Ms McGurk said she was concerned about the future of Fremantle’s health services when she questioned Health Minister Kim Hames in Parliament recently about the future of the hospital.
Dr Hames replied that the hospital would likely close once Fiona Stanley Hospital in Murdoch opened.
Ms McGurk said there was also a possibility of the hospital being offered to a private operator, but either option would put a strain on Fremantle’s health services.
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READ NOW‘Doctors at Kaleeya perform around 3500 minor surgeries annually and around 100 children are born there every year,’ she said. ‘Kaleeya provides an intimate atmosphere, which is particularly good for uncomplicated births and many women would prefer to give birth in a smaller, more relaxed place.
‘You have to question whether sending all births to Fiona Stanley would be the best use of the resources invested in that hospital.
‘We know our population is growing and there will be huge demand on our new hospitals, and closing smaller hospitals is not the answer to providing better health services.’
Dr Hames said the WA Health Clinical Services Framework 2010-2020 provided the blueprint for the hospital’s services.
‘Kaleeya Hospital’s obstetric services will be transferred to a major new state-of-the-art service at Fiona Stanley Hospital and sub-acute services would be provided at Fremantle Hospital,’ he said.
‘Elective surgery services will be provided at Fremantle Hospital or Fiona Stanley Hospital.
‘Since the 2005 Reid Report, the plan has been to close Kaleeya when Fiona Stanley Hospital opens.’