The WA Government has announced that the Fiona Stanley Hospital will deliver cardiothoracic surgery services when it opens in 2014 and Royal Perth Hospital will retain the State’s major adult trauma centre.

 

Health Minister Kim Hames said the decision had been made following extensive consultation and discussion with key clinicians from across the South Metropolitan Health Service.


“The consensus was that better patient care would be achieved by consolidating these specialties at single sites,” he said.


“National and international evidence clearly indicates that clinical outcomes for high-risk patients are better when complex services, such as advance heart and lung failure, are delivered at one tertiary hospital.”


The Minister said retaining the State’s major adult trauma centre at Royal Perth Hospital took advantage of the hospital’s existing fully accredited and purpose-built service and nationally renowned trauma care. 


Similarly, relocating cardiothoracic surgery services at one location meant patients and the community would benefit from having streamlined services in a facility specifically designed for the needs of these patients.


“Fiona Stanley Hospital will become the south metropolitan centre for cardiothoracic surgery comprising the Advanced Heart Failure and Cardiac Transplant Service; Advanced Lung Disease Service; Pulmonary Hypertension Program; and WA Lung Transplant Unit,” Dr Hames said.


Cardiothoracic surgery and metropolitan trauma services will continue to be provided at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital for patients in Perth’s northern suburbs. Fiona Stanley Hospital will also have a role as a designated metropolitan trauma service with the State burns service and State rehabilitation service located within its precinct. There is also potential to contract some cardiothoracic services to Joondalup Health Campus.