Therese Colman Manjimup-Bridgetown Times (The West - Online)
Wednesday, 27 June 2018 11:44AM
Monday’s opening of the new Warren Health Service’s emergency department marked the third of the facility’s staged openings.
Ambulatory Care and Pathwest opened last week and inpatients were transferred from the old Warren District Hospital after its doors officially closed at 7am on Monday.
The $37.6 million project was part of a $300 million capital works program delivered by the WA Country Health Service to improve hospitals in 37 towns across the Wheatbelt, Great Southern, Midwest and South West.
Health service project officer Jodie Omodei said after four years of planning and two years of construction, it was great to see the facility open.
“The new emergency department includes state-of-the-art technology, improved security and upgraded facilities throughout, and will make for improved patient flow throughout,” she said.
“We also have a centralised reception area to make it easier for patients and the general public.”
Health service acting South West manager Sally Towie said more than 500 people toured the facility before it opened.
“We had representatives from St John Ambulance WA, the local shire, Department of Fire and Emergency Services, Department of Children and Family Services and WA Police to name just a few,” she said.
“There were also Aboriginal elders, hospital staff, members of the District Health Advisory Council as well as the local community.
“Everyone was thankful for the opportunity to tour the hospital and feedback was very positive, most people said it was amazing and much bigger than they realised.
“They also thought the ambience was restful and enjoyed the warmth of the hospital which has controlled air.”
The facility employs about 130 staff, and WACHS operational manager Jeremy Higgins said the new hospital “has also helped attract additional doctors to town, with a total of 14 local doctors who now visit the Warren Health Service”.
The service is next to the Warren District Hospital at 16 Hospital Avenue, Manjimup.
The facility’s new phone number is 9772 5100.
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