SA’s health system: Taskforce set up to plan new women’s and children’s hospital next to RAH

AN expert taskforce has been formed to plan construction of a new women’s and children’s hospital alongside the Royal Adelaide, in a move to “future proof” SA’s health system.

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AN expert taskforce has been formed to plan construction of a new women’s and children’s hospital alongside the Royal Adelaide, in a move to “future proof” SA’s health system.

Premier Steven Marshall on Wednesday announced the panel would be led by former WCH chief executive Jim Birch and be charged with determining the cost and size of the build.

The new RAH was built with substantial surrounding space for an expansion, a move the former government said was necessary to plan for demand growth over the coming decades.

Mr Marshall said the State Government was delivering on a campaign pledge to drive co-location of the two hospitals and ensure better care for women and children.

The Adelaide medical precinct on North Tce.

“The Marshall Government will build this vital new hospital to deliver the best health outcomes,” he said.

“The WCH has provided exceptional service to the SA community and the need to upgrade the hospital presents a priceless opportunity to relocate it.

“Today is a significant step towards future proofing the health care needs of women and children, continuing the long and proud history of the WCH.”

Mr Birch will chair a 15-person taskforce, with clinicians making up the majority of its membership. It will identify the capital cost of the project, the number of inpatient beds required and the statewide models of care needed to support day-to-day operations.

Health and Wellbeing Minister Stephen Wade said clinicians must have input from the start.

“The lack of a helipad at the current WCH results in gravely-ill children being flown to the RAH before being transferred to WCH by ambulance,” he said.

“This can delay the commencement of lifesaving treatment and increase the risks to the patient’s health.

“Having the WCH next to the RAH will end the practice of separating seriously ill mothers from their newborn children and transferring them to another hospital for adult intensive care services.

“Having mothers and children treated in hospitals that are a considerable distance apart creates additional stress for the patient and their families.”

During the campaign, Labor said it wanted to move the women’s component of the existing WCH to the new RAH site, estimating the cost of doing so at $528 million.

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