Early works have begun on the expansion of the Lyell McEwin’s Emergency Department (ED) and the development of a new Mental Health Short Stay Unit at the flagship northern hospital.
The $58 million project will almost double the hospital’s current ED capacity and is part of the Marshall Government’s landmark $1 billion hospital infrastructure investment.
“The Lyell McEwin ED has been under intense pressure for many years and this investment will ensure it continues to provide first class health service for the people of northern Adelaide,” said Minister for Health and Wellbeing Stephen Wade.
“The $58 million investment will also deliver critical jobs as South Australia deals with the severe economic fallout of the coronavirus pandemic.”
Minister Wade said the investment in the Lyell McEwin ED was part of the Marshall Government’s plan to undo the damage of the former Labor Government’s Transforming Health experiment.
“The Lyell McEwin was pushed to breaking point as a result of Labor’s downgrading of Modbury Hospital during Transforming Health,” said Minister Wade.
“The 8-bed Short Stay Mental Health Unit is a particularly important initiative providing a much more suitable environment for mental health patients whilst improving patient flow through the ED.
“The hospital’s redevelopment will be completed in a staged approach to allow the hospital to continue to safely deliver clinical services and operate the ED throughout the construction period.
“This is particularly important given that we need to be ready for a second wave of positive COVID-19 cases in South Australia or other increase in demand for health services.
“The early works begin as the $7 million extension of the multi-storey car park will now open earlier than expected.
“The early opening of the first two floors of the car park extension will ensure there is no short-term reduction of car parks for visitors and our staff.
“We are committed to ensuring the northern community has access to quality health care services in a modern hospital setting, and the new additional car parks will also support the increase in future services.”
The first stage of the Lyell McEwin Hospital expansion will include temporary reconfiguration of the Oldham Road car park area, with construction of a temporary ambulance entry and alterations to the public drop off and car park to ensure access can remain to the existing ED for the public and staff.
Northern Adelaide Local Health Network Chief Executive Officer, Maree Geraghty, said with a temporary delay to commence early works in March due to competing demands of COVID-19, we are pleased to see the first stage of construction is now underway.
“Following consultation, we have adjusted the design and staged approach of the expansion to ensure we are on track for building works to commence to the new three-storey ED and the purpose-built Mental Health Short Stay Unit in the second half of the year,” Ms Geraghty said.
“It is great news for our staff and patients that the first two floors of the new car park are able to be opened and be made available sooner than the originally anticipated overall completion set for July 2020.
“As we start to see construction at the front of the hospital, I want to take this opportunity to thank our staff and consumers for their patience during the upcoming construction period.”
