Upgrading the Maternity Ward

2006

April: Kalamunda Hospital’s maternity ward closes and is transferred to the Swan District Hospital (The West Australian, p6).

May 10: Health Minister Jim McGinty announces a $2 million investment into upgrading the maternity facilities at Swan District Hospital. This will see expecting women given access to “five large birthing rooms, all with new or refurbished bathroom ensuites, as well as a fully upgraded maternity ward”. The development will also deliver a “new antenatal clinic, two new consulting rooms with increased privacy, education for antenatal, childbirth and telephone advice”. Most of the midwives from the Kalamunda Hospital have since transferred to the Swan District Hospital (Jim McGinty Media Release).

December 14: Minister for Health Jim McGinty announces a major $1.9 million upgrade of Swan District’s maternity facilities, which will see the level of comfort increased for expecting mothers:

• Three new ensuites in the delivery rooms (two rooms already contain ensuites)

• Installing a large bath in the birthing suite

• A new kitchen for patients and families

• Renovating all bathrooms in the maternity ward

• Installing one-way blinds to increase privacy in the maternity ward

• Establishing two new antenatal consulting rooms and an antenatal reception/waiting room

• Installing a new antenatal ultrasound machine

• New floor coverings, paint, fixtures and fittings in all delivery rooms, the maternity ward and in the antenatal area.

Planning is already underway for the construction of a new 331-bed hospital in Midland, at a cost of $192 million, which is expected to be completed in 2011 (Jim McGinty Media Release).