Row over empty health campus beds

The beds have been freed up by the recent opening of the Joondalup Private Hospital.

Acting Health Minister Troy Buswell said the Government had provided funding for the extra beds to open this financial year.

‘Plans are also underway to open 25 additional psychiatric inpatient beds to address a major cause of ambulance ramping at JHC,’ he said.

Opposition Health Spokesman Roger Cook said at least 70 beds made available by the opening of the private hospital were currently sitting idle.

‘The Barnett Government can immediately act on this crisis and open up at least 70 beds at Joondalup Health Campus,’ he said.

‘The Barnett Government continues to tell us that overcrowding at our hospitals cannot be solved until new beds are brought online ” why not bring these empty beds online now?’

Mr Buswell said the Government was in the middle of the biggest hospital building and refurbishment program in WA’s history.

‘The State Government has invested $229.8 million to expand services for public patients attending Joondalup Health Campus,’ he said.