WA Police have appealed for help to find the mother of a newborn baby boy left in a box outside a medical centre in the southern Perth suburb of Booragoon.

Key points: The baby was less than 24 hours old when it was found and taken to hospital

The baby was less than 24 hours old when it was found and taken to hospital Detectives say they have concerns about the welfare of the boy's mother

Detectives say they have concerns about the welfare of the boy's mother The medical centre says it's proud of how staff handled the "difficult" situation

Staff at the Garden City Medical Centre in Booragoon alerted police about 8:00am after finding the abandoned baby in good health.

The child was less than 24 hours old and was covered with a blanket inside the box.

It is believed the baby had only been alone for about 10 minutes when he was found and taken by ambulance to Perth Children's Hospital.

Detective Sergeant Dixie Johnson said the boy appeared to have been taken care of before being abandoned, and the mother left a note expressing that she wanted him to be looked after.

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But she said police had concerns about the mother's welfare, and appealed for her to come forward.

"It appears the baby hasn't been born in a hospital," Sergeant Johnson said.

"That's why we do want to speak to the mother because we've got concerns about the environment the baby was born in, and we really just need her to come forward to make sure she gets her medical attention and her welfare concerns are looked after.

"If she's not comfortable speaking to police, she's more than welcome speaking to the Department of Communities."

Police said the baby appeared to be cared for and was found with a note from his mother. ( ABC News: Gregor Salmon, file photo )

Medical centre applauds actions of staff

In a statement, the company behind the Garden City Medical Centre said it was proud of the way its staff had responded after finding the baby.

"We are proud to be able to provide health care services to the local community," Sonic Clinical Services said.

The medical centre released a statement saying it wished the baby's parents well. ( ABC News: Kathryn Diss )

"We are also proud of the way our staff, nurses and doctors handled this difficult and sensitive situation.

"We understand that this will generate a level of public interest, but we must respect the work of the emergency services, those providing ongoing care and the privacy of the baby and parents at what must be a difficult time.

"We wish them well."

Police analysing birth records

Sergeant Johnson said while there was doubt over whether the baby was born in a hospital, police would analyse any births on record over the past 24 hours as part of their investigation.

Sergeant Johnson is appealing for the mother to come forward, saying help is on hand. ( ABC News: Kathryn Diss )

She said it was an unusual situation.

"That's why we're quite concerned and we want the mother to come forward just to let her know that there are people that she can speak to and that there is help out there for her," she said.

Anyone with any information about the identity of the mother has been asked to call police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or report it online.

Police said if the mother did not wish to approach them, she could contact the Department of Communities on 9431 8800, or Crisis Care on 9233 1111 out of hours.