Residents in Adelaide's western suburbs are a step closer to accessing enhanced hospital facilities and services as demolition commences at The Queen Elizabeth Hospital (TQEH) today, as part of the Marshall Liberal Government's record hospital infrastructure investment.
Minister for Health and Wellbeing Stephen Wade said the demolition will make way for a new Emergency Department, Intensive Care Unit and Operating Theatres to modernise TQEH, increasing emergency, critical care and surgical capabilities for patients.
"This $314 million investment will significantly improve services at The Queen Elizabeth Hospital and deliver on our commitment of providing care closer to home for South Australians in Adelaide's western suburbs," said Minister Wade.
"Today is an historic day for the project, with the demolition signalling the beginning of significant works on the site.
"This major redevelopment will provide the infrastructure required to improve patient services and flow, and ease the pressure on our busy metropolitan hospitals.
"The Marshall Liberal Government is delivering a record $7.4 billion health spend. We are delivering a landmark $3 billion hospital build program that will help ease pressure on our emergency departments, deliver state-of-the-art facilities and provide care closer to home for more South Australians."
The demolition of an unused building located in the centre of the site will make way for the state-of-the-art clinical services building, with construction expected to start later this year.
Central Adelaide Local Health Network (CALHN) Executive Director of Capital Projects, Rachael Kay, said the redevelopment aligns with CALHN's focus on world-class healthcare and research.
"The redevelopment will ensure our community has access to high-quality healthcare services in a contemporary facility that will meet their future needs," said Ms Kay.
"The start of demolition signifies a major milestone in the redevelopment project and from here staff, patients and visitors will see the site transform as we head towards construction.
"We thank our staff and consumers for their involvement in the planning so far and their ongoing patience during the redevelopment to date."
The new Clinical Services Building will include:
- Larger Emergency Department (expanded to 46 treatment bays including a 4-bed behavioural assessment unit)
- 12 operating theatres with recovery areas
- Cardiac Catheter Laboratory and a procedural suite
- 14-bed Intensive Care Unit
- Central sterile supply department
- 52-bed inpatient rehabilitation facility
- Medical Imaging Department
- Pathology Laboratory; and
- Staff support areas.
As previously planned, general rehabilitation services will be relocated from Hampstead Rehabilitation Centre to TQEH, which will support the decommissioning of the Hampstead site.
Works already completed as part of TQEH redevelopment project include the upgraded existing cardiac catheterisation facilities (completed July 2019) and the new 500-space multi-storey car park for patients and visitors which was completed at the end of 2019.
The entire redevelopment is expected to be completed in 2024.
For more information visit the SA Health website.
