Hospitals across the Pilbara have taken delivery of new medical equipment, including a foetal heart monitor, to significantly improve patient care and comfort.
Regional Development Minister Brendon Grylls said the equipment was part of $2.5million funding from the State Government's Royalties for Regions program.
The funding has been provided as part of the Pilbara Revitalisation Plan and was being used to upgrade medical equipment in hospitals across the region, giving residents access to high-tech diagnostic equipment and other hospital services closer to home.
Mr Grylls said the rapid pace of resource development, increasing population and demand for services in the Pilbara continued to have a significant impact on its health system.
"The region has struggled to keep pace with population pressures and the needs of a growing community," he said.
"To address this, Royalties for Regions has provided funding to replace out-dated clinical and imaging equipment and improve health services in Pilbara communities."
Nickol Bay Hospital received a foetal monitor which can monitor mother and baby's heartbeats at the same time, including women pregnant with twins. This type of monitoring is state-of-the-art.
Tom Price and Newman hospitals took delivery of a bladder scanner and new patient monitors. The bladder scanners enable medical staff to assess a patient's bladder function and could reduce time spent in hospital thanks to better bladder management.
The patient monitors show vital signs such as blood pressure, heart rate and temperature and can be used for adults, children and babies. They give an early indication of a decline in the patient's condition, which is very useful when monitoring people with altered levels of consciousness.
Onlsow Hospital also received patient monitors and a new high-tech ECG machine to replace an old machine, enhancing patient safety and improving usage for staff.
Health Minister Kim Hames said the arrival of the equipment was great news for Pilbara residents who could now receive improved treatment and services more locally.
"This new equipment will mean more people can be treated closer to home with fewer patients needing to be transferred to Port Hedland for investigations," Dr Hames said.
The $2.5million package is in addition to the installation of a new state-of-the-art computed tomography (CT) scanner at Nickol Bay Hospital which Mr Grylls launched a fortnight ago.
The scanner was provided through the Pilbara Health Initiative, a $38.2million partnership between the State Government and major Pilbara industries to boost health services in the region.
Royalties for Regions has also provided $10million for a package of urgent upgrades to health services and staff accommodation at Nickol Bay Hospital.
Regional Development Minister's office - 9213 7000
Health Minister's office - 9222 8788
