The Marshall Liberal Government is boosting its investment in The Queen Elizabeth Hospital (TQEH), with an extra $50 million of enhancements to the hospital's redevelopment which includes a new Emergency Department, Intensive Care Unit and operating theatres.
Minister for Health and Wellbeing Stephen Wade said the scope of the build was broadened following a clinical services planning review and its budget has been revised up from $264 million to $314 million.
"The expansion of the project marks a landmark moment for residents of Adelaide's west, while also stimulating the economy by creating local jobs through its design, construction and operation," Minister Wade said.
"The Marshall Liberal Government remains focussed on delivering better healthcare, closer to home, and creating jobs by building what matters to South Australians."
The extensive consultation undertaken with staff and stakeholders has meant that the expanded project will better reflect the needs of patients, staff and the community - now and into the future.
"Treatment bays at the TQEH Emergency Department will be increased from 31 to 46 - Labor's plan had no extra bays" Minister Wade said.
"Not only have bed numbers of the new rehabilitation facility been increased from 40 to 52, all 52 beds will now be in the new facility.
"An extra operating theatre will be added to the redevelopment, increasing TQEH's capacity to 12 operating theatres and supporting the hospital's role as an elective surgery centre.
"The number of Intensive Care Unit (ICU) beds was due to reduce under Labor's doomed Transforming Health downgrades. In contrast, the Marshall Liberal Government will build a new 14-bed ICU along with more recovery spaces.
Minister Wade said onsite preparatory works were already underway and the expanded project would be presented to the Public Works Committee in December.
Major construction works are expected to begin in the second half of next year and the expanded project is expected to be completed in 2024.
"The people of the western suburbs need services as close to where they live as possible," Minister Wade said.
"This improved redevelopment will ensure they have access to high-quality healthcare services in a state-of-the-art facility that will meet their future needs.
"The community was let down by Labor - fobbed off with hollow promises and scaling back of services at TQEH.
"The Marshall Liberal Government is continuing to invest in TQEH and continuing to reverse the damage Labor's Transforming Health plan did to our state's health system.
"This expansion will improve our health services, ease pressure on our emergency departments and deliver care closer to home."
The upgrades are part of the new and expanded Clinical Services Building - stage three of TQEH redevelopment.
As previously planned, general rehabilitation services will be relocated from Hampstead Rehabilitation Centre to TQEH, which will support the decommissioning of the Hampstead site.
The Clinical Services Building redevelopment will now include:
- Emergency Department expansion (including 46 treatment bays)
- 12 operating theatres and day surgery suite
- 14-bed Intensive Care Unit
- Central sterile supply department
- 52-bed inpatient rehabilitation facility
- More clinical support areas including medical imaging and pathology
- Staff support areas
The design of the new clinical services building will now be finalised and submitted for various approvals.
Works already completed as part of TQEH redevelopment project include the upgraded cardiac catheterisation facilities (completed July 2019) and the new 500-space multi-storey car park for patients and visitors (completed December 2019).
The clinical services building will be built on the site of the old car park.
