- $8.7 million expansion will enable a more streamlined post-mortem process
- Improved facilities for pathologists to determine the cause of unexplained or unexpected deaths in WA
- First major redevelopment of the State Mortuary since it was built in the 1970s
State-of-the-art post-mortem theatres and a dedicated crime suite are just part of the $8.7 million upgrade and expansion works currently underway at the PathWest State Mortuary.
The expansion, which will also feature a larger and more streamlined admissions area, enhanced audio-visual equipment and dedicated infectious autopsy theatre, will ensure the mortuary is future-proofed to continue delivering high quality and efficient post-mortem services for Western Australia.
Pathologists in the State Mortuary perform an essential role, providing post-mortem examinations to assist in the investigation of more than 3,100 unexpected and/or unexplained deaths reported to the State Coroner each year.
The expanded facilities will increase capacity to perform more post-mortems, contributing to a more efficient State coronial system and informing work carried out by the wider WA health system, the WA Police Force, and the WA Department of Justice and Office of Public Prosecutions through its criminal case work.
Preliminary works are complete, with construction expected to be completed in July 2023.
As stated by Health Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson:
"This is the first major redevelopment of the State Mortuary facility since it was built in the 1970s.
"The expansion will allow pathologists and staff to work in a state-of-the-art facility and will future proof the mortuary so it can continue to deliver a high-quality service."
As stated by Attorney General Hon John Quigley:
"These works are a key to the McGowan Government's ongoing commitment to streamlining the WA Justice system.
"It follows the Government's purchase of a new CT for the Coroner's Court three years ago, which performed more than 3000 non-invasive scans in 2021-22."
