Joondalup Health Campus will retain its after hours GP clinic after this masthead revealed its future was being considered by its private owner Ramsay Healthcare.
The Australian Medical Association of WA raised concerns over the future of the clinic at Joondalup Health Campus after it was alerted to the review.
WAtoday understands Ramsay indicated to staff at the clinic that it would be shut down and the hospital’s existing emergency department would pick up the slack.
On Thursday Ramsay did not respond to questions about the future of the clinic, only confirming it was “reviewing the clinic’s operations.”
Late on Friday afternoon it confirmed the clinic would stay.
“Following the review of the After-Hours GP Clinic at Joondalup Health Campus, a decision has been made to continue the service,” a spokeswoman said.
The after-hours clinic opens 7pm to 11pm on weeknights, and Ramsay’s website said it often deals with ailments including infections, suturing minor cuts or wounds, plastering for fractures, gastrointestinal problems and mental health concerns.
AMA (WA) president Kyle Hoath on Thursday said he was aware the clinic was under review and cautioned any move to close the facility.
“We would be concerned by any move to close or wind back an after‑hours GP clinic at JHC at a time when WA emergency departments are under sustained pressure,” he said.
“Such clinics exist to provide urgent GP‑level care after hours, that treat a wide range of conditions that would otherwise end up in an ED.
“Joondalup Health Campus operates under a public‑private partnership arrangement, and decisions that affect after‑hours GP access and ED demand have clear system‑wide implications.”
Hoath said Joondalup was a major hospital for Perth’s northern corridor and managed 97,624 presentations in the emergency department during the 2023-24 financial year.
“So any action that results in a narrowing of access to after‑hours primary care needs to be approached very carefully and transparently,” he said.
Joondalup’s ED was the second busiest in the state during the 2024-25 financial year behind Fiona Stanley Hospital.
Fiona Stanley recorded 111,851 presentations over the 12-month period, while Joondalup recorded 96,066.
Royal Perth Hospital recorded 77,850 presentations while Sir Charles Gairdner recorded 77,697.
Health Minister Meredith Hammat did not respond to a detailed list of questions, instead saying she was aware the hospital was reviewing the future of the clinic.
Hamish Hastie is WAtoday’s state political reporter and the winner of five WA Media Awards, including the 2023 Beck Prize for best political journalism.Connect via X or email.
