With their firsthand expertise of The Queen Elizabeth Hospital and its history, Pam Venus (RN, Renal Certificate) and Jan Hooper (OAM, BA Nursing Management) took it upon themselves to create a chronology of the hospital. This labour-of-love piece, which has been in progress for over 12 years, is meant to supplement the work done by Ian L.D. Forbes in his book, The Queen Elizabeth Hospital Woodville, South Australia 1954-1994.
Additional support and research provided by historian Susan Marsden.
1994
| Date | Event | Comment |
| March | TQEH Board Chairperson: Mr Bernie Lewis. CEO: Mr Greg Bussell (contract). Resigned March 7, 1994 succeeded by Mr. Nick Hakof in February1. There were 2,300 staff employed at TQEH, Including 915 nursing and 234 medical staff2. TQEH Was instrumental in the development of ICSI (Intra-Operative Sperm Injection). Head of Reproductive Medicine Professor Colin Mathews was delighted with the result of TQEH Unit3. | In reviewing the past year [to June 1994] at The Queen Elizabeth Hospital there is no question it was a year of great change. The year saw a new State Government; the introduction of a Casemix model for funding; an Audit Commission Report; a new Chief Executive Officer; a new Director of Medical Services; a commitment to a Master Plan to develop a new hospital building and the devolution of management responsibility to Divisional Units. In addition, 1993/4 brought the end of undergraduate nurse training in hospitals, 25 years of Intensive Care at TQEH and near completion of two more floors of the Medical Sciences Building. It has been a busy, challenging and testing year4. |
| June | National Triage Scale was introduced into Australian Hospital Emergency Departments in 1993 as a means of categorizing patients into urgency groups, aiming to improve waiting times through early intervention and more efficient use of resources5. | |
| July | SA introduced comprehensive Casemix funding for all public hospitals, based on the Victorian model introduced in 19936. Casemix funding became effective on July 1. For the first time, part of each hospital’s funding was formulated on the basis of the number of and acuity of the patients it treated with incentives provided for increased efficiency7. | This was one of the significant changes in TQEH history post-1994 |
| Special Medal to mark Women’s Suffrage Centenary awarded to Miss June Cochrane, Head of School of Nursing TQEH (1962-1981), overseeing the education of thousands of SA nurses8. | ||
| August | SA Minister for Health (Dr Michael Armitage) proposed announcement of the amalgamation of TQEH and the Lyell McEwin Health Service, based on the northern region’s growing population needed with proposed relocation of TQEH resources to that area. Amalgamation steering committee was set up, for amalgamation in 19959. | This would preserve teaching hospital status for TQEH and greatly expand the provision of specialist healthcare and services in the northwest region10. |
| September | TQEH Research Centre (Medical Sciences Building) opened in September in the refurbished nurse’s home (1st original building). The Clinical Development Research Centre was officially opened by Dame Roma Mitchell September 21, 199411. | |
| October | Training of Midwives at TQEH comes to an end after 40 years of training (1954-1994). Final group have graduated. | |
| Intensive Care Unit celebrates 20 years of existence12. | ||
| November | SAHC (South Australian Health Commission) endorsed TQEH proposal for a sole renal transplant unit in SA at the hospital, ‘focusing the efforts in this [area’s] export opportunities’13. | |
| Government project on the effects of shift work undertaken. Shift work, sleep and safety collaborative project14. | ||
| Second stage of redevelopment of the Mareeba site (an annex of TQEH) was opened as first stage accommodated the Pregnancy Advisory Centre, opened in 199215. | Mareeba was annexed under TQEH 1959/60 and was used as a paediatric nursing training site for TQEH student nurses from 1960-1973-3 (paediatric surgery; boarder babies for adoption; intellectually disabled children) | |
