Health care for patients who are ready to leave hospital but not quite ready to return home will be turbo-charged with a $30 million funding boost as the Marshall Liberal Government continues to reactivate the Repat.
The extra $30 million will provide dozens of jobs during construction works and create facilities for people with dementia and care transition requirements.
Minister for Health and Wellbeing Stephen Wade said a 12-bed specialist ward for older patients with complex medical care needs will be created, as well as a 26-bed care transition facility, to create a South Australian hub for people living with dementia and those transitioning to home or an aged care facility following acute care treatment.
“Some of the State’s most vulnerable patients with complex care needs are currently being cared for in hospitals, which we know is often not the most appropriate place for their care,” Minister Wade said.
“We are investing more in the reactivated Repat site to create a dedicated ward that provides specialised treatment for older people with acute medical conditions.
“By refurbishing and modifying Ward 20, we will provide a 12-bed ward that will move these complex patients out of general hospital wards so they can receive more appropriate support and care.”
Ward 20 on the Repat site will be reconfigured into two six-bed pods to provide the specialised treatment of complex dementia patients who are assessed as having acute medical conditions.
Funding will also go towards the refitting of heritage wards for the construction of 26 care transition beds, which form part the first phase of works to be completed next year.
This will allow for the future redevelopment of the Specialist Brain Injury and Spinal Cord Injury Services.
This takes the total investment from both the Marshall and Morrison Governments on the Repat site to almost $110 million.
Minister Wade said the repurposed Ward 20 will be located alongside the new 18-bed Neurobehavioral Unit and the 78-bed HammondCare Dementia Care Facility at the Repat.
“With dementia rates rising more than 12 per cent over the past five years, we are committed to creating a hub that provides the absolute best care for all dementia patients,” Minister Wade said.
“The Dementia Care Facility, the 12-bed ward, and the Neurobehavioural Unit for the most complex dementia patients will create a cluster of dementia and older person health care services at the Repat.
“By saving the Repat, the Government has been able to provide additional capacity in the health system and help us move the patients currently stuck in general hospitals to more appropriate care.
“We are improving South Australia’s health services to ensure all patients with dementia receive the care they need, in the most appropriate setting.”
Of the $29.8 million capital funding, $9 million is new funding for Ward 20, and the additional $20 million for refurbishments and site works is reallocated from savings from other health projects.
Ward 20 will transfer services at Noarlunga Hospital to take advantage of co-location and provide specialist services for people with dementia.
The refurbishment and modification of Ward 20 is expected to be completed by the end of next year.
