THE Busselton Health Campus was officially opened by Premier Colin Barnett on Wednesday but will not care for its first patient until the end of April.
Health Minister Kim Hames said the hospital would open its doors to patients on April 20 with administration staff starting in two weeks.
According to Mr Hames the delayed opening date is due to a few defects and lack of staff over the Easter holidays.
“We will be opening the hospital to the community tomorrow for tours which people don’t normally get the chance to do,” Mr Hames said.
Mr Hames also said the project was over the original budget of 120.4 million due to the cost of ICT equipment used throughout the building.
“The system is part of a $10.7 million State Government Royalties for Regions program funding package for ICT at the campus and across the South-West,” Mr Hames
The $131 million project has provided more beds, emergency department treatment facilities, increased surgical capacity, an expanded dental clinic and a higher level of patient and staff amenities.
Busselton’s services at the new campus include 84 beds (up from 54 beds), 15 emergency department spaces (up from 11), two operating theatres (double the previous capacity) and a six-chair dental clinic (up from two).
Western Australia premier Colin Barnett said he was delighted that many years of hard work had produced such a magnificent hospital.
“Once it’s up and running the emergency department is expected to handle some 20,000 presentations over the 2015-16 financial year,” the Premier said.
“That means a lot of advance preparation by a lot of people to ensure the smooth transition and running of the hospital.
“It’s a huge feat. I’m told the communications cabling to deliver some of the technology services here stretches approximately 326km long - which is roughly the distance between Busselton and Northam.”