Peel Health Campus' new chief executive has assured Mandurah residents the company operating the local hospital is committed to the region.
Andrew Tome has recently taken on the role and is hoping Ramsay Health Care can make a "significant investment" at the hospital - if the state government can provide them with long-term surety.
Ramsay took over the management of Peel Health Campus in 2013 and are currently contracted by the West Australian government to operate it until 2023, after a five-year extension began last year.
Infrastructure at the Mandurah hospital has been a hot topic over the last 18 months, with the Mandurah Mail leading a campaign to lobby for expenditure and highlighting the need for additional resources at the medical centre.
So far, the WA government has pledged $9.4 million to PHC since winning the 2017 election, with $4.4 million to go towards car park upgrades and $5 million to reconfigure the emergency department, while the federal government has earmarked $25 million for the hospital.
Mr Tome told the Mandurah Mail he hoped Ramsay could also contribute a cash injection of their own in the future.
He added he was looking forward to working with the community and government to ensure the best outcomes for local patients.
"Ramsay Health Care is very keen to be part of this community long-term," Mr Tome said.
"We need to have discussions with the state government about the future, but certainly Ramsay Health Care is hoping there will be a contract extension.
"If there is, part of that would mean a significant investment by Ramsay into the Peel Health Campus site.
"I really want Peel Health Campus to be an integral part of the community, and a hospital the community takes great pride in."
After taking on the role in September, Mr Tome has already identified a number of priorities for the hospital to address, including maintaining an "exceptionally high standard of care".
"We want to build on the positive work that has been done at PHC in the past six years," he said.
"We have amazing doctors, nurses and support staff who take great pride in the services they provide the community.
"At the moment, I'm meeting with all our third-party providers, the local community and talking to all the staff to really gauge what works well and what we can improve on.
"I think it's a very high-quality service already but we're always trying to improve where we can and we will identify those areas and take some steps."
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Mr Tome said it was an "exciting time" for the hospital and he was proud to be at the reins as Peel Health Campus prepares for a transformation.
"I am looking forward to the hospital's ED upgrade and other projects in the pipeline," he said.
"I think the $5 million will go a long way to improving patient comfort and care, confidentiality, increasing patient flow and the overall patient experience."
Mr Tome is no stranger to senior executive positions and has a track record for getting things done.
His last role as the director of finance and corporate services at Hollywood Hospital included an instrumental influence in the development of several major expansion projects, from four new ultra-high definition operating theatres to a comprehensive cancer centre and the establishment of a new mental health service.
Prior to working at Hollywood, Mr Tome held a management position at Peel Health Campus for two years where he oversaw finance, health information services, engineering, supply, hotel services, catering and administration.
He also mentored emerging managers and looked after all employee-related issues.
Mr Tome said he was excited to be back at the Mandurah site, where there was a "unique culture".
"I absolutely loved my time here. It was a challenging but a great role and I didn't hesitate in applying for the role to come back down," he said.
Former chief executive Margaret Sturdy has taken on a new role as director of medical services.