$50 million in upgrade works to sustain the Women’s and Children’s Hospital
A $50 million “sustainment” program has begun at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital, the last major upgrade expected before the new one is built.
The $50 million upgrade of the Women’s and Children’s Hospital (WCH) has commenced to keep it up to scratch while a new WCH is planned and built.
The “sustainment” program at the North Adelaide site includes a new Child and Adolescent Mental Health ward, an upgrade of the Paediatric Emergency Department and redevelopment of neonatal areas and operating theatres.
Premier Steven Marshall said the works will ensure South Australian children continue to receive world class care in modern facilities.
“The State Government has invested $550 million towards the first works of a brand new WCH, but we also want to make sure South Australian families have the best facilities while planning continues,” Mr Marshall said.
“As the state’s major hospital for some of our most vulnerable citizens, it’s essential that the WCH can operate at the highest possible standard. Some of these works are already long overdue and I’m proud to be able to deliver this significant investment to better support the health and wellbeing of all South Australians.”
Minister for Health and Wellbeing Stephen Wade said the works including the new mental health ward will meet the growing needs of the community.
“Consumers and clinicians have been telling me for years that the current space in the mental health facility simply doesn’t meet the rising demand for mental health services for our young people,” Mr Wade said.
“This new ward includes outdoor space, a high dependency area and a layout that will improve the way we care for young people with mental health conditions.”
The contractor, Mossop Construction + Interiors, has begun work to upgrade the operating theatres and relocate some office space.
Work on the Paediatric Emergency Department is scheduled to commence in November while the neonatal redevelopment and the new mental health facility will start early next year.
Women’s and Children’s Health Network chief executive Lindsey Gough said the areas being upgraded are those most in need of work.
“We have worked closely with our staff, consumers and stakeholders to ensure these works meet the needs of our patients and provide value to the taxpayer,” she said.
The announcement came as the wider health system struggled to cope with demand — at 2pm on Monday metropolitan public hospitals had 82 patients who had been treated still stuck in EDs waiting for ward beds, including 22 who had been waiting for more than 24 hours.
