The basement of Perth's new children's hospital has been flooded after a pipe-work failure, the latest problem to plague the incomplete $1.2 billion proj

The flooding occurred after a hot water pump connection failed, a spokeswoman said.

The water was mostly contained to a plant room in the hospital’s basement that had been designed with waterproofing features, she said.

Opposition health spokesman Roger Cook questioned Health Minister John Day in parliament about the flooding and the Barnett government’s handling of the project.

“You will soon take responsibility for that building and when you do, you’re going to find a whole bunch of things you didn’t know were there before,” Mr Cook said.

“You’re going to enter into discussions with the builder about rectifications at the same time that you’re trying to wheel patients into the building.”

Mr Day said the state government could not be expected to have absolute control over technical issues during the construction of public hospitals.

Burst pipes also flooded the new $2 billion Fiona Stanley Hospital twice within three months last year, causing the temporary closure of operating theatres, delays to elective surgery and the diversion of ambulances.

The flooding also affected the air conditioning system and access to hot water.

The state government has previously blamed building company John Holland for installing 450 metres of faulty water pipes at the new children’s hospital and also 935 door frames that may not comply with Australian fire standards.

There have also been problems with 1500 green decorative panels on the building’s exterior that were damaged in transit to Australia.

The Nedlands facility will replace the ageing Princess Margaret Hospital for Children and is due for completion by the end of this year.

It was originally planned to open late last year but John Holland fell behind schedule.