RAH the star of new video that showcases its world-leading coronavirus response to global investors

Watch the new video sent to global finance giants that shows why the RAH is one of the best hospitals in the world to deal with a pandemic – as its boss says SA has “learned to love it”.

• Inside the RAH intensive care unit in the time of COVID
• Check out the latest range of Advertiser subscriber rewards

A video has been sent to more than 30 global banks and investors showcasing the Royal Adelaide Hospital as the benchmark for future hospitals to cope with a pandemic.

The sometimes-controversial aspects of the hospital’s design – from single-patient rooms to the automatic service “RAHbots” – have proven vital during the pandemic in minimising infection risk.

That’s the message being told to investors handling billions of dollars worth of projects in the new video.

RAH consortium manager Celsus, which designed, financed and built the hospital under a 30-year contract with the State Government, has sent the video to its 28 financial backers worldwide as well as six equity partners on its board.

The seven-minute, 32-second film shows how the RAH has been a shining example of how to manage the challenges of the pandemic, with features such as:

SINGLE-PATIENT rooms to minimise infection risk, including potentially from patients admitted with one condition but later testing positive to COVID-19.

RAHBOTS to move linen and food around the hospital with minimal human contact.

TECHNOLOGY in each patient room that can be monitored and changed from a central point, including temperature settings.

AIRCONDITIONING systems that can be set to “pandemic mode” to isolate dedicated areas and avoid cross-contamination.

TREATMENT facilities “vertically stacked” for quick and direct access from the rescue chopper helipad down to the emergency department, intensive care units, technical suites, blood bank and laboratories.

GREEN space and numerous courtyards for socially distanced relaxation areas.

ABILITY to swiftly create a separate COVID-testing clinic testing up to 200 patients a day.

Adelaide health network boss Lesley Dwyer says the Royal Adelaide Hospital has been a world-class facility during the pandemic. Picture: Roy VanDerVegt

Central Adelaide Local Health Network chief executive Lesley Dwyer tells viewers on the video it is now setting world benchmarks.

“This building has really come into its own. We’ve learned to love it,” she said.

Celsus chief executive Di Mantell said the video showcased the RAH to its worldwide investors as a template for how to build a hospital that can cope with a pandemic.

These include the six equity investors on the Celsus board who have projects – including hospitals – underway around the world.

“This really does put South Australia on the international map,” she said.

Ms Mantell has been consulting with hospitals in the UK, which she toured last year, noting they have been forced to install perspex screens in their shared patient rooms.

Celsus chair Mark Balnaves said: “Our partners have done more than 50 hospitals worldwide, and this is a standout facility from their point of view.”