$22m revamp for RPH intensive care unit but more needed

Royal Perth Hospital’s intensive care unit will get a $22 million revamp but the Health Minister concedes the ageing hospital will need a lot more money spent on it in coming years.

Roger Cook said RPH would need to be futureproofed and was competing with other health service priorities for funding.

“We want an overall strategic approach to improvements to the hospital, but we have priorities and need to invest in places like King Edward Memorial Hospital and rural and regional services,” Mr Cook said, adding that consultants were working on a vision for the hospital and its surrounding buildings.

“There’s no time line at this stage in terms of the large redevelopment.

“There are opportunities to relinquish some of the real estate to reinvest back into the hospital.”

Premier Mark McGowan said the ICU improvements would include bigger rooms and more family-friendly facilities.