The 54-year-old Tom Price Hospital will be rebuilt and replaced with a new $32.8 million facility, after a funding agreement was signed between the Western Australian Government and Rio Tinto.
The $32.8 million investment is supported by a $20 million contribution from Rio Tinto, and will go towards providing the local community with a long-awaited, contemporary, fit for purpose facility.
Planning for the new facility is already underway and the design is anticipated to include a modern emergency department with private interview room, consulting rooms for visiting services and a four-bed inpatient ward.
New medical imaging equipment and digitally-enabled telehealth services will enable care to be provided closer to home and on-country for local communities.
As well as servicing Tom Price and Paraburdoo mining towns, the new facility will provide care for local Aboriginal communities of Wakathuni, Youngaleena and Bellary Springs, along with the large number of tourists who visit nearby Karijini National Park each year.
Premier Mark McGowan said the new Tom Price Hospital will service local families, as well as local Aboriginal communities.
“This will deliver a massive improvement in health outcomes for people in Tom Price and provide a state-of-the-art hospital to replace an ageing facility.”
Rio Tinto Iron Ore Chief Executive, Ivan Vella, added: “With a large presence in the Pilbara, Rio Tinto has a responsibility to work with both State and local governments to help improve the future of the region.”
“We are pleased to partner with the State Government to invest in important infrastructure for regional communities. This new hospital will improve health services for local residents as well as provide opportunities for local businesses to contribute to its construction,” Mr Vella said.
“We will continue to invest in projects that support local communities and regions to continue to develop as vibrant, sustainable communities.”
The existing Tom Price Hospital will remain fully operational throughout the construction of the new facility.