Albany Health Campus, Meekatharra Hospital upgrades in motion as State Government requests design proposals

The State Government has put out to tender for expansions of Albany Health Campus and the redevelopment of the Meekatharra Hospital for a single contractor to design both projects. The expansion of the Albany Health Campus was earmarked in the rush of election promises in February this year, and the redevelopment of Meekatharra Hospital has been on the agenda since WA Labor first committed to the project ahead of the 2021 State election. The two projects form part of the Cook Government’s $4.7 billion investment in regional health infrastructure, with Albany Health Campus set to receive a 32-bed modular ward. Works on the Meekatharra Hospital will include upgraded emergency, modern inpatient facilities, enhanced patient support areas and upgraded ICT systems. Early contractor involvement requests were opened on Friday, with the State Government on the hunt for one contractor to design the modular upgrades to both health campuses, hoping to create a “larger, more efficient package of works”. The request for proposals aims to find an innovative, modular-building approach that will allow early works to begin on both projects while designs are finalised. The Government said the contractor selected would also build a suite of standardised modular designs to help accelerate future health infrastructure projects. Labor promised a $60m 30-bed modular ward Albany Health Campus, which would include 20 medical inpatient beds, 16 mental health inpatient beds, and beds in the emergency department and the short-stay and intensive care and high dependency units. Former health minister Amber-Jade Sanderson said the ward would be operational by 2027. However, only $1m was allocated in the State budget for the planning of the project when it was released in June, and Albany MLA Scott Leary raised concerns at the time about the likelihood of the project being completed by 2027. Health Infrastructure Minister John Carey said the Government was “thinking outside the box” to get health infrastructure projects delivered faster. “Engaging a single contractor for both projects is a deliberate approach to fast-track delivery by allowing early works for both projects to start while final designs are being completed,” he said. “The early contractor involvement arrangement brings contractors into the planning stage and encourages fresh ideas and practical solutions that can improve efficiencies and delivery timelines.” Health Minister Meredith Hammat said the $4.7 billion expenditure was the “biggest hospital building program in WA history”. “Staff at Meekatharra Hospital and Albany Health Campus continue to provide exceptional care and these upgrades will give them the modern facilities and digital tools they need to support high-quality, patient-centred services,” she said. “We’re committed to ensuring regional communities can access the health services they need, where and when they need it.” Requests for the early contractor involvement proposals close on December 18.