Lyell McEwin Hospital ED upgrade revealed
09 August 2019
Plans for the $58 million major
redevelopment of the
Lyell McEwin Hospital emergency department and
Short Stay Mental Health Unit have been revealed and submitted for
planning
approval.
Minister for Health and Wellbeing Stephen Wade said the proposed plans
will almost double the capacity of the emergency department to help
cater for projected population growth in the north and increased demand.
“The ED activity at the Lyell McEwin Hospital has increased
significantly over the past decade from 42,000 to more than 76,000
presentations last financial year, and activity is projected to continue
to increase annually,” Minister Wade said.
“The plan is to develop a three-storey
building development, north of
the existing emergency department, which will alleviate pressure on the
emergency department into the future.
“The purpose-built 8-bed Short Stay Mental Health Unit will provide a
more suitable care
environment for mental health patients requiring a short stay, and
improve patient flow through the emergency department.”
The highlights include:
-
Additional capacity for adult treatment spaces in ED
-
A new dedicated 8-bed Short Stay Mental Health Unit
-
An Emergency Extended Care Unit
-
New reception, waiting and triage area
-
Expanded dedicated paediatric assessment and treatment spaces
-
Dedicated ambulance arrival area for patient transfers
-
Additional resuscitation triage capabilities
-
A new bulk decontamination unit
-
New quick assessment and discharge facilities
-
Work stations and education spaces for staff
In the plans submitted to the SA
Planning Commission, the ED treatment spaces have been slightly reduced
from 77 spaces to 72.
Minister Wade said this is because the former Labor Government had not
budgeted nor planned for an increase in car parking spaces at the Lyell
McEwin Hospital as part of their redevelopment plans, so some of the
project money needs to be invested in relocating the car parking
displaced by the redevelopment.
“It is a planning requirement to increase parking as you expand
hospitals, not reduce it. Yet the Labor Government failed to plan for
this,” Minister Wade said.
“As a result, we have been forced to commit to a $7 million expansion of
the 5-level multi-deck car park at the hospital.
“Construction on the new car park will begin in the coming months to
cater for growing demand and to alleviate the loss of around 67 existing
car parks from the development.
“The Marshall Liberal Government does not want to cut corners because of
Labor’s poor planning. We have acted responsibly by planning and
budgeting for the much-needed extra car parking capacity.
“We will now work on finding opportunities to deliver the original ED
capacity within the project budget - whether that’s through construction
efficiencies or finding additional money.”
Northern Adelaide Local Health Network Chief Executive Officer, Maree
Geraghty, said the redevelopment is a major boost for the north.
“The Lyell McEwin Hospital has continued to grow with the community over
the past 60 years, and this expansion will help cater for the future
health needs of the growing northern Adelaide population,” Ms Geraghty
said.
“The project will be completed in stages in order for the existing
emergency department to remain operational, and I thank our staff and
community in advance for their patience while this project is underway.”
Construction is scheduled to commence early next year and is forecast to
be completed in 2022.
--ENDS--
Source: South Australian Government - www.premier.sa.gov.au
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