Column - Sunday Mail - Rebuilding RAH

7 Feb 2010 - Rebuilding RAH the only healthy option

A BILLION dollars could do a lot to improve the health system in SA. It could, for example, restore services at Modbury Hospital and grow mental health services at Glenside.

It so happens that $1 billion is the difference in price between building a new hospital on the railway yards and redeveloping the Royal Adelaide Hospital on its current site.

The RAH has been in the same spot on North Tce, although varying greatly in appearance, since 1840. It replaced a very ill-equipped Colonial infirmary (with a leaky roof and no kitchen or toilet) that had serviced the bustling colony since settlement.

I share a special affection for the RAH with many South Australians. It has had a long and venerable history that is well worth maintaining. It is a centre for medical research, and is internationally recognised and esteemed.

So when Mike Rann announced plans for the construction of a new hospital, originally known as the “Marj”, now labelled by some the RYH or the “Railyard Hospital”, there was a chorus of concern from both the medical and wider community.

Those serious about improving health services in SA knew that, with an election approaching, Mr Rann wanted to give the impression that Labor suddenly had a plan for health after eight years of neglect.

The evidence of this neglect can be seen in the extraordinary diminishing of Modbury Hospital just outside of my electorate. It seems that since being elected the State Labor Government is intent on turning Modbury into an oversized GP clinic instead of retaining or even expanding the services provided.

While demand for health services increases, Modbury has had paediatric and maternity services, obstetrics, intensive care and cancer services cut.

And next on the chopping block is emergency services which may have to be suspended due to lack of staffing. This is not a joke; if you happened to live next door to Modbury Hospital and suffered a heart attack, your ambulance would have to take you the extra distance to the Lyell McEwin Hospital in Elizabeth Vale. With a cash injection from the $1 billion saved by redeveloping the RAH, services at Modbury Hospital could be restored.

Equally concerning is the State Government's plans to redevelop Glenside Hospital, SA's only acute mental health facility, turning it into a film hub and shopping centre. While I have the greatest respect for the work done by the SA Film Corporation, taxpayers' funds should be put towards expanding hospitals and health services first.

Mental health is one area in particular that has been hidden or neglected by governments for decades to the great detriment of our society.

Demand for mental health services far outweighs supply, and Glenside needs more resources to expand and improve. Similarly, the open spaces surrounding Glenside, such as the oval and nature reserve, should remain open for use by the community. Too many urban parks and ovals are slated for development, making it harder to simply get outside and go to the park.

Dividing up the grounds of Glenside Hospital for construction projects would be a crying shame, and I know local residents are very concerned about the effect it will have on the area. Modbury and Glenside are the tip of the iceberg. There are dozens of other hospitals and health services statewide that could benefit from some of the $1 billion that would be saved if the RAH was redeveloped on its current site instead of building a new hospital.

If the State Labor Government is re- elected, 170 years of history at the RAH will go out the window. And while a new hospital will be built, existing services will continue to suffer from funding and staffing shortages that seem to plague the system. While we will also have a new home for the SA Film Corporation and a new shopping centre, mental health services at Glenside will be diminished and the oval and reserve will be lost forever.

Democracy is all about listening to the people. I hope that the six weeks to the election will see a real debate about the future of the RAH, Modbury Hospital and Glenside Hospital. Whomever you vote for – let your local candidates know how important health is to where you finally place your vote.