Dr Lachlan Henderson, Dr Glen Power and Dr Thomas Chemmanam with the hospital’s first patient, Margery Short.
Camera IconDr Lachlan Henderson, Dr Glen Power and Dr Thomas Chemmanam with the hospital’s first patient, Margery Short. Credit: Supplied/David Baylis        www.communitypix.com.au d446972Gerry Hanssen, Daniel Parasiliti and Graeme Harris. Philip Aylward and Wayne Salvage.Premier Colin Barnett (fifth from left) with some of his parliamentary colleagues at the opening of the new St John of God Midland Public Hospital.

New Midland hospital is good medicine

Sally McGlewMidland Kalamunda Reporter

The patient transfer from Swan District Hospital to the new Midland facility was the largest ever in WA.

Hospital chief executive Glen Power said late on Tuesday morning that since the emergency room doors opened at 7am, 17 people had already checked in.

“We have had all systems fully tested at this stage,” Dr Power said.

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“There are 950 staff at work today and there is plenty of parking (in the hospital’s 900 car bays).”

Dr Power said he expected patient numbers to continue to climb and expected the hospital would have overall occupancy across all ward areas by December 8.

“It’s been an incredible first day so far,” Dr Power said.

“Most areas of the hospital are represented; a woman is in the birthing suite and expected to give birth today.”

Swan District Hospital closed after serving the community for 61 years.

Premier Colin Barnett, who officially opened the new hospital last Friday, said he had “no doubt that this public hospital under the management of St John of God will provide magnificent health services for the people of this community”.

St John of God Health Care Group chief executive Michael Stanford said the opening was a momentous occasion after many years of preparation to ensure the new hospital provided high quality public health care for the area.

“In establishing this wonderful new facility, we have consulted widely with the community about the hospital’s role and have developed extensive plans to integrate its services with local activities,” Dr Standford said.

St John of God Midland Public Hospital is part of the State’s Bigger Picture Health $7 billion hospital building and refurbishment program.