Families and children from around the state will now have access to better services following the completion of stage one of a $3.5 million upgrade to the Women's and Children's Hospital.
Minister for Health and Wellbeing Stephen Wade said the Paediatric Emergency Department redevelopment upgrade forms part of a $50 million sustainment project which will ensure South Australian children continue to receive high quality care in today's hospital as we plan and build the hospital of tomorrow.
"The completion of this project is another step in the Marshall Liberal Government's mission to deliver better patient services closer to home," Minister Wade said.
"We are committed to investing in infrastructure to better support the health and wellbeing of young South Australians.
These significant upgrades will enable our world class clinicians to continue to provide the highest quality care while we plan for a new hospital.
"The State Liberal Government has committed $550 million to support planning for this new world-class facility, which will give South Australian families access to the most advanced hospital care, technology and medical research."
The upgraded Paediatric Emergency Department (PED) has an improved triage area, refurbished clinical support areas, larger waiting areas, bright illustrations along the walls and a fun interactive area to engage and distract children during their visit to the hospital.
The Marshall Liberal Government immediately halted the former Labor Government's WCH funding cuts ($6.4 million slashed in 2017/2018) and increased the Hospital's Budget by more than 14 per cent (7.8% or $34.5 million in 2018/19 and 6.7% or $31.8 million in 2019/20).
"In the first two years of the Marshall Liberal Government, Women's and Children's Hospital expenditure has increased by more than $65 million." Minister Wade said.
Women's and Children's Health Network Executive Director of Corporate Services, Phil Robinson, said while the new PED will be open to the public from February 25, minor works will continue behind the scenes with stage two and three of the redevelopment to follow.
"These works will include an isolation room, dedicated mental health assessment spaces, additional multi-purpose consultation spaces, support spaces, a patient bathroom and new staff work areas," Mr Robinson said.
"We have worked closely with our staff, consumers and stakeholders to ensure these works meet the needs of our patients and believe this upgraded space will allow our staff to continue to provide the highest standard of emergency care to children from across the state."
The upgraded Paediatric Emergency Department will be fully completed by mid-2020.
For more information, visit www.wch.sa.gov.au/upgrades
