There will likely be three private emergency rooms — which charge up to $295 to see a doctor — operating in WA by the end of 2025.
Health industry experts say WA's rising number of private emergency departments is unlikely to erode investment in public hospitals, but patients should understand the limitations and costs of private EDs.
"It is a little bit curious because emergency departments are not profitable things for private hospitals," St John of God Health Care Group chief executive Shane Kelly said.For almost 20 years, the only private emergency department in WA was the St John of God facility in Murdoch.In May, the hospital said it had seen 5,000 patients in its first six months. It charges a $200 consultation fee.
"Obviously, our public emergency departments are pretty busy — very busy, in fact — and, I think, they're looking for another option," he said. The motivation for private hospitals, Dr Kelly said, was to fill empty beds by bringing more patients to the hospital door.
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