Perth Children’s Hospital finally opens
More than 300 people gathered for the official opening ceremony of the Perth Children’s Hospital on Saturday amidst much fanfare – and close to two years later than originally planned.
Former and current patients, and healthcare workers from the soon-to-be-abandoned Princess Margaret Hospital were joined by dignitaries including Governor Kim Beazley to witness the much-anticipated ribbon-cutting event.
Before unveiling the obligatory plaque, Premier Mark McGowan recapped the long and arduous journey of the PCH project, which has been plagued by lead contamination in the drinking water as well as a plethora of construction blunders.
“As my mother always used to say to me ‘all good things come to those who wait’,” Mr McGowan said, drawing some laughs from the crowd, gathered in the hospital’s atrium.
Mr McGowan noted that famous explorers such as Mount Everest climbers Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay, and outback explorers Burke and Wills all had “dangerous, perilous, difficult journeys”.
“But I don’t think any of them had anything on the people who put this place together.”
In thanking numerous people and groups for their involvement in the project, Mr McGowan gave mention to the John Holland Group and former premier Colin Barnett who sat stoically in the audience.
Kerry Stokes was acknowledged by Mr McGowan as someone who has “done more for the wellbeing, welfare and health of children in this country than anyone ever in the history of this nation”.
In addition to giving thanks to health workers and Health Department staff, Mr McGowan also paid credit to the Kewdale manufacturing company Australian Valve Group.
AVG is regarded as the McGowan Government’s “knight in shining armour” for supplying plastic valve fittings in the hospital’s plumbing system, replacing the corroded brass fittings that were partly attributed to leaking lead into the water.
“Amazingly for us, AVG manufactures thermostatic mixing valves – and they’re plastic. So to the people who work at AVG, thank you from the bottom of my heart,” Mr McGowan told the crowd following a rousing performance by the Australian Girls Choir.
The staged opening of the $1.2 billion hospital will begin on today when it welcomes its first outpatients.
Two weeks later, surgery begins in the operating theatres and along with the final patient move from PMH, the emergency department opens on Sunday June 10 at 7am.
Health Minister Roger Cook described PCH as the “most reluctant hospital” to ever be opened.
He said the 298-bed hospital would have expanded clinical, research and education facilities, and was purpose-built to improve the hospital experience of patients, parents, siblings and carers.
“The opening of Perth Children’s Hospital will change the lives of many families, now and into the future,” Mr Cook said.
“The facilities and technologies here at this hospital are first-class, and the treatment and care that patients will receive here will be second to none.
“Throughout this project, our first priorities have always remained patient safety and the delivery of the highest standards of clinical care.
“Today represents the culmination of the tireless work of many to get this hospital ready to open, and we can all be proud of this impressive facility which will accept its first outpatients on Monday.”
Source: The West Australian