Royal Adelaide Hospital safety report: Incoming Health Minister Stephen Wade faces first landmine

A “DEVASTATING” report on safety standards in the Royal Adelaide Hospital, including hazards in operating theatres, will be the first landmine awaiting incoming Health Minister Stephen Wade today.

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INCOMING Health Minister Stephen Wade faces his first landmine today in the form of the safety and quality standards of the $2.3 billion Royal Adelaide Hospital.

While lauded by supporters as one of the most advanced hospitals in the world, problems in the six-month-old facility threaten its ability to operate.

An interim report into minimum safety and quality standards required for accreditation to operate as a major teaching hospital was delivered to officials early this month but was not released prior to the election.

Mr Wade had not seen the report prior to being sworn in today as Minister, however sources familiar with the contents describe parts as “devastating” and that it threatens the ability of the hospital to function.

Sources have told The Advertiser issues include safety hazards in operating theatres.

Mr Wade faces immediate pressure to release the report publicly, after his own party made the same demand on the former government.

Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt caused political uproar during the election when a letter he wrote to then-Premier Jay Weatherill was released questioning why the Australian Council on Healthcare Standards accreditation report delivered to SA Health on March 5 had not been released.

“There are seven core standards and 17 additional standards where the hospital is, I’m advised, falling short, including medication and safety procedures,” the letter stated.

“It means that there’s 90 days to get these right and if not, then the hospital would lose its accreditation.”

Mr Weatherill rejected the criticism during the campaign saying it was sent to public servants after the government was in caretaker mode so Labor officials had not seen it, as it was ‘deep in the agency.’

In a letter to then-Department of Premier and Cabinet chief executive Don Russell shortly before the election the Liberals’ Rob Lucas demanded the report be made public immediately, and questioned whether senior members of the public service were protecting ‘the political fortunes of the Labor Party at the expense of the public’s right to know.’

Mr Russell was sacked from his position by Premier Steven Marshall on Wednesday.

The demand by Mr Lucas puts the spotlight directly on Mr Wade to now, as incoming Minister, demand the report from the public service and release it publicly.

Mr Wade also faces pressure to demand the ACH Group’s $200 million masterplan for the site of the former Repatriation General Hospital from SA Health officials and publicly release it.

Former health minister Peter Malinauskas had promised to release it publicly but did not and it has since emerged it contains options for a hotel and light industry.