| TQEH activity statistics (1993/4) included: 418 average available beds; 37,837 patient admissions; 91.3% bed occupancy; 248,500 outpatient visits (public only)16. | ||
| Final graduation of nurses (1993/4) signalled the end of an era of nurse training with undergraduate nurse training transitioning from teaching hospitals to the University of South Australia17. | ||
| Dr Michael Armitage (Liberal) was SA Minister for Health (December 14,1993-October 20,1997)18. |
1995
| January | TQEH a lead hospital as part of the National Demonstration Program (Federal Initiative) for 5 years with significant funding to demonstrate TQEH seamless Surgical Service. | |
| TQEH has the only male midwife in the maternity unit for SA19. | ||
| March | Cheeseman Architects were appointed to design a new psychiatric facility at TQEH (Cramond Clinic). Principal consultant Rob Cheeseman and Project Manager James Sage20. | |
| September | SA Health Commission was replaced by Department of Health, and two regions were created: Adelaide/Metropolitan, and Rural/Remote SA, with metro area subsequently divided into two separate regions21. North Western Adelaide Health Service (NWAHS) Board was incorporated, with Dr Adele Lloyd as Chair, and Greg Bussell as CEO22. NWAHS was incorporated under SA Health Commission Act 1976 and established as a result of the amalgamation of TQEH and Lyell McEwin Health Service23. | The restructuring of state health services is described in a paper by Dwyer (2004) as having ‘common themes of greater centralisation of governance with the state health authorities, along with improved accountability of individual hospitals and other services….[and that] the impetus for change has often been a political crisis, especially in respect of hospital problems.’24 |
| Rehabilitation Unit complex opened at St Margaret’s Hospital, Semaphore (provided services to the North Western region including TQEH, which closed its inpatient rehabilitation service in September 1991)25. | ||
| Surgery: Wound Healing and Injury Research Centre was established; Hospital Administration Software Solution (HASS) was implemented to improve operating theatre scheduling efficiency and reporting26. | ||
| Cost per day for inpatients of TQEH or RAH (Royal Adelaide Hospital): $525-$575.27 |
1996
| May – July | NWAHS $3.3 – $3.4 million budget overrun. Greg Bussell CEO resigned May 7,1996. Jim Birch (from Women’s and Children’s Hospital) acting CEO July 27, 1996 until November 29, 1996. Ms Tanner (Matron 1958-1981/2) died July 3,1996. | |
| September | South Australian Mental Health Services (established in 1991) ceased to exist, replaced by services based at RAH and TQEH.28 The latter was named North Western Adelaide Mental Health Service (by 1998 included North Western Adelaide Mental Health Service for Older People) with some services continuing to be provided from Glenside Hospital.29 Historic Tenterden House was demolished (despite local heritage protest and council efforts to buy and preserve it) to prepare for a carpark for the new psychiatric unit at TQEH.30 | Service agreement signed September 23, 1996 between NWAHS and SAHC for management of mental health services in western and northern areas of Adelaide. Barbara Wieland (previously Director of Nursing, Glenside Hospital) was appointed Regional Director of the Service and Prof. Sandy McFarlane, Director of Clinical Services at TQEH. Planning started for a purpose built psychiatric facility (Cramond Clinic) at TQEH campus at a cost of $5.577 million.31 |
| August | The Business and some assets of The Queen Elizabeth Hospital Quadrangle Shop were sold to the QEH Research Foundation.32 | |
| November | Special satellite link-up was trialled at TQEH bringing multidisciplinary specialist health services to people of the Tanami Desert over a 3-week period.33 | |
| The Clinical Development Research Centre (later, the Basil Hetzel Institute) Policy Committee was established to provide strategic advice for running the centre and to optimise support for research programs across TQEH. The committee was comprised of senior representatives from the two universities with which TQEH was affiliated (University of Adelaide and University of SA), Academic Heads of Departments at TQEH (Medicine, Psychiatry, and Surgery), and from Nursing, Allied Health, and the scientific community.34 | ||
