First look: Queen Elizabeth Hospital’s huge $314m upgrade

A massive $314 million expansion of the western suburbs’ premier hospital is now complete with 52 extra inpatient beds and 15 new ED beds. See inside.

Nurse practitioners Libby Birchmore and her daughter Amanda Fitzgerald in the new five-storey, $314 million expansion of the QEH, featuring 52 new inpatient beds and 15 new ED beds. Picture: Brenton Edwards

A new 67-bed expansion of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in the western suburbs will open to the public this week, with the $314 million upgrade set to feature more than 1800 clinicians, nurses and other staff.

The hospital’s new five-storey clinical services building will begin full operation on Wednesday and will include 52 new inpatient beds and a 46-treatment bay emergency department including 15 extra new emergency department beds, almost 50 per cent larger than the hospital’s old ED.

The new ED also has a three-bed rapid assessment zone to provide early investigation and treatment to fast-track patients.

The entrance to the new five-storey, $314 million expansion of the QEH. Picture: Brenton Edwards

The new emergency department unit of the new expansion of the QEH. Picture: Brenton Edwards

The new emergency department waiting area of the new five-storey, $314 million expansion of the QEH. Picture: Brenton Edwards

The facility is considered state-of-the-art. Picture: Brenton Edwards

Other features of the 27,000 square metre space include a larger 14-bed Intensive Care Unit, a new MRI machine and two CT scanners.

Central Adelaide Local Health Network acting chief executive officer Dr Kathryn Zeitz said the hospital, which was opened 70 years ago, was part of the fabric of the western suburbs.

“Engagement with health professionals and the community, including Aboriginal consumers, has been at the forefront of all planning and design of the new building to ensure the redevelopment reflects the needs of the western suburbs now and into the future,” she said.

A dedicated 52-bed rehabilitation facility, located on levels three and four of the building, will pave the way for the QEH to be a key provider of inpatient general rehabilitation services for patients recovering from a stroke, burns, an amputation or orthopaedic concerns.

The expansion features 52 new inpatient beds and 15 new ED beds. Picture: Brenton Edwards

The entrance to the new facility. Picture: Brenton Edwards

The upgraded five-storey facility is worth $314 million. Picture: Brenton Edwards

The building is also equipped with contemporary therapy spaces on each rehabilitation ward, consisting of single bedrooms each with their own ensuite and specialised features such as integrated ceiling lifters.

There are 12 state-of-the-art operating theatres with advanced digital technology to assist in surgical decision-making and treatment, and a new central sterilisation service for theatre instruments.

The new facility will be one of the first major healthcare buildings in Australia to be all-electric, with no natural gas used within the building.

Originally published as First look: Queen Elizabeth Hospital’s huge $314m upgrade