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House of Assembly - Fifty-Fifth Parliament, First Session (55-1)
2024-06-27 Daily Xml
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Whyalla Hospital and Health Service Emergency Department Upgrade

Mr BROWN (Florey) (11:52): I move:

That the 80th report of the committee, entitled Whyalla Hospital and Health Service Emergency Department Upgrade, be noted.

The Department for Health and Wellbeing (SA Health) proposed to upgrade the emergency department and high dependency unit at the Whyalla hospital, which operates within the Flinders and Upper North Local Health Network. This local health network manages the delivery of public health services to approximately 64,000 people in regional townships such as Hawker, Leigh Creek, Port Augusta, Quorn, Roxby Downs and Whyalla. It covers over 540,000 square kilometres from the north of the Spencer Gulf to the borders of the Northern Territory, Queensland and New South Wales.

The Whyalla Hospital is a comprehensive general hospital that, alongside a 24-hour accident and emergency department, provides multiple health services, including a high dependency unit; general medical and specialist surgical care; obstetric and neonatal services; anaesthetic, cardiac, rehabilitation and stroke services; chemotherapy; a cancer resource centre and renal dialysis; Aboriginal health services; and integrated mental health services. The hospital's high dependency unit is one of two regional units of its kind in South Australia and services a wider catchment that takes in the entirety of the Eyre Peninsula and the North and Far North of the state.

In 2018-19, the emergency department received over 14,000 actual presentations. Endorsed SA Health modelling anticipates this will increase to over 18,000 presentations by 2032 and will require 10 to 12 undifferentiated treatment bays to service this expected increase. The current emergency department has six undifferentiated treatment bays and two resuscitation bays. As well as capacity constraints, the existing emergency and high-dependency facilities have challenges, including asset condition, compliance and operational issues. These impact on the delivery of safe and quality care in an operationally efficient manner.

As part of a $45 million Federation Funding Agreement between the commonwealth and state governments, an $11.4 million commitment was made in 2019 to upgrade the emergency department and the high dependency unit at the Whyalla hospital, with funding to flow from 2022-2023. A further $4 million allocation from the state government's Asset Sustainment Program will supplement this funding, bringing the total funding commitment to $15.4 million. With an expected completion by late 2025, the emergency department upgrade will increase the number of treatment and assessment spaces to 13 and will include the following facilities:

two treatment bays with direct access to an ensuite;

a negative-pressure isolation room with direct ensuite access;

a triage assessment room;

a new staff station, with sightlines to all bays;

two behavioural assessment rooms that will allow for close supervision from staff areas, with anti-ligature fittings and dual doorway access and egress;

two resuscitation and hybrid resuscitation rooms; and

the separation of ambulance and ambulant entry.

In addition, the high dependency unit will upgrade the unit's six existing bays, with one bay having a negative-pressure isolation function and anteroom access and will include provisions for a new staff station. The two areas will share facilities including a new public waiting room, additional staff offices, and high-grade staff amenities. Both units will maintain close functional relationships with key services such as operating theatres, radiology, pathology and mental health. This upgrade will provide modern, fit-for-purpose facilities to meet operational needs and modern clinical standards, as well as enable the provision of appropriate levels of care to the surrounding communities.

The project aligns with the Flinders and Upper North Local Health Network Strategic Plan by providing safe, quality health care for consumers and ensuring services to meet the community needs, plus creating a safe workplace for staff. Additionally, it will strengthen partnerships and agreements within and beyond the Upper Spencer Gulf region. The project also aligns with the primary objective of SA Health's strategic plan to ensure that South Australians experience appropriate health care through the delivery of safe and high-quality services to patients, families, carers and staff. This is achieved by designing and building systems, services, policies and procedures to minimise risk.

The project will follow the best-practice principles for project procurement and management, as advocated by the state government and construction industry authorities. Risk management will form an integral part of this process, to identify and assess risk and ensure appropriate management or mitigation measures are incorporated into the project delivery.

One risk presented is that construction works will be carried out in a proximity to an operationally clinical environment. This requires clear, ongoing communication with site management and consumers to minimise disruption to those attending the hospital. The existing emergency department and adjacent vacant area will be demolished as part of the works and there is a risk presented by the existing building fabric having volumes of asbestos-containing material. This will require the removal of asbestos under controlled conditions.

To minimise the risks of cost inflation, the project will be carefully managed to align with the approved budget, with appropriate design and construction contingency allowances to address potential latent conditions arising during the construction phase. To manage these risks, a two-tier government structure has been established, with an executive leadership team responsible for strategic oversight and an integrated management team responsible for overall day-to-day operational management.

SA Health has incorporated sustainable development principles into the scope of the project. SA Health notes that facilities with good environmental qualities are essential to achieving a good, value-for-money solution which will assist in creating a positive workplace, reduce energy and water consumption, reduce the consumption of renewable and non-renewable resources, and minimise recurrent project costs.

To help achieve these aspirations, sustainable measures will be incorporated, including the use of energy-efficient heating, cooling and lighting; a mechanical system designed to deal with increases in adverse weather conditions; an environmental management plan to effectively manage construction waste and air, water, and noise pollution; and the use of water-efficient sanitary and tapware fixtures. Furthermore, these incorporated design measures will increase adaptability and allow changes of use with minimal impact. This will help ensure the building is adaptable and futureproofed.

Engagement and consultation has occurred with clinical and nonclinical staff, consumer reference groups and industrial bodies, as well as various units and agencies within SA Health and the Flinders and Upper North Local Health Network. These include work health and safety, infection control and hygiene advisers and the Office of the Chief Psychiatrist. The local community has been consulted through an ongoing two-way process of engagement, and will include letter drops to neighbours when development approvals have been lodged, and several evening sessions presenting further details and answering local community questions.

The committee examined written and oral evidence in relation to the Whyalla Hospital and Health Service emergency department. I thank all the witnesses who appeared before the committee and also thank the member for Giles for his ongoing support and commitment to this particular project. Based upon the evidence considered, and pursuant to section 12C of the Parliamentary Committees Act 1991, the Public Works Committee reports to parliament that it recommends the proposed public work.

Ms PRATT (Frome) (12:00): I rise to speak to the 80th report of the Public Works Committee, entitled Whyalla Hospital and Health Service Emergency Department Upgrade, and welcome all investment into country hospitals.

The SPEAKER: Member for Frome, we will have to continue with this report at another time; you automatically get the call. I know the member for Giles is also very keen to speak on this very important report. Thank you for your very brief start to your contribution.

Ms PRATT: I seek leave to continue my remarks.

Leave granted; debate adjourned.

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