The WA Liberals will establish a $400 million Regional Health Development Initiative to deliver regional Western Australians the healthcare services they deserve, according to Libby Mettam, WA Liberal Leader and Shadow Health Minister.

“Labor has failed regional health, and they have all the wrong priorities – despite record surpluses, Roger Cook has overseen massive divestment in WA’s hospital system while funnelling taxpayers’ money into his pet projects,” said Ms Mettam.

“From Tom Price to Margaret River, nowhere has suffered more under Roger Cook’s unprecedented health divestment than regional Western Australia.

“That is why we are committed to reversing Labor’s neglect, and strategically investing to deliver regional communities the healthcare system they deserve.”

To address the ailing regional healthcare system, the WA Liberals have announced they will establish a Regional Health Development Initiative which will invest in local health infrastructure.

“In regions with sparse populations spread over vast distances, this fund will give financial support to develop healthcare facilities, ensuring that all Western Australians – regardless of their location – have access to high-quality healthcare.

“This fund will help improve the overall well-being and sustainability of regional communities, reducing disparities between urban and regional health services.

“Often, regional patients are forced to travel long distances, such as leaving home for Perth to get treatment, which can result in delays in care and add to the emotional burden – this fund will help change that.”

In demonstrating a commitment to putting the Regional Health Development Initiative to work immediately, the WA Liberals’ commitment to upgrading Margaret River Hospital will be the first $60m spent out of the fund.

Ms Mettam said the Regional Health Development Initiative would fund upgrades to services provision, as well as capital works, like the Margaret River Hospital upgrades.

“It is far too common for regional areas to go without advanced diagnostic tools, like MRI machines.

“This equipment is essential for early detection and treatment of serious conditions.

“By putting this equipment into regional centres, we can significantly improve patient outcomes, reduce health disparities, and support the ongoing sustainability of regional communities,” said Ms Mettam.

The fund will cost $400m over four years and will target projects or equipment which will improve health outcomes in regional WA.

“The health crisis across WA is entirely of Roger Cook’s making – he has been Premier and in the Health portfolio for 15 years.

“WA has lived through the biggest boom in our state’s history, but the Cook Labor Government has squandered it, rather than investing in our healthcare system.

“We will strategically invest in WA’s healthcare system to deliver better outcomes for all Western Australians.”