIHI capital works program.
“I was pleased that myself and our new Labor government were able to commit to an additional $12.2 million of funding to complete the upgrade to Collie Hospital.”
Mr Murray said the McGowan Labor Government had seen that upgrades to regional hospitals improved health services in communities across the state.
WACHS confirmed the transition to the new emergency department for June 29.
As a result of the works there may be longer than usual waiting times for patients presented to ED with non-urgent medical issues.
