Peel Health Campus: A federal funding lifeline?

The Mandurah Mail has run a campaign over the last 12 months to advocate for infrastructure expenditure at PHC, with health minister Roger Cook announcing in September that $5 million will go towards an emergency department upgrade.

Read More: Peel Health Campus campaign reaps benefits

Despite this, there is a common train of thought that further funding is needed to cater for the health needs of a growing Peel populace.

Mr Hastie hosted a rally in May along with Dawesville MP Zak Kirkup calling for the state government to invest in PHC.

The Canning MP said he hoped his influence in Canberra could be used to secure federal funding for the Mandurah hospital.

“Oversight of the Peel Health Campus is the WA government’s responsibly and I will continue to pressure them into taking action,” Mr Hastie said.

“However, I’m also working with the (federal) health minister (Greg Hunt) to secure federal support to improve the Peel Health Campus’ services.

“The federal government recently announced $1.25 billion to improve hospitals and health services – you can be sure I’m lobbying hard to get a share of that for Mandurah.”

The state government’s Sustainable Health Review is expected to be released in the first quarter of 2019, with the document to detail future health needs in the Peel region and across WA after consultation with experts and stakeholders.

Mr Cook said the future was bright for PHC, with 2019 to be a positive year for health in the Peel region.

“I am incredibly proud that the McGowan government has delivered almost $10 million funding for PHC since coming to power less than two years ago,” he said.

“This is in stark contrast to the previous government who spent nothing on the facility for eight years, despite the region experiencing huge population growth.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the hardworking staff at PHC for their individual contribution to the high quality of care and services delivered at the hospital throughout 2018. They are the backbone of the health service and I owe them a debt of gratitude.   

“I am excited at what 2019 will bring to healthcare in the Peel region. I look forward to the final report and recommendations from the Sustainable Health Review due in March and to progressing work at PHC, including the reconfiguration of the Emergency Department and the eight-bed expansion to the short-stay ward.”