| Telehealth Partners, a collaborative arrangement, was developed by the NWAHS and the Women’s and Children’s Hospital.35 | ‘NWAHS and WCH have combined their strengths and world-class achievements in the use of telehealth, telehealth information services (Internet) and other clinical information technologies. The partnership…. provides further opportunities to develop a world first – a living, clinical showcase of health information services.’36 | |
| Western Domiciliary Care celebrated 25 years of service. In 1996/7 the number of client contracts peaked at 147,773.37 | ||
| TQEH no longer recognised as a major trauma centre, causing difficulties in recruiting specialist medical staff to the Emergency Department.38 | ||
| TQEH Renal Unit’s statewide renal transplantation program was busiest (by population adjusted figures) in Australia, performing 49 transplants (1995/6)39 |
1997
| April | TQEH “bleeding it’s heart out” – uncertainty over its future have left TQEH haemorrhaging badly.”40 | |
| May | Home Care Cancer Therapy proven to be very successful. Has been made possible by improved medication.41 | |
| June | New Ultrasound Facility at TQEH opened by Minister for Health Michael Armitage.42 | |
| $5.6 million refit for Intensive Care Unit.43 | ||
| Lung Surgery revolution. TQEH Dr Maurice Peacock carried out 28 successful operations remodelling the lungs of emphysema sufferers improving breathing by 30-40%.44 | ||
| Ms Angela Kucia named SA Nurse of the year Clinical Nurse Manager – TQEH Coronary Care Unit chosen from 193 nominations across SA.45 | ||
| TQEH 1st hospital to be awarded Baby Friendly Hospital initiative. Hospital implemented all of the 10 steps to successful breastfeeding.46 | TQEH Maternity Open Day November 30, 1997 | |
| December | World’s first voice-controlled robot, Aesop (Automated Endoscopic System for optimal positioning), ‘visited’ TQEH, and was tested at the hospital by surgeons.47 | ‘Acting as a surgeon’s extra hand, Aesop acts as an assistant surgeon…’48 |
| $6.2million, 40 bed purpose-built psychiatric facility at TQEH was completed, called the Cramond Clinic in recognition of contribution to psychiatric services by Professor William Cramond.49 | Formerly opened on April 2, 1998. | |
| First NWAHS Board completed its 2 year term, and Anne Skipper succeeded by Dr Adele Lloyd as Chair. | ‘NWAHS owes a debt of gratitude [to the retiring Board Members] to their contribution to their development of a large and integrated health service for the north west metropolitan area of Adelaide and the review of the Constitution.’50 | |
| New SA Department of Human Services (DHS) was established as a super department amalgamating health, welfare, and housing, and responsible for public health, hospitals, family and community services, disability services, ageing and housing (Minister Dean Brown).51 Dean Brown (Liberal Party) was Minister for Human Services October 20,1997 – March 5, 2002.52 | ‘The creation of the Department of Human Services provides existing opportunities to further develop the concept of a network of health care providers in partnership with other agencies and general practice’.53 |
1998
| March | Minister for Human Services (Dean Brown) announced allocation of funds in capital works program for redevelopment of TQEH, with an indicative allocation of $90 million.54 | |
| Crowding of patients in ward corridors.55 | ||
| April | Cramond Clinic formerly opened April 2, 1998. Psychiatric facility on ground floor.56 | |
| $4.8 million approved for new Intensive Therapy Unit at TQEH.57 | ||
| Record number of kidney transplants at TQEH for the year. Average 58 per year, expected to be 78 by end of 1998 (was 69).58 | ||
| TQEH joint winner in Health for SA Great Awards for its laparoscopic donor nephrectomy team.59 | ||
| Following a survey by Australian Council on Healthcare Standards, NWAHS was advised that it had been awarded the full three year accreditation.60 | ||
