No federal funding for Geraldton Hospital expansion

Federal Health Minister Sussan Ley has ruled out any federal funds for new buildings to expand Geraldton Hospital.

"It has never been the responsibility of the Federal Government to provide infrastructure funding to maintain State Government hospitals,” she said last week, while visiting the hospital.

“I do need to emphasise we are not providing dollars for capital funding to public hospital facilities anywhere in the country.

“We want to support this community through Melissa Price to deliver the agenda we have federally around health and hospitals — it’s much bigger than just the infrastructure at the public hospital and it is always all about the patient.”

Ms Ley said, however, following the recent Cabinet meeting in Geraldton, infrastructure expenditure was under close consideration by the State Government and the necessary planning was proceeding.

Member for Geraldton Ian Blayney has previously urged the State and Federal Governments to provide $100 million for a hospital upgrade to combat overcrowding.

OPINION: Casualties in hospital funding war