Laverton Hospital rebuild ‘on track’ for 2023, according to State Government

The Laverton Hospital rebuild is “on track” for completion next year despite the political storm that erupted over the development and its omission from the latest State Budget, says local Member of Parliament Ali Kent. The troubled Laverton Hospital rebuild made headlines before the 2021 State election after Shire of Laverton president Pat Hill pleaded for the project to be brought forward after the Morrison Government committed $16.4 million in 2019. The eight-bed facility was last upgraded in 1973, but Labor Member for Kalgoorlie Ms Kent told the Kalgoorlie Miner that $23.5m had since been made available for the rebuild, with a detailed design now complete. “There was a lot of promises and commitments made by different sides of politics and then the Federal Government put it in their forward estimates but not until the end of the forward estimates so the State agreed to fund it, and then get the money back, so that the hospital could begin,” she said. “Then of course the money that they had allocated wasn’t enough so the State put in more money, so the total project is going to cost $23.5 million.” Despite the drama, the new hospital is set to include two new beds and ensuites, a resuscitation bay, two acute treatment rooms and two community-supported home dialysis bays. The facility will also include an ambulatory care wing to accommodate population and child health, as well as visiting mental health services and travelling allied health services including physiotherapy and occupational therapy. Ms Kent said the project was on track, with construction materials and staff being sought for construction for completion next year. “As far as I know it’s scheduled for completion during the second half of next year, and I’ve spoken to the Health Department and that is still on track,” she said. In 2020, the hospital rebuild was earmarked for 2022, with Cr Hill telling the Kalgoorlie Miner he did not understand what the hold-up was over rebuilding the ageing facility. That came after the hospital was described as a “completely disgraceful building that is not fit for purpose” by WA Nationals leader Mia Davies immediately after she toured the facility.