Construction has begun on the A$807.3m ($556m) Royal Perth Hospital (RPH) Emergency Department (ED) Expansion Project, a development aimed at increasing emergency care capacity in Western Australia (WA).
The works commenced with foundation building at the north-western end of the RPH campus on Wellington Street in the Perth CBD, located about 500m from the current emergency department.
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Funding for the expansion project will come from the A$2bn Building Hospitals Fund, which is part of the Cook Labor Government’s broader A$5.5bn commitment to health infrastructure.
The plan involves building a multistorey facility with two floors dedicated to a significantly enlarged ED, increasing treatment spaces and overall hospital capacity.
Hospital officials stated that construction will proceed while the existing ED continues to operate, aiming to prevent any disruption to patient care.
The completed project is intended to deliver a larger ED with greater acute care and fast-track capacity, increased inpatient capability, additional ambulance bays and a direct link to existing hospital buildings.
WA Premier Roger Cook said: “Today marks the start of construction on a major upgrade to Royal Perth Hospital, as we get on with delivering the health infrastructure Western Australians need.
“Today’s sod-turn represents a critical step forward in delivering a modern, fit-for-purpose emergency department that will support Western Australians for decades to come.
“This project is part of our record investment in hospitals, and it’s about ensuring our emergency departments can meet growing demand now and into the future.”
WA Health Minister Meredith Hammat said: “This is an important milestone for Royal Perth Hospital and for patients who rely on its services.
“This ED means more beds, more capacity, and improved patient flow for our State’s leading trauma hospital. We are building for our future so that Western Australians can get the care they need, when they need it.”
In addition to the immediate expansion, master planning is under way for the long-term redevelopment of the Royal Perth Hospital precinct.
The ongoing planning process will address future models of care, transport connections and precinct usage, with a detailed masterplan expected later in the year.
In March this year, the WA government invited shortlisted contractors and consultants to provide detailed proposals for the A$700m ($497.1m) Kwinana Freeway upgrade, signalling the next stage of the project.
