The Peel Health Campus emergency department (ED) upgrade has been delayed in order to accommodate potential COVID-19 patients.
Health Minister Roger Cook said the Department of Health had decided to put off construction work at Peel as part of the State’s pandemic preparation.
Work on the hospital’s emergency department and short stay ward was due to start last week.
However, the department was concerned that building work would temporarily halve the ED waiting room capacity – preventing isolation of ED patients from those attending with suspected COVID-19.
Construction work on Peel’s refurbished ED is now scheduled to start on October 1, 2020. The upgrade includes a new fast-track triage area with improved patient privacy, a new waiting room and seven additional beds for the short stay unit.
Construction works can start sooner – in consultation with the builder – if the COVID-19 situation in Western Australia improves.
As stated by Health Minister Roger Cook:
“The Health Department advises me that delaying the work at Peel is a precautionary measure and in the best interests of patients and local residents.
“As part of the State’s pandemic preparation, we are aware that the refurbishment project would limit the hospital’s capacity to review high numbers of patients and keep suspected COVID-19 patients isolated from patients in the emergency department.
“There could also be a risk of infection to construction workers.
“To ensure all patients are provided with the best, most appropriate care the emergency department upgrade will now start in October 2020.”
