Dr Cathy Milligan calls for action on ‘silent’ plan to expand Margaret River Hospital to meet surging demand

One of the region’s most prominent doctors has launched a passionate appeal to the State’s Health Minister on behalf of the beleaguered Margaret River Hospital to little avail. Margaret River Surgery director Dr Cathy Milligan took her shot at Sunday’s community cabinet meeting at the Heart to ask Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson for urgent intervention at the struggling campus. “People come in and say ‘Where is the emergency department’ and we say ‘You’re here’,” Dr Milligan said. The doctor asked about the status of a long-delayed master plan for expanding the campus which has seen a dramatic increase in presentations during the COVID pandemic buoyed by the region’s population growth and tourism appeal. “It’s gone silent,” she said, referring to exhaustive backroom lobbying for action. “Our foyer looks like a train station.” Dr Milligan said the hospital’s emergency department was now spilling out into the carpark and ambulance bays. Emotional in her delivery, the veteran GP said the hospital was “groaning” under the volume of treatment provided. “When can we expect to see an infrastructure upgrade in Margaret River?” she asked. Ms Sanderson did not directly comment on the funding issue, reiterating lines about Labor’s “record” $3.2 billion investment in the State’s health system. “It’s going through the proper process of government,” she told Dr Milligan. Ms Sanderson also cited recent money spent at the hospital as well as the $200 million redevelopment of Bunbury Hospital. However, the minister acknowledged the surge in usage at the hospital, but ascribed it to peak season trends rather than the year-round challenge Dr Milligan described. The Health Minister was backed up by the Premier who also pointed to logistical problems rather than WA Government inaction on funding the master plan’s implementation. “It’s actually the most difficult time in living memory to get something built,” he said. Before Sunday’s meeting, the Times asked the WA Country Health Service for an update on the stalled master plan as well as reports patients were being seen in the hospital ambulance bay. WACHS South West regional director Kerry Winsor denied the claims later made by Dr Milligan. “At no time are patients treated in the ambulance bay at Margaret River Hospital,” Ms Winsor said. “If a patient presents with respiratory condition, for the safety of other patients and staff they may undergo a COVID screen where clinically appropriate to do so. “Patients requiring urgent medical treatment are admitted to the hospital immediately.” Ms Winsor also confirmed progress on the campus expansion was “subject to relevant funding approvals”. “While the facility is aging, high-quality care remains available — including 24/7 medical cover,” she said. Ms Winsor also thanked local medicos and nurses “for all that they do to care for their communities”. Ms Sanderson said WA Health also had construction capacity limits which affected its works program Statewide.