New WCH centrepiece of Health infrastructure spend but cost unknown
The new Women’s and Children’s Hospital is Health’s centrepiece spend but its cost remain unknown and the $685m announcement includes the existing $550m down payment.
SA News
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A $1.7bn health infrastructure package over four years includes a $685m provision to begin construction of the new Women’s and Children’s Hospital.
However, the cost of the hospital, now due for completion in 2025-26, will not be known until a business case is finalised next year, and the new figure includes the $550m “down payment” for the project already announced last year.
Other infrastructure spending already announced includes an extra $50m on the Queen Elizabeth Hospital redevelopment taking its total budget to $314m, $42.8m on a variety of other projects, and $50m on upgrades to the existing WCH.
Health will get an extra $897m over five years for “additional support for the ongoing operation of the health system” amid the pandemic challenge, as strict plans for financial efficiency targets to rein in spending by the end of 2021-22 are “re-evaluated.”
This includes $197m for the statewide rollout over three years of the Sunrise electronic patient record system, replacing the disastrous EPAS system that was halted amid cost blowouts, delays and complaints by clinicians.
The planned city urgent mental health centre received $14m over five years to provide more appropriate care and reduce demand on hospital EDs, while $5.6m will be spent over three years on an expanded home hospital service to also cut pressure on hospital EDs.
The Department for Health and Wellbeing’s total budget hit a record $7.193bn, almost double Education’s $3.926bn and well ahead of Infrastructure and Transport on $1.939bn, Human Services on $1.082bn and Police on $1bn.
Treasurer Rob Lucas noted spending on health was up by more than $1bn in the past two years compared to original estimates, including a rise of $676m this year from the estimate in last year’s budget.
The massive budget has $330m for the Health response to COVID-19 including money already spent.
This includes $19.7m over two years to activate the former College Grove and Wakefield hospital sites if needed, $75m over two years to ensure private hospitals are available to help if needed, $93m for personal protective equipment, and $83m for public health measures including contact tracing, SA Pathology testing and the hotel quarantine system.
There is also $17m over two years for free carparking and public transport for hospital staff.
Other new initiatives include $157,000 for a silicosis disease register to help early diagnosis and treatment of the lung disease.
Health and Wellbeing Minister Stephen Wade said an extra $15.1m would also be provided to support the mental health of South Australians through the pandemic.
“The Marshall Liberal Government has responded to the biggest health challenge of our time by delivering a budget that is focused on protecting the physical and mental health of South Australians both now and into the future,” Mr Wade said.
“A series of regional projects forms part of our $1.7bn health capital program over the forward estimates which is also continuing the substantial upgrading of our major metropolitan hospitals, commencing construction of a new Women’s and Children’s Hospital and delivering on the commitment to build what matters for South Australians.”
DETAILED READING
AT A GLANCE: Five-minute guide to the budget
MAIN WRAP: Tunnels, tennis stadiums and tax relief
SPORTS UPGRADES: $40m upgrades for Memorial Drive, Hindmarsh Stadium
ANALYSIS: Why this Budget will change SA forever
POLICE: High-def cameras to catch drivers on mobile phones
BUSINESS: Payroll tax holiday extended
ACROSS SA: What’s in the Budget where you live