The $45.7 million expansion of the Flinders Medical Centre Emergency Department will be brought forward by four months to counter the impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Premier Steven Marshall said bringing forward the expansion of the Emergency Department at FMC was part of the State Government’s strong plan to protect South Australians from the coronavirus pandemic.
“The State Government has acted decisively to expand FMC and ease pressure on South Australia’s health services during the coronavirus pandemic,” said Premier Marshall.
“Flinders Medical Centre (FMC) has the busiest Emergency Department (ED) in the state and we need to ensure it is well equipped to deal with the impacts of coronavirus and the winter flu season.”
Minister for Health and Wellbeing Stephen Wade bringing the Southern Health Expansion Plan earlier than planned would help prepare the State’s health system for the upcoming months.
“By bringing forward service moves from August to April 2020, our doctors and nurses will be able to have a dedicated space to assess and treat patients with coronavirus, as well as other emergency presentations.
“As part of the early expansion, emergency capacity will increase by up to 30 treatment cubicles and the ability to divert additional acute medical or surgical conditions to Noarlunga Hospital will begin from May 2020.
“Southern Adelaide has the highest proportion of elderly residents in the State and it is our responsibility to invest in services that deliver optimal care and we’re acting quickly to ensure this expansion is in place earlier.
“The expansion will enable staff to have the appropriate clinical space to deliver care for patients with the virus under the strict infection control guidelines in place.
“This expansion will help to reduce ramping and increase the clinical capability of Noarlunga Hospital, effectively minimising the ambulance transfers between Noarlunga and FMC.”
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