Perth, Western Australia — 06/11/25
Health Consumers’ Council WA (HCCWA) welcomes today’s announcement by the WA Government of increased investment in hospital capacity, recognising it as an important step in responding to the current demand for hospital care.
HCCWA Executive Director Clare Mullen said the investment would be reassuring for people struggling to access timely care, and emphasised that the ultimate goal must be a healthier population that requires less hospital care in the first place.
“Every Western Australian deserves access to high-quality hospital care when they need it —but a truly sustainable health system keeps people healthy and supported before they reach crisis point,” Ms Mullen said.
“No one wants to need hospital care. Ill-health need not be inevitable. To reduce pressure on hospitals, we need to invest just as strongly in prevention, early intervention, and the social conditions that keep people well.”
Ms Mullen said consumers consistently raise concerns about the difficulty of accessing affordable and timely primary and community care and early intervention with health issues —particularly for people living with or at risk of chronic conditions, or in regional and remote areas.
“When there is a lack of early intervention programs, or people can’t access the right care at the right time, health problems escalate and hospital admissions become inevitable,” she said.
“It’s a relief to see hospital expansion to ease the current pressure on services. But without strong community-based options, as well as targeted investment in preventative health activities, the demand for acute care will keep rising.”
“Western Australians want to see a system that supports health, as well as one that treats illness — one that helps people to stay well, connected and supported in their communities.”
HCCWA is calling for a balanced approach that includes:
- Long-term investment in early intervention and preventive health programs,
- Better funding for community-based and multidisciplinary care, and
- policies that address the social and economic drivers of poor health.
“This is a welcome and necessary investment in hospital capacity. And we look forward to partnering with WA Health to ensure consumers and community members are actively involved in shaping these important infrastructure projects,” Ms Mullen said. “And if we want fewer people needing hospital care, we must also invest in prevention.”
For further information or media requests:
Clare Mullen | Executive Director
0488 701839
clare.mullen@hconc.org.au