Surplus equipment from the old RAH has been across the world — and Adelaide

SURPLUS equipment from the old Royal Adelaide Hospital has benefited 58 local community groups such as schools and Scouts as well as 24 developing nations.

FROM Kurdistan and Kenya to Para Hills High and the Port Noarlunga Scouts, the legacy of the old Royal Adelaide Hospital is continuing to benefit communities.

Twenty-four nations across the globe, as well as 58 community groups across the state, received equipment as the hospital was decommissioned.

For example, students at Para Hills High doing the VET course Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing) who previously had one bed to work with now have three, as well as trolleys.

School principal Janette Scott welcomed the equipment, saying: “It will enrich our students’ learning and understanding of work because it provides a direct connection with the industry”.

Where possible, surplus stock was relocated to SA Health sites including 11 metropolitan and services, 15 regional services which received equipment worth around $3.3 million.

However, the closure saw the wealth spread far and wide as equipment no longer needed went to local community groups and charities such as schools, scouts and sports clubs, which shared about $1.8 million in goods.

Then there were 24 nations which shared in equipment worth around $13 million through Rotary’s Donations in Kind program, working in partnership with local charities. Decommissioning project manager, Chris Barber, said the program of distributing furniture, medical equipment and surplus items was now complete.

“It has been a mammoth effort from the team to ensure every item found a home, ensuring maximum benefit to the community and minimum waste,” Ms Barber said.

“I am particularly proud of the charities and community groups we have been able to help, both locally and overseas.

“Countries to benefit include Congo, Sri Lanka, Papua New Guinea, Mongolia, Nigeria, Nepal, Zambia, East Timor and Sierra Leone, to name just a few.

“We were so pleased we could help local charities, Scout groups and sporting clubs, as well as schools providing community services.” Auction partners Evans and Clarke National helped the sale of non-medical equipment which saw revenue in excess of $300,000 go to SA Health.

The final area to be decommissioned is the old Boiler House with the sale of 100,000 litres of diesel via tender — the fuel is not suitable for use in the new RAH generators.

Health Minister Stephen Wade said all South Australians can be proud of the charitable donations of the surplus equipment.

“South Australians can be assured that the decommissioned stock left behind at the old RAH was disposed of both responsibly and generously,” he said.

What’s gone where

EQUIPMENT donated to local community groups included beds, trolleys, a wide variety of furniture, computer goods and kitchen equipment.

EQUIPMENT donated to overseas medical centres included sterilisation equipment, surgical microscopes, operating theatre lights, ultrasound machines, mattresses, medical monitors, operating tables and wheelchairs.

LOCAL groups who benefited included 13 Scouts groups and 16 education groups ranging from child care, primary and high schools through to universities and TAFE.

THERE were also eight sports groups, the nurses’ union, Botanic Gardens, Zoo, SA Museum, SAHMRI, Salvation Army, Animal Welfare League, SA Film Corporation, Nexus Multicultural Art Centre and the Adelaide Day Care Centre for Homeless Person Inc.