Patients, visitors, and staff will have access to increased and more secure parking with today’s opening of The Queen Elizabeth Hospital’s new 500-space carpark.
Hundreds of South Australian jobs, including various trades, engineers and architects were created delivering these key milestone in the Marshall Government’s $263 million redevelopment of The Queen Elizabeth Hospital.
Minister for Health and Wellbeing Stephen Wade said the redevelopment would create about 200 more spaces than what was previously available for patients and visitors, while also providing safer parks for hospital staff.
“More than $263 million is being invested in TQEH to ensure the community has access to quality health care services in a modern hospital setting, and the new car park expansion will support the increase in future services,” Minister Wade said.
The new multi-deck, five-storey car park will provide 500 parking spaces for patients, families, and visitors, including more than 70 accessible spaces for people with disabilities.
CCTV has been installed throughout the car park and intercoms which connect direct to security have been placed adjacent to the lifts on each level. Visitors can also press the intercom to request assistance if they have health issues or to make general car park queries.
“The Government is investing in services and building world-class infrastructure to better support the health and wellbeing of all South Australians, and deliver care closer to home.”
“TQEH is at the heart of health care in Adelaide’s western suburbs, delivering high quality health care services, with strong links to teaching and research, it is important that we provide easy access to these services close to home,” Minister Wade said.
The Queen Elizabeth Hospital Director Engagement and Commissioning Redevelopment, Rachael Kay, said reference groups are supporting and advising on the redevelopment of the new TQEH Clinical Services Building.
“We have been working closely with consumers and staff on how best to ensure patients and visitors have easier access to the hospital, while also planning for future needs,” Ms Kay said.
“The reference groups will play a key role in consultation, facilitating consistent and genuine clinician, consumer and community input into future redevelopments.
“The car park itself has a number of environmentally friendly features, including electric vehicle charging stations and bicycle spaces. Rainwater tanks will provide water for landscape irrigation around the carpark.
“We have also partnered with the Hospital Research Foundation to create two murals to provide a calming and welcoming entry to our hospital, which emphasises our commitment to holistic patient care, art therapy, and the community.”
The new car park provides a net gain of 200 spaces, after allowing for the loss of existing spaces to make way for the new Clinical Services Building.
