WA Must Fast-Track Emergency Department Projects to Protect Public Health

Emergency departments are the frontline of Western Australia’s health system. They are where lives are saved in moments of crisis and where the true resilience of our healthcare infrastructure is tested. Yet today, these departments are under immense pressure, with overcrowding, long wait times, and growing staff burnout painting a sobering picture.

The reality is clear. Population growth, an ageing demographic, and rising cases of chronic illness are driving unprecedented demand. Emergency departments built for yesterday’s challenges are struggling to meet the needs of today, let alone the demands of tomorrow. In Perth and regional centres alike, doctors and nurses are voicing concern over their ability to deliver safe and timely care. For patients, delays in treatment can be more than inconvenient—they can be life-threatening.

Recent reports reveal that WA consistently records some of the longest emergency wait times in the country. The demand curve is outpacing investment, creating a widening gap between community needs and system capacity. The longer this gap remains, the greater the risks to patient outcomes, staff wellbeing, and public trust in the health system.

This is why health advocates are calling for urgent acceleration of emergency department projects across the state. Fast-tracking these projects is not simply about bricks and mortar. It is about ensuring that when a child arrives with a severe asthma attack, when a senior suffers a stroke, or when a worker is rushed in after an accident, the system has the capacity to respond without hesitation.

There are promising signs. WA has outlined investments in new facilities and redevelopments. Yet the timelines attached to these projects often span years, and every delay compounds the strain already being felt on the ground. The urgency of the moment demands a more ambitious approach. Just as governments have demonstrated the ability to mobilize resources during natural disasters or the pandemic, a similar commitment is needed now for emergency health infrastructure.

International examples offer lessons in what can be achieved. In Singapore, rapid expansion of hospital capacity during periods of acute demand has been achieved through streamlined approvals and targeted investment. In Canada, modular hospital units have been deployed to relieve emergency department pressure while long-term projects are underway. WA can adopt similar innovative approaches to accelerate capacity while maintaining quality.

Fast-tracking does not mean cutting corners. It means prioritizing the projects that matter most, removing unnecessary bureaucratic barriers, and ensuring funding flows where it is needed. It means engaging frontline staff in the planning process, as they understand firsthand where the bottlenecks lie and what solutions will deliver the greatest impact.

Ultimately, this is about more than infrastructure. It is about the values that define WA as a community. A strong healthcare system reflects a society’s commitment to protecting its people, particularly in their most vulnerable moments. By acting decisively, WA can demonstrate that the health and safety of its citizens are not negotiable.

The call to action is clear. WA should fast-track its emergency department projects to match the urgency of the challenges ahead. In doing so, the state will not only ease current pressures but also lay the foundation for a more resilient, equitable, and trusted healthcare system for generations to come.

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