Western Australia Launches $140 Million Winter Health Strategy to Boost Hospital Capacity and Immunisation
Western Australia has initiated a $140 million winter health strategy focused on increasing hospital capacity and boosting immunisation rates across the state. A key component of this strategy includes the expansion of free Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) vaccinations to approximately 15,000 older adults residing in residential aged care facilities. The overall plan aims to mitigate pressures on emergency departments and prevent a recurrence of challenges faced during previous winter illness seasons.
The $140 million strategy is designed to enhance Western Australia's health system and alleviate pressure on emergency departments during the winter months.
Premier Roger Cook stated that the strategy aims to strengthen the health system's resilience against illnesses such as RSV and influenza, which impact hospital bed availability. This funding is in addition to existing hospital allocations.
Expanding Free RSV Vaccinations for Aged Care Residents
As part of the broader strategy, Western Australia has expanded its free RSV vaccination program to older adults in residential aged care facilities. This $2.6 million program is projected to vaccinate 15,000 aged care residents in the current year. Preventative Health Minister Sabine Winton indicated the program is part of a wider winter strategy to reduce emergency department presentations by preventing illness.
RSV is identified as a highly contagious illness capable of causing severe infection, particularly in older adults with pre-existing conditions and infants. In 2025, Western Australia recorded over 12,000 RSV cases, with approximately one-third affecting individuals aged over 65.
The expansion follows an earlier rollout of free RSV vaccinations for mothers and babies, which reportedly resulted in 500 fewer hospital presentations for infants. Private RSV vaccines are reported to cost up to $300. Juniper facilities, an aged care provider, are scheduled to commence their annual vaccination program for residents in March.
Broader Investments for Hospital Capacity and Patient Care
The $140 million funding is allocated across several key areas to improve hospital capacity and patient care:
- Hospital Bed Capacity: $61 million is designated to increase bed capacity statewide. This includes contracting private beds during periods of high demand and integrating approximately 200 beds from St John of God Mt Lawley Hospital, which the government is in the process of purchasing.
- Elderly Patient Care: $24.5 million is committed to the national "Time To Think" program, which aims to reduce hospital stays for older patients who are medically cleared but require post-discharge care. An additional $20 million will fund a pilot service providing 24/7 monitoring for elderly patients outside of hospital settings under clinical supervision.
- Immunisation Boost: $14 million is allocated to improve vaccine uptake across the state. This includes targeted immunisation programs for vulnerable groups and the provision of flu mist vaccine for children aged two to 11.
Context and Stakeholder Reactions
The strategy follows a challenging 2025 winter season, which recorded over 30,000 influenza cases. This period also saw over 4,000 hours of ambulance ramping outside metropolitan hospitals in January of the current year and contributed to elective surgery delays.
Stakeholders have offered various perspectives on the strategy:
Russell Bricknell, Chief Executive of Juniper aged care provider, noted an increase in respiratory outbreaks within aged care settings. He stated that access to the free RSV vaccine would impact the wellbeing of residents and provide cost savings for facilities.
Dr. Ramya Raman, Chair of the Royal Australian College of GPs, supported the initiative, stating that RSV can be life-threatening for older adults, especially those in aged care. She expects the program to protect individuals and reduce strain on emergency departments and hospital wards.
Australian Medical Association WA president Kyle Hoath welcomed the strategy but emphasized the need for further work, particularly regarding patient discharge pathways to aged care.
Shadow Health Minister Libby Mettam characterized existing hospital situations as "unacceptable" and suggested the government was attempting to address past underinvestment.
Health Minister Meredith Hammat indicated she would investigate specific cases of patient care, following an account from Katrina Carnicelli regarding her mother's two-day stay in an overflow ward at Royal Perth Hospital.