[SWP] New Womens and Childrens Hospital

[Nort]

But the renders also show an open park & playground next to the hospital.

Do they? Not sure if I'm missing something but I can't see a new playground - unless that's what is on the triangle between the two hospitals where the WCH was originally proposed. Even so, considering that site is specifically earmarked for future expansion of the RAH I don't think it can really be considered a long-term gain of parklands.

Whilst I agree that this has largely been inaccessible land for many decades and isn't really parklands 'proper', as a regular user of Bonython Park and its playground I, like one or two others above, regard this as one of the best utlised, maintained and purposed area of true parklands and have concerns about what impact this very large development will have on it. Given the fact that the hospital is set back from Port Road, the busiest section of Bonython Park will now be bordered by a multi-storey wall. Kate Cocks Park, whilst not open to the public, adds a point of interest to the area and the kids absolutely love it. The Road Safety Centre is a fantastic asset and I also question its long-term viability and upkeep given that the administrative buildings will be removed.

That said, as a parent of two premature babies I acknowledge the huge importance of the WCH and the need to ensure it operates at maximum clinical efficiency into the future. If this truly is the best location for such a facility (and that's a fairly big if, given the West End and Coca Cola sites don't seem to have been considered) then I can begrudgingly accept the resulting impact to what is currently a lovely area of parklands and just hope that enough steps will be taken to offset the loss of amenity.

Exactly. Kate Cocks Park isn't open to walk through primarily because it's currently full of horses. In most practical ways it is part of Bonython Park, and saying it isn't just because you can't walk through it is as silly as saying that the Boat Pond isn't part of the park because you aren't allowed to go to the center of it.

[rev]

But the renders also show an open park & playground next to the hospital.

Do they? Not sure if I'm missing something but I can't see a new playground - unless that's what is on the triangle between the two hospitals where the WCH was originally proposed. Even so, considering that site is specifically earmarked for future expansion of the RAH I don't think it can really be considered a long-term gain of parklands.

Whilst I agree that this has largely been inaccessible land for many decades and isn't really parklands 'proper', as a regular user of Bonython Park and its playground I, like one or two others above, regard this as one of the best utlised, maintained and purposed area of true parklands and have concerns about what impact this very large development will have on it. Given the fact that the hospital is set back from Port Road, the busiest section of Bonython Park will now be bordered by a multi-storey wall. Kate Cocks Park, whilst not open to the public, adds a point of interest to the area and the kids absolutely love it. The Road Safety Centre is a fantastic asset and I also question its long-term viability and upkeep given that the administrative buildings will be removed.

That said, as a parent of two premature babies I acknowledge the huge importance of the WCH and the need to ensure it operates at maximum clinical efficiency into the future. If this truly is the best location for such a facility (and that's a fairly big if, given the West End and Coca Cola sites don't seem to have been considered) then I can begrudgingly accept the resulting impact to what is currently a lovely area of parklands and just hope that enough steps will be taken to offset the loss of amenity.

The point is that if there was no WCH development on the site, you'd still be unable to use that area.
A new hospital on that area, that you presently can't use, doesn't change the reality that that area is not usable by the public at present and wouldn't be for the foreseeable future.

[Nathan]

A 4 bed ICU to serve 8 patients a year that "can't really be maintained", and the need to transfer via ambulance, but hey, staff can use golf buggies over a small pedestrian bridge!

Tiny uncovered footbridge will almost connect our $5.6bn hospitals

A new footbridge over the rail lines will “connect” the $3.2bn new Women’s and Children’s Hospital with the $2.4bn Royal Adelaide Hospital — but it won’t be used to transport seriously ill patients, won’t be covered, and won’t actually connect the two hospitals.

It will be parallel to an existing footpath on Port Rd just metres away and run from a path outside the nWCH to the empty triangular block of land adjacent the RAH where the nWCH was originally going to be built.

It is expected to be used mainly by staff working between the two hospitals.

Health Minister Chris Picton confirmed it would not be enclosed and not be a flyover capable of carrying vehicles.

A key reason for the original plan of putting the nWCH right next to the RAH was so a covered walkway would allow rapid transfer of critically ill women to the RAH adult intensive care unit.

This is not in the new plan, and instead the nWCH will have its own four bed adult ICU, staffed by specialists from the RAH when needed.

WCH Alliance convener Professor Warren Jones said bridge is “not ideal” and is too far from the fastest connection route.

“I urged the Minister for it to be covered and for it to be the shortest direct route between the two hospitals — it is neither,” he said.

“But I hope people don’t get hung up on this as some kind of flashpoint because the big picture is a new hospital for the next century, not a small footbridge.

“Seriously ill women needing transfer to the RAH will go by ambulance and be moved in a matter of minutes which will be faster than walking between the hospitals, and certainly faster than this idea of having the nWCH down at the old brewery or Coke sites.

“The four bed ICU will probably only service about eight patients a year, and can’t really be maintained in a self-contained way — it will be to stabilise patients then if need be get them across to the RAH by ambulance.”

Prof Jones said staff moving between the two hospitals potentially could use golf buggies with the pedestrian bridge crossing.

“They could even use electric scooters,” he said, quipping that “if they fall off at least they will be near a hospital.”

[Spotto]

Pictures for reference, in case anybody's thinking "surely not"?

Surely yes.

[A-Town]

So despite all the investments being made to reduce ambulance ramping, we're going to still be wasting ambulance resources by transporting sick patients between hospitals only a few hundred metres apart in them?