| ‘TQEH Campus’ (that is, TQEH within NWAHS) was able to absorb the increase in activity (inpatients and accident and emergency attendances) within the 1997/8 budget allocation and had a $5.7 million overrun. Together with the 1996/7 debt of $2 million this resulted in an accumulated deficit of $7.7 million.61 |
1999
| May | Nursing reform process – May 1999. | |
| Farewell IVF (In-vitro Fertilization) pioneer Dr Colin Mathew to retire. 3,488 South Australians who exist due to his IVF programme.62 | ||
| 500 Rally against TQEH maternity cuts “keep TQEH delivering”. Motherhood rallies to “rescue” the hospital. Midwifery services plan to support TQEH.63 | ||
| Full house at hospital. Winter viruses force hospital elective surgery cuts.64 | ||
| Midwife services planned to support TQEH.65 | ||
| Tempo Health Support Services (THSS) commenced August 1999 (outstanding of soft facilities services) taken over by ISS Facilities (International Services System Facilities) in 2002 and retendered 2007. Services included ward support, cleaning, distribution i.e. Orderlies/Portering, Mail, Warehousing including Pharmacy, Stores, Clean Linen, Management, Grounds and Gardens. | Email from Steve Mann (key account Manager ISS Facility services) to Jan Hooper February 27, 2017. | |
| TQEH – CEO leaving – Mr Nick Hakof leaving 3 weeks before end of contract.66 | ||
| Breast Cancer Fighting Fund $30,000 cheque to research.67 | ||
| North West Adelaide Health Service Study (NWAHSS) began a longitudinal cohort study of chronic disease and health-related risk factors, from both self-reported and biomedically measured information, established to provide better health for people in Adelaide’s north-west. This was one of the first regions in Australia to make a comprehensive health assessment of the community.68 | The NWAHSS comprised a randomly selected sample of approximately 4,000 adults recruited during stage 1 (December 1999-July 2003). Stage 2 followed in 2004-2006, and Stage 3 2008-2010. ‘Cohort studies follow a group of people with a similar characteristic: in this case, people who lived in the study area at the time of recruitment. This study design allowed us to examine how people’s health either improves, stays the same or gets worse over time and the possible causes for this’. ‘The study is an important collaboration between government (SA Health), health services (The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Lyell McEwin Hospital, and the Institute of Medical and Veterinary Science) and academia (The University of Adelaide and the University of South Australia). The North West Adelaide Health Services Study is being conducted by experienced medical and epidemiological researchers.69 |
2000
| 4 patients receive bone marrow transplant technology used to treat rheumatoid arthritis in Australia.70 | ||
| Details unveiled for the upgrading of two major hospitals TQEH and LMHS (Lyell McEwin Health Services) TQEH – 4 stages over 9 years Stage 1 – new 200 bed inpatient facility to be completed by 2003.71 | ||
| Saving 2.2 billion lives BHI (Basil Hetzel Institute) for preventing the cause of mental retardation through iodine.72 | ||
| CEO for TQEH NWAHS advertised March 11, 2000.73 | ||
| Management of TQEH and LMHS have been separated and both hospitals have their own CEO’s.74 | ||
| New hope for liver cancer sufferers; breakthrough in liver cancer treatment. SA pioneer’s radical tumour surgery.75 | ||
| Nurses’ Home (front section) at TQEH was demolished at a cost of $1.4 million (Cordell Construction Projects, Project: Queen Elizabeth Hospital, viewed April 2015. |
2001
| TQEH now incorporated within these entities (in NWAHS): TQEH, Western Domiciliary Care Services, Western Mental Health Service, and Mental Health for Older People – Western Area. 76The North Western Adelaide Mental Health Service was split (December 2000) to create separately managed TQEH and LMHS Mental Health Divisions.77 | ||
| TQEH Redevelopment (Master Plan) announced.78 | ||
| Focus opinion on the future of TQEH – Peter Goer’s Radio Presenter and local resident ‘Hospital a Royal Shame’.79 | ||
