THE decrepit state of some of Perth’s major hospitals has been revealed in a top-level report that exposes fire and sanitation risks, structural disrepair and widespread failure to meet current standards.
The North Metropolitan Health Service, which has been marred in a corruption scandal over building contracts at its hospitals, this year undertook an extensive asset audit report, which The Sunday Times obtained portions of through the Freedom of Information Act.
The hefty 7000-page report paints a poor picture for Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital (SCGH) and WA’s biggest maternity hospital, King Edward Memorial. Osborne Park Hospital and Graylands Hospital were also part of the audit.
SCGH and KEMH were rated as “average to poor overall condition” with significant upgrades required to bring the facilities into compliance.
THE two hospitals had widespread timber rot, masonry failures, steelwork corrosion and water leaks. SCGH had the added problem of “concrete cancer”.
THE poor condition of SCGH buildings was “compromising clinical safety and preventing optimum infection control management”.
WATER leaks had occurred in various areas of the Nedlands facility, including surgical and theatre sterilising services in the main G Block.
“COMPROMISES” made in some recently refurbished areas of SCGH failed to meet space requirements under the Australasian Health Facility Guidelines that ensured best practice and service delivery.