Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt makes three healthcare announcements in Adelaide

A $30 million cash injection from the Federal Government will underpin a new brain and spinal rehabilitation unit at the Repat Hospital redevelopment.

• Older person’s mental health, brain and spinal care, at centre of new plan to reopen Repat Hospital

A $30 million cash injection from the Federal Government will underpin a new brain and spinal unit at the Repat Hospital redevelopment, as part of a trio of announcements by Health Minister Greg Hunt today in Adelaide.

Mr Hunt will also announce an additional $400 million for drug and alcohol treatment, and indigenous heath research.

Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt

Under this umbrella, Australians battling drug and alcohol addiction will be the focus of a $268 million national investment over the next three years.

And a $160 million national research initiative will be launched to improve the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

The Federal Government’s commitment to the new 26-bed specialist inpatient ward comes a week after Premier Steven Marshall unveiled a long-awaited masterplan for the reopening of the site.

“I’m delighted to be able to deliver a new state-of-the-art facility for brain and spinal rehabilitation patients, which will uniquely be co-located with modern accommodation facilities, making a patient’s transition to the community easier and giving them access to specialised services whilst they are waiting to go home,” Mr Hunt said.

An artist’s impression of the Repat Hospital town square. Picture: Supplied

“This funding commitment ensures we are one step closer to reactivating and revitalising what will be a critical part of South Australia’s future health system.”

The $30 million will relocate treatment and rehabilitation facilities for people living with disabilities — ranging from spinal cord injury, to acquired brain injury and other cognitive or physical impairment — from the Hampstead Campus.

Australians battling drug and alcohol addiction will also be the focus of a $268 million nationwide investment from the Federal Government over the next three years.

The National Centre for Education and Training on Addiction, based at Flinders University, will receive a share of $24 million until 2022 to undertake research into alcohol and other drug issues.

An artist’s impression inside the Repat Hospital. Picture: Supplied

The Adelaide and Country SA public health networks will receive a combined $5.47 million a year for alcohol and other drug treatment services from July 1.

Withdrawal management and rehabilitation services that already receive government funding will also be eligible to apply for a share of $29 million funding a year.

Mr Hunt will today announce a two-year pilot program for take-home drug naloxone that can temporarily reverse opioid overdose.

“We know that people impacted by alcohol and drugs need to be able to access appropriate support when and where they need it,” Mr Hunt said.

“This funding will help provide this access.”

SAHMRI in Adelaide. Picture: MATT LOXTON

He will also be joined by indigenous Health Minister Ken Wyatt at the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI), which will be involved in a $160 million national research initiative to improve the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

The indigenous Health Research Fund will be a 10-year program that aims to end some of biggest preventable health conditions including avoidable blindness and deafness, as well as Rheumatic Heart Disease.

It’s advisory panel comprising prominent indigenous research experts and community leaders will be co-chaired by SAHMRI’s Professor Alex Browne.

Mr Wyatt said the research would inform and make health programs for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people more effective, which was key to closing the gap in health outcomes.

“It is time to come together as a nation to work as partners in bringing equity in health outcomes” Mr Wyatt said.