As the West Australian government clambers to respond to new problems at the ageing Perth Quadriplegic Centre, its executive director has revealed some wings aren't used because they are unsuitable for modern equipment.
The WA government was spurred into an early budget announcement after it emerged on Monday that patients didn't have access to hot water for several days.
At an impromptu press conference on Monday afternoon, health minister John Day revealed $500,000 would be set aside in this week's budget for a committee to tackle plans for the improvement of the ageing quadriplegic centre.
But the centre's executive director Shane Yensch said the previous health minister Kim Hames was aware of how out of date the 1960s facility was, but was too busy with other projects to prioritise a solution.
"The previous minister was certainly aware of it ... unfortunately he had things like Fiona Stanley (Hospital) and the Children's Hospital," Mr Yensch told ABC radio on Tuesday.
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Mr Day said upgrades to the centre were now at the top of the government's priority list.
"Clearly its not acceptable for patients in any facility, particularly with the circumstances that people at the quadriplegic centre have, to be feeling cold or not being able to have hot showers," Mr Day told 6PR radio.
"As to why the quadriplegic centre's needs or redevelopment weren't addressed prior to this point, I guess it is a matter of the competing priorities and the financial pressures that exist."
Mr Day said he was confident the care provided at the centre was adequate, but acknowledged the facilities left "something to be desired".
Opposition leader Mark McGowan said the state government had responded too slowly to the issue and not treating it with the seriousness it deserved, and was now spending money on "another committee".
"There's been report after report," he told the broadcaster.
"Warning bells have been around for a long period of time."
Mr McGowan said Labor would make redeveloping the facility a priority if the party won next year's state election.
