Frequently Asked Questions
Will the rebuilt RAH have new buildings?
Yes. The expensive parts of the hospital have already been built new or refurbished. New wards with single rooms and ensuites will be in new buildings – most with Botanic Gardens views.
How many single rooms will the Railway Yard hospital have?
The Government proposed Railway Hospital will have 60% single rooms. Minister of Health John Hill said this to Save RAH Committee on 16 February 2009 at Hindmarsh Square Health Department offices. This is the same as the rebuilt RAH will have (already in the plans).
Will the railway marshalling yards have to be moved?
Yes. Apparently these will go to Dry Creek. The Dept of Transport is silent about whether this is a good or bad thing.
Why is the Government building a new hospital on the railway yard site?
Nobody knows for sure. There was no official review, inquiry or consultation. There was no mention of it in the Menadue Generational Health Review.
Is there enough room on the existing RAH site for new buildings?
Yes. At the Northern end and in the vacant block at North Terrace. There is more room if the old residential block and R Block would be demolished (this was part of the RAH Redevelopment Plan to build new wards).
What is the old Residential Block being used for now?
Casual accommodation for university students, ambulant patients and country visitors (at approx $10/night rent).
How many wards in the existing RAH are not being used for patient care?
Approximately 10 wards have been converted to other uses including drug research companies, storage, admin offices. Some have been left empty.
What will happen to medical research at the Frome Road/RAH precinct if the hospital is moved to the railway yards?
We don’t know. After these questions were asked by the Save The RAH Committee, the Government has said that some research facilities could be shifted from IMVS and the Hanson Institute to the new site. There are no plans to completely rebuild IMVS, Hanson Research, Medical School and Dental Services at the railway yard hospital.
Why is it so important to have the RAH co-located with IMVS, Hanson Research Institute, Medical School, Dental School, University of Adelaide and University of South Australia?
In a nutshell, co-location means better medical research, better health sciences education and all of this translates to better clinical / specialist care for patients.
What is the estimated value of assets at the existing RAH (that would be wasted if abandoned)?
The estimates are approximately $1 billion. Mark Hamilton (The Advertiser 9/12/08).
Why didn't the doctors speak out earlier?
Governance of public hospitals has been radically changed and staff no longer have a voice. Important events in the course of this are:
- Government abolished the Board of the Royal Adelaide Hospital in 2004
- The Royal Adelaide Hospital is administered by a bureacracy, South Australian Health, and by the Minister of Health, John Hill.
- The medical staff and the nursing staff of the Royal Adelaide Hospital do not have representatives in the SA health structure.
- The medical staff society has no representative in the SA health bureaucracy and has no power or voice in decision making.
- When personal representatives to the Minister failed, the Doctors formed the Save the RAH Action Group.