Osborne Park Hospital.
Camera IconOsborne Park Hospital. Credit: Supplied/Andrew Ritchie d465967

Osborne Park Hospital neonatal services gets $25m boost in State Budget

Laura PondStirling Times

UPGRADES to Osborne Park Hospital’s neonatal services will enable more mothers to give birth closer to where they live, according to the State Government.

Yesterday’s State Budget included $24.9 million over four years for a neonatal nursery, therapy hub and a 10-bed rehabilitation unit at the hospital.

The nursery will cater for local mothers with low to moderate risk pregnancies and will reduce the need for babies requiring specialist care to be transferred to King Edward Memorial Hospital of Perth Children’s Hospital.

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The rehabilitation unit will specialise in caring for patients requiring rehabilitation after a stroke, amputation or neurological condition and aims to encourage patient interaction.

The Government also announced construction of a therapy hub described as a first of its kind for Perth’s northern suburbs, which would provide inpatient and outpatient services to thousands of patients requiring rehabilitation in a “contemporary environment” with access to nursing, medical and allied health staff support.

Premier Mark McGowan said the upgrades delivered much needed services to northern suburbs residents.

“The Osborne Park Hospital expansion will enhance the hospital and health care experience for thousands of northern suburbs patients who require maternity and rehabilitation services,” he said.

The Government promised $28 million in funding for the hospital during its election campaign but Health Minister Roger Cook said the Expenditure Review Committee assessment resulted in a revised $24.9 million request for the project.

The Federal Government has contributed $10.6 million and work is expected to finish in 2021.

“Delivering on this election promise means mums with low to moderate risk pregnancies can have their babies from 34 weeks, at a top class obstetric facility closer to their home,” he said.

“The planning and work carried out to date has produced the figure and the project is now set to move forward and benefit the residents of Perth’s northern suburbs.”

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