PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE: QUEEN ELIZABETH HOSPITAL—STAGE 2B

Ms CICCARELLO (Norwood) (11:43): I move:

That the 323^rd report of the committee, on the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Redevelopment—Stage 2B, be noted.

Stage 1 of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital redevelopment provided for the construction of a new in-patient ward building consisting of 200 beds to replace inadequate and outmoded ward facilities in the Tower Building. This facility now provides modern in-patient facilities for staff and patients. A further $120 million has been committed for stage 2 to continue the replacement of the aged infrastructure on the site and an analysis identified that $61 million is available for stage 2B. Stage 2B will provide for:

the delivery of the aged acute mental health unit as a priority;

approximately 2,400 square metres of new allied health and rehabilitation service treatment and support facilities that was previously to be part of the future stage 3; and

minimum essential requirements for the sustainment of the Tower Building to allow safe occupation until 2015-16.

The new 20-bed aged acute mental health unit will provide synergies with other acute mental health facilities on the campus. It is to be constructed in the south-eastern precinct of the main hospital site. The building site is made available by the relocation of existing site engineering support facilities, including engineering workshops and steam generation plant and removal of associated buildings and building infrastructure.

The aged acute mental health unit facility will be a new purpose-designed and constructed facility designed to support best practice clinical services to patients and manage their behavioural risks in a safe environment. It will also minimise recurrent maintenance and operational costs. The design will incorporate lessons learned in the delivery and operation of recent facilities at Repatriation General Hospital, Flinders Medical Centre and Lyell McEwin Hospital, as well as interstate and New Zealand experiences.

The aged acute mental health unit facility is to be delivered in two stages as part of the overall site redevelopment. Stage 1 comprises construction of the clinical services module with associated connections to the hospital circulation system. Stage 2 comprises construction of the admissions/shared entry module as part of the proposed rehabilitation services building and associated links to the existing south building. Clinical support functions located within the admissions/shared entry module will be temporarily located within vacant facilities in the maternity building and Cramond Clinic building.

The new rehabilitation and allied health facility will relocate all the disparate allied health functions in one place, create synergies by being closer to inpatient areas, and will allow for the creation of treatment zones for allied health services. The facility will be established over two levels and provide for a third floor if the need arises.

The Queen Elizabeth Hospital Redevelopment Stage 2B will provide high quality and efficient health care services that directly align to patient needs. It will do so by redesigning health care services to meet current and future needs of the local population. The redevelopment will also streamline services and reduce unnecessary delays, overlaps and duplication, as well as improve the functionality between service areas within the hospital.

In addition, the redevelopment will achieve economies of scale through amalgamating services and/or functions wherever possible without compromising service delivery. Client focused services will be ensured by re-engineering services to maximise integration, coordination and responsiveness.

The new facilities will support the effective and efficient provision of health care services by providing a well-designed modern day facility for patients and staff. The facility will meet quality standards and statutory requirements. By incorporating a health and well being approach to facility design, the facility will improve functionality and enhance workflow, thereby enhancing the continuum of care for patients.

The facility is flexible in its capacity to meet changing demand and has been configured to minimise patient and staff risk and improve patient outcomes. Greater use will be made of available resources within the Queen Elizabeth Hospital. This will be achieved by providing the equipment and infrastructure necessary to deliver effective services within a modern, safe and secure environment that enables the effective delivery of health care services and enhances staff morale. Current service practices and models of care will be redesigned and streamlined. The project is expected to be completed by June 2012.

Based upon the evidence it has considered during its inquiry, pursuant to section 12C of the Parliamentary Committees Act 1991, the Public Works Committee reports to parliament that it recommends the proposed public works.

Motion carried.