The audits are being conducted through the Southern Inland Health Initiative, which is ushering in a new era in country health for people living in the southern inland area, with the assistance of the Department of Finance’s Building Management and Works team.

The Southern Inland Health Initiative, funded under the State Government’s Royalties for Regions program, includes a $240million investment in the regional health workforce as well as $325million for capital works over the next five years.

Health Minister Kim Hames said the primary aim of the Southern Inland Health Initiative was improving access and upgrade services available to people living in regional and remote areas.

“There are major upgrades planned for district hospitals in Northam, Narrogin, Merredin, Katanning, Manjimup and Collie, as well new facilities or refurbishments of small hospitals and nursing posts across the Wheatbelt and Central Great Southern,” Dr Hames said.

Regional Development Minister Brendon Grylls said the building condition audits would be conducted by teams of architects and building surveyors, as well as electrical and structural engineers.

“Size and scale of these audits is truly impressive, the logistics of thirty-seven building condition audits across such a large area is akin to a large scale military exercise,” Mr Grylls said.

“Once these audits are completed, WA Country Health Service and Building Management and Works will review the findings and nominate and prioritise works required to support service delivery.”