Premier Roger Cook announces $1.5 billion building hospital fund and reveals plan to buy Mt Lawley hospital

Roger Cook has announced a $1.5 billion “building hospitals” fund — and that his Government is in negotiations to buy a private hospital in Mt Lawley — using the money that was meant for a revamped Perth Convention Centre. The Premier confirmed on Thursday that the tourism project had been axed, as first revealed by The West Australian on Wednesday night. “While this is disappointing, my Government believes this is the right thing to do,” he said. “I said that we would make healthcare a priority and this is a demonstration of that commitment. “This record investment also means that we have to make some difficult decisions.” Mr Cook said the Government was in “advanced” negotiations to buy the 197-bed St John of God Hospital in Mt Lawley, and will investigate using that for transitional beds for older patients, currently squeezed into public hospitals due to an aged care shortage. “It will provide additional support to our tertiary hospitals, in particular, and improve patient flow,” the Premier said. “We’re very excited about the announcement today.” He rejected claims the Government has bowed to mounting pressure to do more on Health, and chose to keep the $217 million Burswood racetrack and amphitheatre over the convention centre upgrade that was recommended by Infrastructure WA. “It’s not a question of public pressure, it’s a question of responsible financial management,” Mr Cook said. “Firstly, the Burswood entertainment and sports precinct was an election commitment which was endorsed by the people of WA back in the March election. “Secondly, it’s around about the eighth of the price in relation to the redevelopment of the Perth Convention Centre, so you can’t compare them.” The redevelopment of Peel Health Campus that was promised in 2020 is also being scrapped, in favour of a brand new hospital with a target completion date of 2029. A capacity of almost 200 beds is about 65 more than the current hospital. Health Infrastructure Minister John Carey said a new building, adjacent to the current one, will avoid major disruptions to patients. “This is an unprecedented investment, it is record breaking,” he said. “An additional $1 billion to take us now to $4.7 billion to upgrade and build new hospitals across Western Australia.” A new six-storey block to increase emergency capacity at Royal Perth Hospital was described as a “game changer” by the Premier, with construction set to start in 2026. The hospital overhaul was triggered by a review of Labor’s hospital plans by the new Office of Major Infrastructure Delivery, that was created after a Cabinet re-shuffle split health between five Ministers. Mr Carey said it’s proof the Government is making health infrastructure its top priority. “There was some criticism of the Premier’s decision and our Government’s decision to create a health infrastructure portfolio, but also to give those projects this new central agency,” he said. “It’s presented us with an opportunity to reassess projects, look at time frames, and look at what are the best outcomes. “We are signalling that our critical priority is hospital infrastructure. These are significant investments.”