URGENT UPDATE: The Department of Health is currently reviewing plans for a new maternity hospital at the Queen Elizabeth II (QEII) site in Nedlands, capable of delivering up to 2,000 babies annually. This comes despite previous refusals from the WA Labor government to consider such a facility ahead of the March 2025 state election.
Documents obtained by 9 News Perth and WAtoday reveal that the North Metropolitan Health Service is exploring this proposal to address concerns over the state government’s current plan to build a $1.8 billion women and babies hospital in Murdoch. Medical professionals have long advocated for maintaining newborn services near Nedlands, emphasizing the risks associated with transporting high-risk births between 20 and 45 minutes to Perth Children’s Hospital.
Prior to the election, officials, including former health minister Amber-Jade Sanderson, dismissed the idea of a maternity wing at QEII due to perceived space and cost limitations, estimating that such a project would exceed $200 million. Sanderson stated, “If we were to continue [building] on QEII, the risks were unmitigable, and it would be a building site for 20 years.”
However, the recent internal discussions mark a significant shift in the government’s stance, signaling a possible reconsideration of options for maternity services in the region. Libby Mettam, opposition health minister, had previously led calls for the government to rethink its hospital location, asserting that the election could be viewed as a “referendum on newborn safety.” The Labor party ultimately achieved its second-largest electoral victory in the state’s history.
As this story develops, stakeholders and community members are urged to stay alert for further announcements regarding the future of maternity services in Western Australia. The implications of this potential maternity hospital at QEII are profound, affecting countless families and healthcare providers in the region.
The situation remains fluid, and further updates are expected as the Department of Health evaluates the feasibility of this critical project. Readers are encouraged to share this news widely as it could impact the safety and well-being of newborns across the state.
