Lyell McEwin Hospital staff to get extra 250 spaces in new carpark
Hundreds of new parking spaces will be available to staff at Lyell McEwin in a new private car park as safety is increased — but workers will have to pay.
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Nurses and other hospital staff in the northern suburbs will have access to an extra 250 secure spaces in a newly constructed carpark opposite the Lyell McEwin Hospital.
Minister for Health Stephen Wade today said a new lease agreement paved the way for dedicated staff parks in a new multi-deck carpark on Haydown Rd, due to be completed in mid-2020.
The deal comes as a survey on hospital carparking revealed more spaces was the top issue.
“We are committed to ensuring the community has access to quality health care services in a modern hospital setting, and the new carpark will support the increase in future services,” Mr Wade said.
The carpark will provide secure after-hours access for staff, with well-lit access, and CCTV security camera coverage, Mr Wade said.
The 250 new spaces are in addition to the $7 million multi-deck expansion within the hospital grounds for staff, patients and visitors.
The project, announced in July, will see a 205-space, five-level extension to the western side of the existing multi-deck carpark facility to help cater for increasing demand for Lyell McEwin services.
It will also more than cover the expected loss of 67 existing front-entry car parks that will be removed to make way for the proposed emergency department expansion and new mental health short stay unit.
Staff also are losing parking space following the sale of vacant land on Mark Rd when that leave agreement expires.
Northern Adelaide Local Health Network chief executive Maree Geraghty said the northern suburbs have the highest population growth in South Australia, with a quarter of the state’s population expected to live there by 2026.
“The new lease will accommodate the long-term requirements for the northern suburbs and will improve accessibility as demand on the hospital continues to grow,” Ms Geraghty said.
“The existing multi-deck carpark has a capacity of 1227 spaces, and once the new section is complete there will be a total of 1432 car park spaces in the existing multi-deck, plus the 250 new leased staff car parks opposite the hospital from July next year.
“In addition to increasing car parks, we have also taken steps to increase onsite security and have held staff information sessions on personal and community safety and situational awareness, led by SAPOL, following recent violent incidents in recent months across public hospitals.
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“We are committed to providing a safe working environment for our staff and have been reviewing lighting, monitoring and functionality of CCTV, security patrols and duress alarms on the site and are also in consultation with the precinct partners that include the local council to look at streetscape upgrades, such as increasing width of footpaths and trimming of trees.”
An service started last month provides a vehicle after hours driven by a guard to take staff to their car for those who park on roads around the hospital.