What a mismanaged mess this is turning out to be.

[ChillyPhilly]

That is revolting. That carpark reminds me of some oversized 1939-era Third Reich-designed behemoth.

[Honey of a City]

Looks like the long demolished Osborne Power Station without the chimneys.

[Goodsy]

Needs a people mover in between the two Hospitals




also I don't understand the hate for the carpark, I loved it being on the cover of Pink Floyds "Animals"

[Llessur2002]

A) This is brilliant...

also I don't understand the hate for the carpark, I loved it being on the cover of Pink Floyds "Animals"

B) Here's the Advertiser article from today re the opening up of currently inaccessible parkland. One benefit to this project could (and should) be that the Gaol becomes much more prominent within and accessible from the parklands proper as opposed to via a side street. There could be some good outcomes from this aspect.

Adelaide Parklands in line for major upgrade under new WCH project

Parts of the “dilapidated” Adelaide Parklands either off limits or off-putting to visit will be transformed into useable space as part of the new Women’s and Children’s Hospital. See the plans.

New images show how degraded and inaccessible areas of Adelaide’s Parklands will be re-greened and opened for public use as part of the new Women’s and Children’s Hospital project.

As arguments rage over heritage issues at the police barracks site and use of Parklands for the hospital, the government has released images showing how the public will be able to enjoy areas that are now fenced off or simply unappealing.

One area off Gaol Rd by the old Adelaide Gaol is now behind razor wire fencing and a sign warning of “Danger”. It is largely bitumen and strewn with materials but will be transformed into a lush open lawn area with trees and a walking and cycling track.

Another area on the northern side of the barracks site, between the barracks and the olive groves, at present resembles a farm paddock and is behind a high fence and used for police horses and dogs.


BEFORE: Area around police barracks now fenced off and used by police horses and dogs to be turned into a playground and gardens as part of new Women's and Children's Hospital project. Picture: Supplied by State Government


AFTER: Artist’s image of area around police barracks now used by police horses and dogs to be transformed into a playground and gardens as part of new Women's and Children's Hospital project. Picture: Supplied by State Government

Under the upgrade plan, this will be transformed into a playground with gardens and be just north of the new hospital — ideal for young patients well enough to play outside as well as for families with other children who are visiting.

Health Minister Chris Picton said Adelaide Gaol would be protected and about 30,000 square metres of land surrounding the hospital site will be returned to accessible parklands, exceeding the government’s commitment to a zero net-loss of accessible parklands.

He said the new playground would be designed following other successful new nature play developments such as Morialta Mukanthi Conservation Park Playground and will be particularly important for families with siblings who spend long times at the hospital.


BEFORE: Area around Adelaide Gaol where parklands will be upgraded as part of the new Women's and Children's Hospital project. Picture: Supplied by State Government


AFTER: How the area around Adelaide Gaol may look after the parklands upgrade as part of the new Women's and Children's Hospital project. Picture: Supplied by State Government

“Parklands is not high walls, concrete carparks and razor wire that no one can get into – it’s open and accessible green space for families to use and enjoy,” Mr Picton said.

“You only have to look at the before-and-after pictures to see how dilapidated, unloved land will be transformed into new usable parkland space.

“Everyone will benefit from this significant uplift, but it’s the mothers, children and babies with a direct connection to the new hospital who will benefit most of all.

“There are thousands of families who spend lengthy periods at hospital and having open space connections and an exciting new playground development is particularly important for the wellbeing of siblings.”

From: https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/sou ... b7d466bef4

[Nathan]

The fenced off area used to have alpacas. Never knew why they shipped them off to leave a fenced off bitumen wasteland.

The promise of the playground is interesting, like they've forgotten that the area already has one of the highest patronised playgrounds in the city. I'm all for expanding that, just seems odd that it's not even mentioned.

One thing that we would be using — particularly with the location of the car park — is any chance of ever linking the parklands via a grade separated route. The only real opportunity of linking Bonython Park to Gladys Elphic Park is via some kind of easement along the train lines underneath the Port Rd bridge. The hospital and carpark would cut that off permanently.

[SBD]

Is there anywhere else available for a horse paddock near the city, or will the horses be confined to stables wherever they end up?

[rev]

Is there anywhere else available for a horse paddock near the city, or will the horses be confined to stables wherever they end up?

Park 6 in North Adelaide, it already has horses in there.

[Brucetiki]

In their latest Notes on Adelaide podcast, InDaily interviewed someone from the Parklands Preservation Society.

They didn't do their cause any favours in the pod - pretty much the usual mumbling rubbish they pedal, and some bizarre comparison to Central Park (they wouldn't build a hospital in Central Park so why should we build one in our parklands)

https://indaily.com.au/podcasts/2022/10 ... rotectors/

[Nathan]

and some bizarre comparison to Central Park (they wouldn't build a hospital in Central Park so why should we build one in our parklands)

Funnily enough, they did build a hospital in Central Park (albeit, during the Civil War).

[SBD]

and some bizarre comparison to Central Park (they wouldn't build a hospital in Central Park so why should we build one in our parklands)

Funnily enough, they did build a hospital in Central Park (albeit, during the Civil War).

There was also a field hospital in Central Park established at the end of March 2020 for COVID-19 respiratory patients.

Adelaide also had an influenza isolation hospital on the Exhibition Grounds in 1919.