Construction has commenced on Western Australia’s landmark Women and Babies Hospital, marking a significant step forward in delivering expanded healthcare services for women, newborns, and families across the state.
Artist’s impressions offer a first look at the new 12-storey, 274-bed facility, set within the Fiona Stanley Hospital precinct and designed to support the many dimensions of women’s health and wellbeing.
Site preparations have begun with the removal of existing asphalt and levelling of the ground to lay the hospital’s foundations — activities that follow several months of ground testing.
The next phase will involve identifying and diverting services such as electrical and plumbing, conducting earthworks, piling works to support the structure, and installing the first tower crane.
The hospital will encompass inpatient facilities for gynaecology and maternity patients, a neonatology unit, operating theatres, a family birth centre, and outpatient clinics.
The project will create more than 1,400 local jobs during construction, which is in accordance with the WA government’s commitment to building contemporary healthcare capacity.
In addition to the new hospital, plans include two multi-deck car parks delivering 2,500 bays to the precinct, a major expansion of Osborne Park Hospital, and an upgraded neonatal unit at Perth Children’s Hospital.
Work on the first 1,500-bay car park will begin soon, with planning underway for the second.
Premier Roger Cook said that this marked an important milestone in the state government’s commitment to deliver contemporary healthcare infrastructure for Western Australians.
“The $1.8 billion New Women and Babies Hospital Project will not only replace the century-old King Edward Memorial Hospital, but also expand services and choice for women, newborns, and families across the state,” said Cook.
“It forms part of our government’s ambitious $3.7 billion health infrastructure program.”
Transport Minister Rita Saffioti commented: “We are focused on delivering this transformative infrastructure project, which will support the health and wellbeing of Western Australian women, babies, and families for decades to come.
“As construction ramps up, the New Women and Babies Hospital Project will generate hundreds of local jobs and create opportunities for WA-based suppliers and contractors.
“Work will also soon begin on the first of two new multi-deck car parks at Fiona Stanley Hospital to support the growth of the precinct as this new state-of-the-art facility takes shape.”
Health Infrastructure Minister John Carey said construction on the project is advancing rapidly, beginning just five months after appointing a Managing Contractor and now progressing through site preparation.
He noted that the hospital’s design reflects state design principles and the site’s natural landscape, with bright, comfortable interiors and outdoor areas that promote care, rest, and connection.
Health Minister Meredith Hammat stated: “The New Women and Babies Hospital Project will deliver modern, purpose-built facilities to meet the needs of our community.
“This hospital will support complex and efficient clinical operations, but it’s also been designed with holistic healthcare in mind.”
Hammat said the project aims to deliver a healthcare environment that meets clinical requirements while also nurturing the emotional and personal wellbeing of patients, families, and staff.
She added that alongside the new Women and Babies Hospital and the major Osborne Park Hospital expansion, two new family birth centres — one north and one south of the river — will give Western Australian families greater choice in maternity care.
