In a landmark day for the health of South Australians, the construction of two complex dementia wards has been completed as part of the Marshall Liberal Government's historic reactivation of the Repat Health Precinct.
Minister for Health and Wellbeing Stephen Wade said the milestone on the Repat site is an important step in ensuring members of the community have access to specialised dementia services closer to home and when they need it.
"The Marshall Liberal Government listened to South Australians and promised to reactivate the Repat as a thriving medical and health hub for the community," Minister Wade said.
"The completion of these wards today, marks a key milestone in delivering on that promise and I deeply appreciate the hard work of all the people involved in helping that vision to be realised."
"With the completion of Ward 18 – the new Neurological Behavioural Unit (NBU) – and Ward 20 – the Specialised Advanced Dementia Unit (SADU) – we are continuing to deliver on our commitment to create a thriving health precinct at the Repat, with more than $110 million being invested to revitalise the site.
"From next week, patients will start to be cared for in these quality facilities and will benefit from the unique design, which has had input from people with lived experience of dementia, to deliver better care for residents with dementia.
"Due to the highly skilled staff required to work in the NBU, the ward is not expected to be fully operational until the end of the year as we recruit and train the staff required to deliver this state-first service.
"We know the Repat was a key pillar of care within the southern community for over 75 years and through our work, we will ensure it continues to play a significant role in the health care needs of South Australians now and into the future."
The completion of the NBU and SADU will also trigger a series of crucial services moves, as part of the Southern Health Expansion Plan (SHEP) to create more capacity for acute care in the south.
Southern Adelaide Local Health Network Co-Director Rehabilitation, Aged Care & Palliative Care, Catherine Hughes, said the completion of the wards at the Repat will see patients in Noarlunga Hospital's Myles Ward transferred to SADU, ensuring a high standard of care in a modern facility, while easing pressure across the Southern Adelaide Local Health Network.
"It is so important that patients, particularly those with dementia and complex care needs, receive the treatment and care they need in an appropriate environment," Ms Hughes said.
"The completion of SADU will see patients, who are currently treated at Noarlunga Hospital's Myles Ward, transferred to a state-of-the-art 12-bed acute dementia specialist facility at the Repat.
"Moving patients with dementia and complex care from Noarlunga Hospital's Myles Ward to the renovated Ward 20 will mean higher acuity patients can receive end to end care at Noarlunga Hospital.
"The patients relocating from Noarlunga to the Repat will be moved by Ambulance or Hospital vehicle escorted by clinical staff, to ensure each and every one of the individuals receive ongoing dedicated care while they are transported to the Repat site.
"Some key features and benefits of the new Unit include: supported way-finding, single rooms, continuous paths of movement, on-ward commercial kitchen, specialised sensory rooms, open spaces, gardens, acoustic panelling and a home-like aesthetic.
"We are looking forward to being able to provide excellence in dementia care here at the Repat site, surrounded by many world class providers such as Hammond Care's dementia village, community dementia services and Flinders University."
The Neurological Behavioural Unit (Ward 18) is expected to be operational by the end of 2020 and SADU (Ward 20) will be operational by next week.
