SOUTH Australia will spend more than $250 million on upgrading hospitals but questions remain about key services.
THE government has confirmed it will proceed with plans to close the Repatriation General Hospital in Adelaide’s south, despite community protests.
Health Minister Jack Snelling says $159 million will be spent on a new 55-bed rehabilitation centre at the nearby Flinders Medical Centre. New rehab beds will also open at the Modbury and Queen Elizabeth hospitals, he said on Wednesday. It’s not yet known where the Repat’s palliative care services will be relocated to. SA’s Salaried Medical Officers Association said hospitals would struggle to absorb the extra load. “There are real concerns that the shift of some 300 beds over to various sites haven’t all been yet determined,” spokeswoman Bernadette Mulholland told ABC TV. “There are also a significant component of outpatient services being provided at that site. It is as yet an unknown as to where these services will go.” Mr Snelling announced on Tuesday the government had abandoned plans to close Noarlunga Hospital’s emergency department. He also backed down on a proposal to cease providing neonatal services at Flinders, saying the government had listened to community protests. Opposition Leader Steven Marshall said the government had undertaken a “sham consultation”.