| October | Anne Skipper, NWAHS Chair, resigned, and therefore the Board made a recommendation to dissolve the NWAHS Board and replace it with separate boards for TQEH and LMHS by mid-2002 (but this was delayed until the outcomes of the Generational Health Review were known).80 | |
| Sir Eric Neal, SA Governor, formally renamed the Clinical Development Research Centre at TQEH ‘The Basil Hetzel Institute for Medical Research’.81 Situated in the old Nurses Home Building which was the first building completed on the site for maternity patients plus nurses and doctors accommodation (1954-1959) | Professor Hetzel was inaugural Professor of Medicine at TQEH, ‘and had an exceptional career in research at both national and international level. His very generous offer to lend his name to our research institute was gratefully accepted by the hospital and led to an official opening in October 2001’.82 | |
| Construction began on new 200-bed inpatient facility (due for completion in mid-2003).83 | ‘The commencement… has been long awaited and …. is the most significant redevelopment on the hospital site in its 48 year history. We trust the completion… will signal a new beginning to the hospital’s future and be the impetus to attract and recruit a new group of enthusiastic medical and nursing staff to the hospital’.84 | |
| Fringe chef taking over hospital kitchen. Patients given taste of festival fare.85 | ||
| Super Bug hits TQEH. Hospital alert psedomonas aerugiosa.86 |
2002
| February | Major upgrade of the hospitals Diabetes Centre (next to TQEH on Woodville Road) at a cost of $100,000 was completed and opened by the Minister for Human Services, Dean Brown.87 | |
| Health Business – Jay Weatherall now Labor State MP – TQEH Research Foundation Board member “operating on the theory that health is a business opportunity”.88 | ||
| Connor and Nurses’ Education buildings were demolished, and a new car park was formed on the site of the former Nurses Accommodation. | Jan Hooper, information March 24, 2015; Tracey Bakewell (for TQEH) ‘The Queen Elizabeth Hospital Demolition, Relocation and Construction Timelines’, March 26, 2015. | |
| First stage of $37 million upgrade underway, TQEH on track (to be completed March 2003)89 | ||
| Libby Birchmore became our first Nurse Practitioner Cardiac Nursing in South Australia.90 | Noted in the Pulse June 2007 as a new way of clinical practice at TQEH with 5 Nurse Practitioner Candidates progressing to Masters of Nursing. | |
| At this time 450 beds, budget $170 million, 36,500 emergency attendances and 100% occupancy. 84,000 births since hospital opened in 1954.91 | ||
| TQEH leads in non-surgical heart procedures.92 | ||
| TQEH “reached the end of useful life”; getting ready to split from LMHS. Split 5 years after the 2 services amalgamated.93 | ||
| Reproductive Medicine to move to Women’s and Children’s Hospital.94 | ||
| Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scandal. (Purchased without all appropriate approvals).95 | ||
| Various clippings appear in regard to MRI debacle.96 | ‘In 2002 Premier Mike Rann, who had campaigned in opposition against plans to privatise the hospital, announced a massive ten-year redevelopment of TQEH’. | |
| Newspaper articles describe industrial action and pressure due to staff shortages and great strain on continual bed closures.97 | ||
| Standalone TQEH Board ceased, replaced by North Wester Adelaide Health Service (NWAHS) Board, TQEH Administration, organisational chart 2002: shows NWAHS Board and its two sub-boards i.e. TQEH and Lyell McEwin Hospital. |
2003
| Hospitals to share emergency doctors between RAH, LMH and TQEH.98 | ||
| Rare kidney transplant at TQEH. Living related donor sister to brother.99 | ||
| Mr Peter Campos “stood down” regarding management style at TQEH (NWAHS) March 8, 2003. Report indicates claims unsubstantiated so resumed March 26, 2003, but he resigned June 20, 2003.100 | ||
| Jobs at TQEH “rock solid” says Minister for Health Lea Stevens.101 | ||
| Overseas nurses recruited (65) to fix nursing crisis/shortage. “Decade to fix nursing crisis”.102 | ||
| Mendue Report – Government “sick system” – bed closures nurse shortages.103 | ||
