Health Minister Peter Malinauskas: Queen Elizabeth Hospital revamp ‘not just a stunt to win seats’

PREMIER Jay Weatherill and Health Minister Peter Malinauskas have rejected suggestions a major revamp of the QEH and the reinstatement of 24/7 cardiac services is being motivated by next year’s State Election and the fact they both represent western suburbs electorates.

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PREMIER Jay Weatherill and Health Minister Peter Malinauskas have rejected suggestions a major revamp of the QEH and the reinstatement of 24/7 cardiac services is being motivated by next year’s State Election and the fact they both represent western suburbs electorates.

At a press conference today, the pair announced a commitment to hire specialised cardiology staff to retain services at the QEH - a backflip on its original decision to close all cardio services in the West.

Currently, major cardio services at the QEH only operate from 8am until 8pm - hours that doctors say are “dangerous”.

After downgrading the services, the government is now investing in two upgraded cath (cardiac catheterisation) labs and two echocardiogram machines to allow for 24/7 treatment of cardiac emergencies.

SA Health will commence recruitment for a range of key cardiology staff, including senior clinical staff, including an interventional cardiologist, cardiac technician, radiographer and senior cardiac nurses.

Minister Malinauskas said he hoped the 24/7 service would be running again by next July.

Opposition Health Minister Stephen Wade said he believed both Minister Malinauskas and the Premier, both of whom have electorates in the west, had used the announcement for political gain.

“I don’t think it’s a stunt - I think it’s yet another attempt by the Labor Party to mislead the people of the Western suburbs,” he said.

“(They don’t) have a commitment to retain cardiac services - if they did, they would have started recruiting staff in June when they did the backflip.”

Minister Malinauskas denied claims the announcement was for political gain.

“It’s not at all (about gaining seats) - it’s about making sure that we deliver an outstanding, world-class health service for everyone,” he said.

“People are always cynical about significant announcements in the lead up to an election - today’s only good news.”

Today’s announcement also outlined details on the hospital’s multi-million upgrade as part of a $1.1 billion health cash injection in this year’s State Budget.

The upgrade includes a new, larger emergency department, a dedicated elective surgery centre and a new intensive care unit, which will be located in a purpose-built building.

New concept plans for the $270M QEH redevelopment. Pictures: Supplied

It also includes a new 500-space multi-storey car park, as well as new mental health and rehabilitation facilities, including a hydrotherapy pool to enable the transfer of the services from the soon-to-be-closed Hampstead Rehabilitation Centre.

New concept plans for the $270M QEH redevelopment. Pictures: Supplied

The government also announced today that the QEH is set to become a leading nursing and allied health university hospital, in partnership with the University of South Australia.

The agreement provides for a commitment between the Central Adelaide Local Network and UniSA to transition the QEH to a university hospital with a strong focus on rehabilitation, allied health and nursing.

Premier Jay Weatherill said the announcement “demonstrates the State Government’s long-term commitment not only to services at the QEH but to our current and future staff and education here in South Australia”.

Health Minister Peter Malinauskas said the $270m investment would allow Western suburbs residents to continue to access a “world-class public hospital close to their homes”.

Works are set to begin in early 2018.