Brain and spinal rehab patients set to move from Hampstead to Repat

Brain and spinal rehabilitation patients will move from Hampstead to the new 48-bed Repat centre from tomorrow – along with 250 staff.

The new Statewide Rehabilitation Services Building has opened at the Repat as part of the $125m revitalisation of the health precinct.

The 48-bed Brain Injury and Spinal Cord Rehabilitation facility — with all single rooms with ensuites — follows the new sports stadium, Town Square community space, Repat Veteran Wellbeing Centre and Repat Neuro-Behavioural Unit at the site.

It has accommodation for families to stay overnight in preparation for a return to home, and access to the sports stadium and pool for therapy, wheelchair sports and recreational use.

Spinal cord injury and brain injury rehabilitation services are moving to the site from Hampstead Rehabilitation Centre on Tuesday, when more than 250 staff and 29 inpatients will move from outdated facilities including four-bed wards.

Premier Steven Marshall said the building’s opening marked another important milestone in the revitalisation of the Repat.

The Repatriation Hospital in Daw Park. Picture: AAP Image/ Brenton Edwards

“This state-of-the-art facility will complement other rehabilitation services that have been returned to the Repat Health Precinct,” he said.

“The old facility was very tired, out of date and not fit for purpose.

“The Repat is one part of our record health spend expanding emergency departments throughout the state and boosting our health workforce to unprecedented numbers to ensure South Australians get the care they need, where and when it’s needed.”

Health and Wellbeing Minister Stephen Wade said the facility’s 24-bed Brain Injury Rehab Unit and 24-bed Spinal Rehab Unit will be co-located with a range of modern facilities to support patients to successfully transition to the community.

“Since Labor closed the Repat when Peter Malinauskas was Health Minister, we scrapped the sale of the site and $125m has been invested to revitalise the precinct as a vital part of South Australia’s future health system,” he said.

The $125m investment in the precinct includes $40m of federal funding.

Central Adelaide Local Health Network spokeswoman Rachael Kay said the purpose-built facility features lots of natural light, internal courtyards and multiple shared spaces for socialising and recreational activities where patients can be joined by family and friends.

“Rooms in our Spinal Rehab Unit are equipped with accessible desks and integrated lifting equipment, and daybeds in our Brain Injury Rehab Unit rooms, to create a functional space that supports patient wellbeing,” she said.