Luxury escapes – at hospital

St John of God Subiaco Hospital will become the first private hospital in Western Australia to pilot two premium patient suites – funded by the Rinehart Medical Foundation.


The suites are the vision of Hancock Group executive chair Gina Rinehart, through the Rinehart Medical Foundation, and are aimed at offering a level of amenity and comfort at an international standard and will be unique among hospitals in the region.  

SJOG Health Care Group CEO Bryan Pyne confirmed that the suites would offer hospital accommodation parallel to premium offerings found at leading private hospitals internationally. The suites will be available to St John of God Subiaco Hospital patients who wish to seek premium accommodation where it is assessed to be clinically appropriate. 

“The planned suites will be twice the size of current patient rooms and include a kitchenette, lounge area, generous ensuite and temporary overnight accommodation for a visiting family member or carer,” Mr Pyne said. 

“Piloting the suites in the existing hospital allows us to test the offering and evaluate the viability of a permanent model, as part of the redevelopment of St John of God Subiaco Hospital.” 

The staged transformation of the Subiaco campus includes the development of an eight-storey new clinical building, with hotel-style rooms for patients. 

St John of God Foundation CEO Bianca Pietralla said the Rinehart Medical Foundation had a long history of philanthropic vision and leadership in health care for WA.  

“The Rinehart Medical Foundation was a significant contributor to the establishment of the Bendat Comprehensive Cancer Centre at St John of God Subiaco Hospital,” Ms Pietralla said.  

Ms Rinehart had also funded patient care packages for patients who needed to stay longer than four days.  

“We are grateful for Mrs Rinehart’s vision and the support of her Foundation, as we continue to rely on philanthropic leadership from multiple donors to support the needs of our growing WA community,” Ms Pietralla said. 

Subject to relevant approvals, the two suites are expected to open by late 2024 for an initial 12-month evaluation period.