A WA Liberal Government will tear up the Letter of Intent for the new Women and Babies Hospital and return it to the world class site at QEII, according to Libby Mettam, WA Liberal Leader and Shadow Minister for Health.
“Roger Cook’s decision to proceed with the Women and Babies Hospital at Murdoch, rather than at QEII, shows complete contempt for WA’s physicians who oppose the move, and disregard for death and disability of babies which will result from the Murdoch location,” said Ms Mettam.
“Unlike WA Labor, the WA Liberals will not ignore the advice of WA clinicians and will not risk the lives of our most vulnerable newborns.
“That is exactly why we will rip up any contract signed by WA Labor and continue with the Health Department’s own plans for a Women and Babies Hospital at the QEII site.”
The WA Liberals have previously committed to tri-locating the new Women and Babies Hospital at QEII with Perth Children’s Hospital and Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, rather than at Murdoch, as is global best practice, and called for the election to be a referendum on newborn safety.
“More than 200 clinicians have raised their concerns with the Premier and the Health Minister asking for the hospital to remain at QEII, but they don’t care what our doctors think,” said Ms Mettam.
"Every other state in Australia has a tri-located hospital health precinct – WA Labor should not be charging ahead with anything less than the gold standard every other state has seen crucial enough to deliver for its people.
“Top doctors have publicly warned the WA Labor shifting the hospital from WA’s key health hub will result in newborn babies dying in avoidable circumstances.
“Roger Cook is burying his head in the sand on this, and it will lead to the preventable deaths of Western Australian babies.”
Ms Mettam also reiterated the financial irresponsibility with signing contracts before the next election.
“As I said previously, don’t be financially reckless, don’t sign any contracts, go and get a mandate at the next state election.
“Let the people decide in March next year whether the Government should listen to clinicians, or if our doctors should be ignored, risking the lives of babies for no apparent reason.
“It is totally irresponsible to progress this project before the next election.”
