A $7 million multi-deck car park will be built at the Lyell McEwin Hospital to help improve access to safe and secure car parking for patients and visitors.
Minister for Health and Wellbeing Stephen Wade said the 205-space, five-level extension to the western side of the existing multi-deck car park facility will help cater for increasing demand.
“Staff and visitors at the Lyell McEwin Hospital desperately need extra car parking space, and with the existing facilities often full, people are often forced to park on the street,” Minister Wade said.
“The new car park will provide a safe and secure parking area incorporated within the existing multideck facility which includes full weather protection, lighting, signage and CCTV to ensure safety and security for staff, patients and their loved ones.
“It will also alleviate the loss of around 67 existing car parks that will be removed to make way for the proposed Emergency Department expansion and new Mental Health Short Stay Unit.
“The former Labor Government had not budgeted nor planned for a much-needed increase in car parking at the Lyell McEwin Hospital, as part of the Emergency Department redevelopment. The Marshall Liberal Government will act by building new car parking capacity.”
Northern Adelaide Local Health Network Chief Executive Officer, Maree Geraghty, said the additional car parking will improve accessibility as demand on the hospital continues to grow.
“Providing a safe environment for our staff, patients and visitors is a high priority. This investment will help to ensure easier access to the hospital for all users,” Ms Geraghty said.
“The existing multi-deck car park has a capacity of 1227 spaces, and once the new section is complete, there will be a total of 1432 car park spaces available.
Construction on the car park is due to start later this year and be completed in 2020. Minister Wade also announced that SA Health was launching a staff and community survey today to inform a strategy to improve the safety of hospital precincts and their parking facilities.
“We have listened to staff and community concerns and we are committed to working with them to make our hospitals safer,” Minister Wade said.
“The survey asks for suggestions on what measures could be implemented to make parking safer and to improve the access to hospitals from car parks and public transport stops.”
Staff and the public will have two weeks to submit their feedback. Regular users of hospital car parks are also encouraged to participate.
The survey can be accessed at www.sahealth.sa.gov.au.
