Community angst over hospital redevelopment plans

The Standard revealed the design and upgrades as part of a massive redevelopment at South West Healthcare on Thursday, which include a four-level clinical tower with a new emergency department and operating theatres. Readers took to The Standard’s Facebook page, raising concerns about the number of car parks in the plans and the lack of a helicopter pad. 

Chief executive officer Craig Fraser said he understood the community had concerns around particular issues of the masterplan but was hopeful they would see the benefits it provided to staff to deliver great services.

“This purpose-built facility will alleviate many of the current restrictions we work with on a day-to-day basis, and assist us in our aim to provide great patient care,” Mr Fraser said. “We hope our communities support us in our endeavour to get commitment for this to be funded which would result in us having one of the best health facilities in Australia.  

“Despite the release of the masterplan, we are still working through potential solutions to issues that are already apparent or arise through this development. The masterplan presents a long-term strategy for the site which will help address key considerations as the demand grows.”

He said a helipad had been considered, but detailed clinical service planning determined the demand for one was not critical at this point. Mr Fraser said planning for additional car parking had resulted in a net gain of an additional 64 undercover carparks to what is currently available.

“The loss of parking in the current Hider Street and the underground Timor Street car parks is regretful,” he said.

“Long-term planning for a multi-deck carpark of an additional 360 carparks is factored into the future.”

South West Coast MP Roma Britnell said this was the second masterplan for the hospital in eight years.

“It has cost the taxpayer a further $7.5 million,” she said.

“Population growth has not exceeded projections during that time; we need a better understanding of why a new masterplan was required and why this project seems to have grown so significantly. The Liberal Nationals are still the only ones with a commitment to upgrade the hospital.”