Macq3 plans $65 million private hospital at Mawson Lakes
Article from: The Advertiser
RUSSELL EMMERSON
October 21, 2008 12:00am
MAWSON Lakes residents will have ready access to general and maternity health services and plastic surgery as part of a proposed $65 million private hospital.
Developer Macq3 has applied to Salisbury Council to build a four-storey, 78-bed hospital in Mawson Lakes' business district.
Director Kon Andrews said support from Mawson Lakes developer Delfin Lend Lease and Salisbury Council had given the company confidence for the likely approval of the development.
"The way we have viewed it, the northern region is the fastest-growing region of Adelaide and the new infrastructure in place is very encouraging," Mr Andrews said.
"Also, the demographics of the region support the proposal, as does the uptake of private health insurance."
Mr Andrews said the company had been in discussions with several national health providers to run the hospital, but would require State Government approval to open.
State Health Minister John Hill said the Government had already had preliminary discussions with the company.
Salisbury Mayor Gillian Aldridge said the hospital, if approved by the council's development assessment panel, would offer a convenient alternative to the Lyell McEwin Hospital, which opened in 1959.
"It might be better if it was a public hospital, but all the services of doctors and specialists will be there, which will make it better for people in the area," she said.
"I would like to think they would put in an after-hours or emergency section, but I guess we will wait and see."
State president of the Australian Private Hospitals Association Stephen Walker said the facility might face significant financial challenges.
"It is a very difficult environment for private hospitals in SA from a financial perspective," he said.
"There is very little margin, so it's very difficult."
Macq3 intends the hospital to specialise in general, orthopedic, gastrointestinal and plastic surgery, and have a focus on obstetrics, gynaecology and rehabilitation.
Its 78 beds will include six neonatal special care cots.