SA Health sweating on report by federal officials to determine whether $2.4b RAH can operate

THE $2.4 billion Royal Adelaide Hospital’s accreditation to operate is now being judged by inspectors who have had a second look after failing it in 24 areas prior to the March election.

SA Health is sweating on a report from federal officials which will determine whether the $2.4 billion Royal Adelaide Hospital is accredited to operate — but they say even if accreditation is not given they will continue to run the hospital as normal.

An inspection found the flagship new hospital failed in 24 areas — included seven core areas critical to safety — and was given 90 days to fix the problems which expired on June 3.

They are now awaiting results of a second inspection, due by the end of the month.

The original fail notice was issued prior to the March election but not revealed until the Liberals won office, when new Health Minister Stephen Wade released it on his first day after being sworn in as Minister.

The report covers the Central Adelaide Local Health Network (CALHN) which as well as the RAH includes The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Hampstead, Glenside, St Margaret’s and prison services.

The original report found 24 areas where critical safety and quality standards were not met, in some cases creating “risks to patient safety”.

SA Health Minister Stephen Wade inspects an accreditation report on the RAH on March 23, 2018. AAP Image/David Mariuz.

Three areas related to medication safety and management — with the risk it could “result in patient harm” — while another centred on lack of information being passed on to GPs for ongoing management of patients.

Another area deemed not up to scratch was efforts to minimise risks to patient safety.

This was given a “moderate risk” rating, with the warning that not identifying risks and managing them “could impact on patient safety”.

Investigators from the Australian Council on Healthcare Standards singled out lack of action on risks identified in a Mental Health Service ligature audit.

CALHN chief executive Jenny Richter said officials had acted to rectify the problems.

“All 24 Standards Not Met as raised in the accreditation report were addressed by the June 3 deadline and we’re awaiting a formal response from the accreditors,” Ms Richter said.

“As part of the final assessment, ACHS surveyors visited a range of sites across CALHN, including the RAH.

“We are expecting to receive a formal report by the end of the month, which will provide overarching feedback and an outcome on final accreditation.”

The accreditation report is for the whole of the CAHLN and officials believe if accreditation is again not met, further assessment would be required but that this would not result in any disruption to hospital services.

This is despite Mr Wade saying the RAH may be unable to function if it does not receive accreditation.

“If the accreditor decides not to renew accreditation, my understanding is it (the RAH) will not continue to operate,” he said when releasing the original report shortly after the election.

Labor had refused to release the report during the election campaign, saying it was in caretaker mode and it was an interim report.