A major step forward for the new RAH
Source: South Australian Government - www.premier.sa.gov.au
11 December 2010
The State Government has unveiled the design of the new RAH and announced the preferred bidder to build and maintain the new hospital.
The SA Health Partnership consortium, which includes Leighton Contractors, Macquarie Capital Group, Hansen Yuncken and Spotless, will now enter the final stage of negotiations with the State Government’s project team, with contracts expected to be signed in the first quarter of next year.
Premier Mike Rann said the new RAH will deliver state-of-the-art 21st century health care to generations of South Australians.
“It will be Australia’s most advanced hospital and the single largest infrastructure project in our State’s history,” the Premier said.
“The emergency department will treat more patients, there will be more beds, bigger and better equipped operating theatres and single rooms for privacy and reduced risk of cross infection.
“The designs for the hospital are breathtaking and show the wonderful facilities that patients and staff will benefit from including significant “green” components with reduced energy and water consumption and efficient design.
” Health Minister John Hill said. “The bidding process for the design and construction of the new RAH has been intense and the two bidding consortia included some of the most experienced finance, design and construction firms in Australia and indeed the world.
“By working with the proponent, we have increased the size of the new hospital to ensure the most efficient and effective service delivery for decades to come.
The hospital will have 172,000 square metres of fully-enclosed space and also return three hectares of rail yards to the Parklands.
“Doctors, nurses and other health professionals worked with the Health Department on developing a plan for exactly what was needed in the new RAH.
“The bidding process produced designs incorporating the requirements of our experienced medical professionals and also brought together innovations from hospitals around the world,” Mr Hill said.
The new RAH will have:
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An emergency department capable of treating an extra 24,000 (25 percent more) patients every year
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120 more beds, including 40 percent more intensive care beds, than at the RAH’s current site
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40 operating theatres - five more than at the current RAH and all larger at 65 square metres to allow for equipment like MRI scanners to be used during surgery.
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Single rooms with en-suite bathrooms for patients, providing space for treatment and rehabilitation, the reduction of the risk of cross infection and greater comfort and privacy.
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Gardens and open spaces across the site.
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Advanced IT systems to improve patient safety and provide improved clinical and patient information.
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A fleet of automatically guided vehicles to help move equipment and supplies around the hospital.
“Patients and staff will have a world-class hospital, located alongside the new teaching and research facilities at the SA Health and Medical Research Institute in the city’s west end,’’ Minister Hill said.
Treasurer Kevin Foley said the Government will now start final negotiations with the preferred proponent on the contract for the PPP, the largest such project in Australia.
“Under the deal, SA Health Partnership will build, finance and maintain the new RAH and provide non-clinical support services over a 29 year period,” Mr Foley said.
“The contract will ensure the hospital is maintained to contemporary standards, which effectively future-proofs the hospital so that the next generation will have a hospital as up-to-date in 29 years’ time as it is on the day it’s completed.”
Work to remove the rail lines from the site will start next month.
Plans for the hospital will soon be lodged with the Development Assessment Commission and Adelaide City Council to consider.
Following the signing of the contract and financial close of the deal, site works can start, with construction of the hospital beginning later next year.