First look at Charlies' Emergency Department redevelopment as tender opens

• Construction tender now open to redevelop Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital (SCGH) Emergency Department 
• First images released of SCGH upgrades
• Works to include a dedicated clinical toxicology unit and 'Pitstop Area' 
• Redesign of existing emergency department to support patient care  
• Part of Cook Government's $49.5 million investment in infrastructure upgrades at Charlies

The tender for the redevelopment of Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital's emergency department is now open, with new images released today.

Part of a $49.5 million program, the redevelopment of Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital (SCGH) Emergency Department (ED) will support the increasing demand of people requiring emergency care in the northern suburbs. 

The redevelopment has been designed to provide a contemporary new service based on changing community needs and accommodate increases in emergency presentations. It will expand the ED footprint and deliver additional beds.

A new dedicated area will be established in the ED, which features a clinical toxicology unit, providing a separate area for alcohol and other drug-related presentations. 

The works are planned to be undertaken in multiple stages to minimise the impact on the ED and surrounding facilities and will include:

• upgraded ED entrance, waiting area and triage area;
• new clinical toxicology unit;
• enhanced observation ward;  
• enhanced ambulance triage facilities;  
• Fast Track area;
• dedicated 'Pitstop Area'; and
• new external covered walkways and entry canopy, including a main entry canopy.  

The Pitstop Area will streamline early management for patients who may need to be admitted, including investigations, such as blood tests and scans.  

The enhanced Fast Track area is a high-demand treatment zone for ambulant, low-complexity patients, targeting one in five presentations. 

SCGH ED treats more than 77,000 patients every year, equating to more than 6,400 patients a month on average.

The tender is available on Tenders WA and closes on 5 November 2024, with works expected to commence early 2025. 

Comments attributed to Health Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson: 

"We're investing in a major upgrade of Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital's Emergency Department to support increased numbers of emergency presentations.

"We are focused on providing the best treatment for alcohol and other drug related presentations with a new state of the art Clinical Toxicology Unit included in the upgrade.

"The redevelopment will provide an enhanced environment for patients to receive high quality care to the Perth community."