Plans for the $58 million major redevelopment of the Lyell McEwin Hospital emergency department and Short Stay Mental Health Unit have been revealed and submitted for planning approval.
Minister for Health and Wellbeing Stephen Wade said the proposed plans will almost double the capacity of the emergency department to help cater for projected population growth in the north and increased demand.
“The ED activity at the Lyell McEwin Hospital has increased significantly over the past decade from 42,000 to more than 76,000 presentations last financial year, and activity is projected to continue to increase annually,” Minister Wade said.
“The plan is to develop a three-storey building development, north of the existing emergency department, which will alleviate pressure on the emergency department into the future.
“The purpose-built 8-bed Short Stay Mental Health Unit will provide a more suitable care environment for mental health patients requiring a short stay, and improve patient flow through the emergency department.”
The highlights include:
- Additional capacity for adult treatment spaces in ED
- A new dedicated 8-bed Short Stay Mental Health Unit
- An Emergency Extended Care Unit
- New reception, waiting and triage area
- Expanded dedicated paediatric assessment and treatment spaces
- Dedicated ambulance arrival area for patient transfers
- Additional resuscitation triage capabilities
- A new bulk decontamination unit
- New quick assessment and discharge facilities
- Work stations and education spaces for staff
In the plans submitted to the SA Planning Commission, the ED treatment spaces have been slightly reduced from 77 spaces to 72.
Minister Wade said this is because the former Labor Government had not budgeted nor planned for an increase in car parking spaces at the Lyell McEwin Hospital as part of their redevelopment plans, so some of the project money needs to be invested in relocating the car parking displaced by the redevelopment.
“It is a planning requirement to increase parking as you expand hospitals, not reduce it. Yet the Labor Government failed to plan for this,” Minister Wade said.
“As a result, we have been forced to commit to a $7 million expansion of the 5-level multi-deck car park at the hospital.
“Construction on the new car park will begin in the coming months to cater for growing demand and to alleviate the loss of around 67 existing car parks from the development.
“The Marshall Liberal Government does not want to cut corners because of Labor’s poor planning. We have acted responsibly by planning and budgeting for the much-needed extra car parking capacity.
“We will now work on finding opportunities to deliver the original ED capacity within the project budget – whether that’s through construction efficiencies or finding additional money.”
Northern Adelaide Local Health Network Chief Executive Officer, Maree Geraghty, said the redevelopment is a major boost for the north.
“The Lyell McEwin Hospital has continued to grow with the community over the past 60 years, and this expansion will help cater for the future health needs of the growing northern Adelaide population,” Ms Geraghty said.
“The project will be completed in stages in order for the existing emergency department to remain operational, and I thank our staff and community in advance for their patience while this project is underway.”
Construction is scheduled to commence early next year and is forecast to be completed in 2022.
