More South Australian children requiring life-saving medical treatment will now have access to specialist care, following the completion of a $20 million expansion at Adelaide’s Women’s and Children’s Hospital.
The major upgrade to the hospital’s Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) has increased its capacity to 16 beds, adding three new intensive care beds and refurbishing an existing patient bay.
The expanded facilities are already being used by hospital staff, providing additional space and improved equipment to care for some of the state’s most critically ill children.
Hundreds of children are treated in the unit each year, with the redevelopment designed to help the hospital respond to growing demand while creating a more comfortable and practical environment for patients, families and healthcare workers.
As part of the works, new medical equipment pendants have been installed throughout the existing unit, allowing critical equipment to be positioned more effectively around patient beds. The changes are also designed to strengthen infection control and improve clinical workflows.
A new medication room has also been designed to accommodate automated dispensing technology, bringing medication storage and dispensing closer to patients and supporting safer care.
The redevelopment has introduced a larger centralised equipment storage area, improved facilities for staff and expanded recovery spaces for children following anaesthetic.
Minister Blair Boyer said the additional capacity would make an important difference for South Australian families facing medical emergencies.
“When a child needs intensive care, every bed matters, which is why this expansion is so important. These additional beds will help ensure more South Australian children can access life-saving specialist care close to home.”
Women’s and Children’s Health Network Chief Executive Officer Rebecca Graham said the upgrade would support both the children receiving treatment and the clinical teams caring for them.
“These improvements will support our teams to continue providing high-quality care for some of our most unwell children and their families, while also creating a more practical environment for the staff who care for them.”
The expansion also forms an important step towards the new Women’s and Children’s Hospital, which will include a 20-bed paediatric intensive care unit, with room for another four beds as demand increases.
In the meantime, the newly completed redevelopment means additional intensive care capacity is available at the existing hospital, supporting South Australian children and their families when they need it most.
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