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House of Assembly - Fifty-Fifth Parliament, First Session (55-1)
2025-04-03 Daily Xml
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Public Works Committee: Port Augusta Health Service Upgrade

Ms HOOD (Adelaide) (11:51): I move:

That the 126th report of the committee, entitled Port Augusta Health Service Upgrade, be noted.

The Port Augusta Hospital is situated on the coastline of the Spencer Gulf, approximately 2.7 kilometres from Port Augusta's town centre. The proposed upgrades to the hospital by the Department for Health and Wellbeing plan to support the delivery of consumer care for people living within the Flinders and Upper North Local Health Network catchment.

The network manages the delivery of public health services for northern South Australia, servicing approximately 50,000 people living across a large remote region stretching from the Spencer Gulf to the state's borders with the Northern Territory, Queensland and New South Wales. Core network health services are provided by Port Augusta Hospital and Whyalla Hospital as well as a range of community-based facilities and outreach services to the border region.

An assessment of the existing Port Augusta Hospital building and services has provided a high-level summary of the infrastructure's condition and suitability, which has informed the creation of a master plan for the site. The plan's primary objective for this project is to upgrade priority ageing infrastructure and improve hospital security.

As part of its 2022 election commitments, the state government committed $8 million of capital funding to address ageing infrastructure at Port Augusta Hospital. The upgrades aimed to support projected growth of consumer presentations at the hospital as well as address quality and safety of care improvements and improve operational workflows. A planning study identified priority objectives to make upgrades and refurbishments to the emergency department (ED), the main switchboard, hospital security and the mortuary. The works will deliver:

a dedicated new entry zone;

the installation of new cameras for the safe assessment room;

expansion of and upgrades to the ED triage and reception area;

additional write-up space for triage support;

provision of a new respiratory assessment room;

upgrades to the waiting area;

replacement of services pendant devices in the ED resuscitation room;

provision of new security measures to staff bases;

replacement of the existing main electrical switchboard;

upgrades to security access control;

additional security cameras;

refurbishment of the existing mortuary;

six new body fridges; and

an extension of the mortuary to accommodate new equipment.

Hospital services will remain operational throughout the works, and the department does not expect interruption to services. The works may impact the hospital's entry area, and measures are in place to ensure any disruption does not affect service delivery. Works are anticipated to commence early this year, with the aim to be complete and commissioned by December.

The department has prepared a tailored contract procurement plan for the project. The Department for Infrastructure and Transport has engaged a professional services contractors team, comprising a lead professional services contractor, building services engineer, structural engineer and a cost manager. DIT is also managing the engagement of a construction contractor using established processes and competitive market approaches. Appointed contractors are to maintain current DIT qualification levels for the delivery and design of the project. Further, specialist professional service contractors may be engaged as required. An early works package to upgrade security screens in several nurses' stations has already been tendered.

Project delivery will follow best practice principles for project procurement and management, as advocated by the state government and construction industry authorities. These principles include extensive consultation to ensure incorporation of new and emerging strategies, valuation of solutions against the brief, development of formal communications with end users, establishment of a cost plan, regular reviews of design, and identification and management of project risks. Risk mitigation strategies include the establishment of an integrated management team comprising executive leadership representing the department (DIT), the local health network and the lead professional services contractor.

The project team has ensured that sustainability strategies are incorporated in the project, with the design work group tasked with ensuring initiatives are integrated into all work undertaken. These initiatives include:

the establishment of an environmental management plan;

the provision within the mechanical system for upgrades to meet potential increased adverse weather conditions, including higher temperatures;

maximisation of natural light;

efficient tapware and showerheads that meet government standards;

development of building management protocols and the comprehensive commissioning and tuning of the facility;

use of LED lighting to replace fluorescent fixtures;

procurement of building materials that are durable, environmentally responsible and locally sourced where possible; and

the selection of refrigerant in accordance with the Australian Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Code of Good Practice.

The department is in ongoing consultation with clinical and non-clinical staff and consumer reference groups and the industrial bodies concerning the development and delivery of the project. The local community has been consulted through an ongoing two-way process at various levels, which will be supported by targeted communication when development approvals are lodged.

The project team has also undertaken expert reviews with various units and agencies within both the department and the local health network. The network, along with the department's media and communications unit, will manage required communications, media inquiries and press releases. Relevant government departments have also been consulted regarding the project.

A search of the central archive has identified no record of Aboriginal sites within the proposed work locations, and the department states there are no registered state or local sites located within the project area. Consultation will continue through the final stages of design, construction and service readiness.

The committee examined written and oral evidence in relation to the Port Augusta health service upgrade. Witnesses who appeared before the committee were Melissa Nozza, Director, Capital Projects, Department for Health and Wellbeing; Jonathan Mau, Principal Architect, Hodgkison architects; John Jenner, Portfolio Manager, Health, Department for Infrastructure and Transport; and Trevor Byles, Director, Corporate Services, Flinders and Upper North Local Health Network. I thank the witnesses for their time.

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.

The Hon. G.G. BROCK (Stuart) (11:57): I would also like to speak today on the Public Works Committee submission regarding the long-overdue upgrade to the Port Augusta Hospital. The upgrades that are proposed will be the first improvements to this hospital for many years. These upgrades will be welcomed not only by the patients and residents of Port Augusta and surrounding areas who are serviced by the hospital but very much so by the dedicated staff. The staff and the doctors who utilise this facility will be greatly appreciative of these improved facilities, which will include the first major upgrade of the emergency department for nearly 20 years.

The waiting areas and reception will be far more welcoming and effective for patients and will include a dedicated room to better manage people who may have a potential infectious issue, which will assist with the health and wellbeing of other patients and staff. Very importantly, security will be improved, with state-of-the-art surveillance facilities.

Regional hospitals are the lifeline of communities. They service those living in the region but also offer great employment for the local communities that have, for many years, been forgotten. It is very pleasing to finally see some great improvements not only to Port Augusta Hospital but also to other regional hospitals, and for this I thank the state government very sincerely.

I would also like to thank the Minister for Health and Wellbeing for referring this to the Public Works Committee for their consideration, and at the same time I want to sincerely thank the members of the committee for their deliberation on this matter. I know for a fact from talking to people in Port Augusta and the council that they are very supportive and very appreciative of these works and are looking forward to their continuation and completion.

Motion carried.

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