OPPOSITION CALLS FOR KEMH FUTURE PLANNING TO BEGIN NOW

The Opposition is calling on the Cook Labor Government to retain King EdwardMemorial Hospital (KEMH) for transitional aged care once maternity services relocate in 2029.Repurposing the hospital for transitional aged care would help address one of Western Australia’s most pressing health challenges, freeing up acute hospital beds while ensuring older patients can move into more appropriate care with dignity and support.

Opposition Leader Basil Zempilas said with the Government committed to the new Women and Babies Hospital opening in 2029, planning for the future of the KEMH site needed to begin now – including a full and transparent assessment of the condition of existing facilities and long-term options for the area immediately surrounding the hospital.

Mr Zempilas said the site should also be assessed for its potential to support, among other options, education facilities and appropriate medium-density housing.

“The State Government should be planning now for the site’s next chapter as a health and community facility,” he said.

“We can’t afford for this site to sit idle and deteriorate like the Swan Districts Hospital site, while the Government figures out what to do.

“It took the Labor Government seven years from announcement to inviting developers to deliver housing on the former Princess Margaret Hospital site. That’s why planning for the future of KEMH must start now.”Shadow Health Minister Libby Mettam said the Cook Labor Government had failed to implement a plan to move long term elderly patients out of much needed acute hospital beds.“At the moment, 366 patients are in hospital waiting for aged care support,” Ms Mettam said.

“With residential aged care effectively full – and with up to 2700 permanent aged care beds needed by 2030 – the pressure on the system is only going to intensify.

“This is an opportunity to provide dignity to older patients in the right care setting.”Shadow Aged Care Minister Bevan Eatts said while aged care was a federal responsibility, the Albanese and Cook Labor Governments were increasingly blaming each other for an aged care bed shortage.

“The failure to deliver enough appropriate aged care beds is increasingly being felt in the community and our State hospitals, where unfortunately older patients are left in limbo,” he said.“Elderly West Australians deserve to be treated with compassion and cared for in appropriate settings.”Nedlands MLA Jonathan Huston said future plans for the KEMH site should recognise its long-term significance to the local community and its ideal location close to public transport and the CBD.

“Alongside transitional aged-care, future planning should also consider broader community needs, including early childhood and general and educational support for children with special needs,” he said.

“This is a significant and much-loved iconic site for the local community and the wider Western Australian community and in discussions I’ve already had as the local member, residents do not want to see a rushed sale for high-rise apartments.“The site footprint is large and it would be appropriate to include medium-density housing on a portion of the site. It will also be important to preserve and protect the memorial gardens and Harvey House.

“This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to honour King Edward’s incredible legacy and ensure the site continues serving West Australians for many years to come.”