The state government has denied reports it is considering building a new maternity hospital at the Queen Elizabeth II site.
WA Health said consultation is underway for a maternity unit at the Nedlands site, rather than a hospital, which would cater for newborns who need surgery within hours of birth.
It comes amid reports this week that the North Metropolitan Health Service had canvassed a proposal for a new maternity hospital at the site, despite it being dismissed by WA Labor in the lead up to this year’s state election.
Nine news reported the proposed hospital would deliver up to 2000 babies each year and was one of three options being considered, the others being a satellite facility for high-risk births at QEII, or no new facilities.
A spokesperson for WA Health told Medical Forum the department is not investigating the option of a maternity hospital.
“Ongoing work and consultation are underway to explore the viability of a maternity unit at QEII medical centre for newborns known to require surgery within hours of birth,” they said.
“This multi-phased consultation process will inform the development and assessment of potential options, including consideration of both benefits and risks.”
RELATED: Women and Babies Hospital ‘back on track’, says government
The state government has faced backlash over its plans to build the new $1.8 billion Women and Babies Hospital at the Fiona Stanley Hospital precinct in Murdoch.
The new hospital was originally earmarked to be built at the QEII medical centre, but in 2023 the then McGowan government announced it would be moved to Murdoch, citing costs and unacceptable disruption to patients and staff at the QEII site.
The new Murdoch-based hospital would replace King Edward Memorial Hospital and would also see an expansion of maternity services at Osborne Park Hospital.
Critics, including AMA (WA), have called on the government to keep newborn services near Nedlands for closer access to Perth Children’s Hospital.
AMA (WA) at the time expressed concern that failing to co-locate the new hospital with the Perth Children’s Hospital as originally planned could cause unacceptable risk of death and disability in newborns.
RELATED: Private maternity and obstetrics in the spotlight
Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists also opposed the plans.
The WA Liberals went into the March State election with plans to move the project from Murdoch to the QEII precinct, backed by medics and AMA (WA).
Want more news, clinicals, features and guest columns delivered straight to you? Subscribe for free to WA’s only independent magazine for medical practitioners.
Want to submit an article? Email editor@mforum.com.au