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House of Assembly - Fifty-Third Parliament, First Session (53-1)
2014-09-17 Daily Xml
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Lyell McEwin Hospital

Mr GEE (Napier) (14:26): My question is to the Minister for Health. Minister, what investments have been undertaken by the state government to improve services at the Lyell McEwin Hospital?

Mr Tarzia: They cut beds.

The SPEAKER: The member for Hartley is called to order.

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING (Playford—Minister for Health, Minister for Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Minister for the Arts, Minister for Health Industries) (14:26): This week marks another important milestone in the $314 million redevelopment of the Lyell McEwin Hospital with the opening of a brand new, state-of-the-art intensive care unit. This new 11-bed unit will allow critically unwell patients to receive their care in a spacious area with the best medical equipment and technology.

Being in intensive care can obviously be distressing for patients and their families. The new unit has calmer surroundings and more privacy for families and visitors to spend time with their loved ones while they recover, or during those difficult times when they need to say goodbye and to grieve.

Stage 1 of the ICU redevelopment has delivered five intensive care bays and six private rooms, including a room fitted with its own air supply to quarantine patients with serious infection or disease. All rooms and bays have an outside view, are larger in size and are fitted with overhead lifters to allow patients to be moved quickly, safely and comfortably.

Stage 2 of the ICU redevelopment will include refurbishing of the existing unit and the temporary closure of 14 beds. Once the second stage of the refurbishment is finished in April 2015, the number of ICU beds at the Lyell McEwin will almost double from 14 to 25.

Northern Adelaide is one of our fastest growing areas, and the expanded intensive care unit will allow more critically unwell patients to receive life-saving treatment closer to home. The redevelopment of the Lyell McEwin Hospital is part of the state government's broader plan to continue modernising South Australia's health system and meet the needs of the growing northern suburbs and surrounding areas. Other recent milestones include the opening of a new 96-bed inpatient ward, a dedicated women's and children's health hub, a helicopter landing pad and the new Northern Adelaide Cancer Centre.

While any improvement of our public health infrastructure is welcome, the system relies on the dedication and professionalism of those who provide care to the sick and injured every day. With the unprecedented surge in demand we have experienced over the last month, I would like to pay tribute to their hard work, particularly during a very challenging time.

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