Cases of complicated pregnancy in regional Western Australia are usually transferred to KEMH by the Royal Flying Doctor Service.

In 1909, a meeting was convened in Perth by the Women's Service Guilds to discuss the establishment of a new maternity hospital.

The main outcome of the 1909 meeting was to appoint a committee to pursue the matter, jointly chaired by Edith Cowan and Jane Scott.

Plans were suggested for building an extra ward at the Perth Public Hospital, or as an adjunct to the Home of Mercy in Lincoln Street, but eventually the site of the Industrial School in Subiaco was chosen.

KEMH has Australia's first milk bank, as well as a comprehensive inpatient service for women suffering from postnatal psychiatric disorders.