People in the north and north-eastern suburbs of Adelaide will have access to a new, modern 20-bed Palliative Care Unit (PCU) from next week, as part of Modbury Hospital’s $146 million redevelopment.
Premier Steven Marshall said the Government is delivering a record investment to expand capacity in that state’s health system and deliver world class care for South Australians.
“With a wide range of upgrades and additional services being completed in the past few years, residents of the north-eastern suburbs are benefiting from our redevelopment of Modbury Hospital to create a contemporary facility for patients, families and visitors,” said Premier Marshall.
“This Government is building what matters to South Australians through our massive $3 billion hospital build program, investing in our health system to ease pressure on our hospitals, reduce ramping and deliver better care.
“The opening of the palliative care unit is yet another significant milestone at Modbury Hospital that is ensuring the local community receive the world-class care they need, closer to home”.
Minister for Health and Wellbeing Stephen Wade said the Northern Palliative Service supports more than 1,200 people each year for both in-patient and community care, with the Palliative Care Unit at Modbury Hospital delivering care for more than 650 people each year.
“The opening of the new Palliative Care Unit will ensure patients are cared for in a fit for purpose, spacious environment for end-of-life care to allow for dignity in dying,” said Minister Wade.
“The Northern Adelaide Local Health Network’s (NALHN) multi-disciplinary palliative care team are highly regarded and dedicated to providing world-class care to their consumers either in hospital or in their own homes, and now they have the facilities to match.
“The upgraded facilities offer a more home-like feel, providing comfortable spaces for visitors to stay with their loved ones.
“Labor’s failed Transforming Health plan saw Modbury Hospital downgraded, but we are reversing that with a massive $146 million investment that is seeing services brought back and giving residents in the north-eastern suburbs access to the health care they deserve.”
The purpose-built facility includes 20 individual rooms with private bathrooms and areas for complementary care, such as art therapy.
As part of the works, there has also been an upgrade of the existing established western garden and a new balcony adjacent to a spacious family and dining area offers a tranquil indoor and outdoor space.
NALHN’s Palliative Care Head of Unit, Dr Lawrie Palmer, said the new PCU, is now located on the ground floor of the hospital with its own entrance, offering patients and families direct access to beautiful private gardens and natural light.
“The therapeutic qualities of interaction and engagement with nature have also been thoughtfully designed and accessibly built,” Dr Palmer said.
“While we never want to see people in hospital over the festive period, the new unit will open next Wednesday, just in time for the festive season, allowing for families to spend time together in the new PCU building and new private, serene courtyard.
“The new PCU’s Aboriginal name, Wirringka, means ‘Together’. The courtyard will be named Mirnu Wirra meaning golden wattle grove, the golden wattle being planted today in the courtyard symbolises unity and represents resilience and the spirit of the people. The golden wattle is significant to the Kaurna people and carries medicinal beliefs.”
As part of the Modbury Hospital redevelopment, works on the new Short Stay General Medical Unit are ongoing with completion anticipated in January 2022.
