South Australia Minister for Health and Wellbeing Stephen Wade

Modbury Hospital Upgrade Designs Revealed

Victor P Taffa

Marshall Government has revealed plans for an upgrade of Modbury Hospital to improve health services in the north east and ease pressure on our emergency departments.

Unveiling designs of the major upgrade, Minister for Health and Wellbeing Stephen Wade said the work on the first phase of the $96 Million project would begin next month and were long overdue.

“While Labor downgraded services at Modbury as part of their failed Transforming Health plan, the Marshall Liberal Government is investing in world-class infrastructure to deliver better patient care closer to home for the residents in the north and north-east.” Minister Wade said.

“Expansion will ease pressure on our busy emergency departments and modernise the aged facility, increasing capabilities and improving facilities for patients and staff.”

“Innovative designs and relocation plans will enhance clinical collaboration between departments across Modbury hospital, and have positive flow on effects across the Northern Adelaide Local Health Network (NALHN).”

“First phase of the project involves upgrading the façade to make it safe and bring it to modern standards.” Minister Wade said.

NALHN Chief Executive Officer Maree Geraghty said more patients would be able to have surgery and recover closer to home with the total redevelopment of the surgical floor.

“Expansion of the surgical floor includes 4 theatres, a purpose-built surgical suite and additional procedure rooms, giving us capacity, we haven’t had before.” Ms. Geraghty said.

“8 additional beds will be created in a new Emergency Extended Care Unit (EECU) to be built adjacent to the ED, allowing patients who don’t need admission to be assessed and treated for up to 24 hours.”

“EECU will be co-located with a 26-bed Short Stay General Medical Unit for patients who need care longer than 24 hours, but less than 72 hours, reducing the number of transfers to the Lyell McEwin Hospital.”

“New 20-bed Palliative Care Unit will be world-class and ensure patients are cared for in a suitable environment for end of life care, with improvements to include access to private garden areas and more natural light.” Ms. Geraghty said.

“Each component of the project will be progressively delivered so the hospital to continue to safely deliver services throughout the redevelopment.”

“There will be some disruptions and we thank staff, patients and visitors for their understanding while works are carried out.” Ms. Geraghty said.

Major highlights of the redevelopment include:

• Expansion of the surgical floor to allow for more surgeries
• Development of a 4-bed High Dependency Unit
• 8 additional beds created in an Extended Emergency Care Unit
• Co-locating the EECU with an upgraded 26 bed Short Stay General Medical Unit
• A new purpose-built 20-bed Palliative Care Unit to ensure patients are cared for in a suitable environment
• Relocating the Outpatients Department to allow more streamlined access in a more efficient location
• Updating the façade to modern standards.

Minister Wade said a key part of the upgrade is the reestablishment of a High Dependency Unit (HDU) at Modbury Hospital.

“An expert working group, led by independent clinicians, is developing a model for a four-bed HDU at Modbury Hospital that will allow patients with complex needs to be treated locally, reducing the number of transfers to the Lyell McEwin Hospital.” Minister Wade said.

Entire project will be completed in phases and is due for completion in late 2021.