- New six-storey building marks first stage of redevelopment of Royal Perth Hospital
- Two floors allocated for a new emergency department, extra floors to increase overall hospital capacity
- $33 million allocated to progress detailed project planning through the new $1.5 billion Building Hospitals Fund
- Growing capacity part of Cook Government's strategy to help all Western Australians access the health care they need, when they need it
A new six-storey block will be built at Royal Perth Hospital (RPH), marking a major milestone in the future of the site.
It follows a review of the original commitment to redevelop the Royal Perth Hospital Emergency Department (ED), including an analysis of the location, timeframe for delivery, and scope.
This review was undertaken following the shifting of hospital building responsibilities to the new Office of Major Infrastructure Delivery (OMID) after the State Election in March.
The new building will be located at S Block at the northern end of the Royal Perth Hospital site, with two floors dedicated to the emergency department. The building will also connect to R Block to integrate with current hospital services including the intensive care unit.
A major benefit of the new design is that it can be built without disruption to the existing emergency department. Other benefits include:
- a bigger emergency department with more bays to treat more patients;
- improved connections to public transport;
- extra short-term parking and better ambulance access; and
- additional bed capacity for future health needs.
A first look at the new building has also been unveiled with custom maps depicting the site area, and how it will connect to the existing hospital.
The State Government has allocated $33 million to progress detailing planning for the project.
Construction of the new emergency department is expected to begin in 2026, following completion of detailed design and procurement activities. Early tender advice will be released to the market on 10 November, and it is expected that the formal tender documents will be released shortly after.
The project will be funded out of the new $1.5 billion Building Hospitals Fund, which is made up of $500 million committed in September with a further $1 billion recently announced.
It takes the Cook Government's total health infrastructure commitment to $4.7 billion during this term of government - the largest hospital building program in the State's history.
As stated by Premier Roger Cook:
"The new emergency department at Royal Perth Hospital is part of my government's historic investment in health infrastructure - the largest in the State's history.
"The exciting transformation of Royal Perth Hospital will be a game changer - boosting services while minimising disruptions for patients and staff.
"I've always said, health is a priority of my government, and this is a demonstration of that commitment.
"The new $1.5 billion Building Hospitals Fund will deliver new hospital capacity faster and help more Western Australians access the care we need, when we need it."
As stated by Deputy Premier and Treasurer Rita Saffioti:
"Through our government's strong financial management, we are doing everything we can to build capacity across our hospital system.
"We've allocated $33 million to progress planning for a new emergency department at Royal Perth Hospital which will deliver greater benefits for patients, from increased capacity to improved parking options and better connections to public transport.
"To support redevelopment at the RPH site, I have asked OMID to develop options to improve connectivity, including potential upgrades to the nearby McIver Station and other transport infrastructure.
"This project is part of our new $1.5 billion Building Hospitals Fund which has boosted our government's health infrastructure investment to a record $4.7 billion over the next four years."
As stated by Health Infrastructure Minister John Carey:
"The creation of the Health Infrastructure portfolio and an Office of Major Infrastructure Delivery means we have a new approach to delivering major hospital projects - accelerating the delivery of the health services Western Australians need.
"The new emergency department at Royal Perth Hospital will deliver more clinical space, improved ambulance access, better parking, and increased inpatient capacity.
"This is about futureproofing our hospital for growing demand, while limiting disruption as works take place.
"Our new $1.5 billion Hospital Building Fund is part of our $4.7 billion health infrastructure program so Western Australians can access health care where and when it's needed."
As stated by Health Minister Meredith Hammat:
"This is an exciting new chapter for our State's longest-serving hospital.
"We're delivering a bigger and better emergency department, while also keeping the critical day-to-day operations of the current ED undisrupted.
"The RHP redevelopment is just one of the many ways we're strengthening our healthcare system, so all Western Australians get access to the health care they need, when they need it."
