Legislative Council, Tuesday 27 October 2026
Ms FORREST question to the LEADER of the LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, Ms RATTRAY
With regard to the North West Regional Hospital and current redevelopment works:
- Has any provision been made for at least one fully equipped parenting room to be constructed; and
- Will the re-development of the Emergency Department include a parenting room to promote and enable parents with young children and babies to safely and comfortably tend to their babies’ needs, including changing facilities, breastfeeding chairs, hot water and sink for formula preparation, and adult and toddler toilets; and
- If not, will this decision be reconsidered?
ANSWER:
The redevelopment design was informed by extensive consultation and co-design with North West Regional Hospital frontline staff, hospital leadership, consumers and community representatives, including consideration of the needs of parents with young children and babies.
This engagement helped identify the facilities and supports most important to families, and these priorities have been incorporated into the final design to ensure parents and carers can safely and comfortably attend to their children’s needs while accessing hospital services.
The project at the North West Mental Health Precinct includes facilities to assist parents, carers and families visiting the precinct, including a dedicated family room provided adjacent to the foyer and waiting area. This room will provide a separate space for families, including those visiting with children, to wait or meet with staff. In addition, an accessible toilet in the Level 1 public area will incorporate a built-in baby change facility and appropriate nappy disposal facilities.
The redevelopment of the North West Regional Hospital Emergency Department includes the following provisions:
- Discrete breastfeeding booth that doubles as a discrete interview space associated with the public waiting room
- Acoustically separated Paediatric waiting room
- Built-in baby change facility in the public area accessible toilet
- Dedicated family room inside the Emergency Department