| First InVitro Fertilization (IVF) twins born in SA born at TQEH – 25 years after first IVF baby in UK, Louise Brown. “Just look at us now” say twins.104 | ||
| TQEH 50th Jubilee Committee for 2004 was set up, chaired by Jan Hooper. The Committee collected photographs and other memorabilia from staff to display in the public and teaching areas of the hospital in 2004. She formed the TQEH Heritage Society as a subgroup of the Jubilee Planning Committee, and Robyn H=Johnston was elected Chair, but as the main focus was on 2004, apart from some further meetings the TQEH Heritage Society (TQEH H/S) lapsed until revived by Jan Hooper in 2007. | Jan Hopper, interview March 25, 2015; TQEH H/S, Heritage Society folder – email (Hooper) August 19, 2003; Minutes October 17,2003. | |
| Visit to TQEH former New York City Mayor Rudi Giuliani August 27, 2003.105 | ||
| Hospital chronic problems begin at the top. 10 years-10 CEO’s.106 | ||
| Obituary Dr. Brian Pridmore – died July 24,2003, Obstetrician who focused on delivery of care (1939-2003)107 | ||
| “No heads to roll” over MRI Scandal at TQEH.108 | ||
| Adelaide (TQEH) scientists pioneering research. World first in breast cancer care.109 | ||
| December | Department of Human Service (DHS) was split into separate health and welfare departments (Marsden, Business, charity, and sentiment Part two, p.70; DHS Annual Report 2003-4) |
2004
| January | Stage 1 Ward Block opened which included the construction of a new 200-bed inpatient facility (North-South Block), was completed at a cost of $34.7 million (SA Health, About The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, viewed April 2015) Stage 2 North East Block commenced i.e. 200 bed/chair facilities, multilevel carpark, childcare centre, bike park and water treatment plant. | ‘Stage 1 of the hospital’s redevelopment was delivered by Baulderstone team… This stage involved extensive landscape treatments [that] incorporate a variety of themed gardens, surfaces, pathways, ponds, paving, planting and artwork, serving as an integral part of the healing process’ (Australian Tenders.com, The Queen Elizabeth Hospital Redevelopment Project, April 2015). Hospital in a garden (Hospital Health Care July 2004). |
| TQEH 50th Jubilee (1954-2004) anniversary of services to SA (2004) – displays and other events arranged through the year by Jubilee Planning Committee/TQEH Heritage Society.110 | TQEH H/S – Heritage Society folder, various notices. | |
| Thanks for the greatest gift of all – kidney transplant.111 | ||
| Renal transplant team success rate among best in the world.112 | ||
| TQEH Biomedical Engineering Department received ISO – 9001-2000 Certificate – only public hospital in SA to obtain.113 | ||
| May | Maternity services were suspended at TQEH. | Last delivery May 28, 2004. Postnatal services ceased 2004/05 |
| SA Department of Health was established to support implementation of the Government’s Health Reform Agenda, replacing that part of the former Department of Human Services, responsible for health matters in SA (SRSA, GA1692 Dept of Health (agency description), viewed April 2015). | North Western Adelaide Health Service and Board (TQEH and Lyell McEwin Hospital) ceased along with all other metropolitan hospital boards. Boards of Directors dissolved June 30, 2004, by Government of SA. TQEH united with other health care providers in Central Northern Adelaide Health Service (with CNAHS Board). Government reforms to health services created three new regions: CNAHS; Children, Youth and Women’s Health Service; Southern Adelaide Health.114 | |
| August | Opened Day – designated tour of the hospital celebrating 50 years of service.115 | |
| Jubilee Ball at Entertainment Centre culminating a year of celebrations.116 |
2005
| Post natal services ceased at TQEH 2004/2005. | ||
| History making triplets via IVF at TQEH now 21 years old.117 | ||
| Premier Mike Rann and Health Minister Lea Stevens announced plans for TQEH’s $120 million second stage redevelopment, including construction of a new three-level inpatient building for maternity, surgical, oncology, and renal dialysis patients, and a 580-place car park building (Wikipedia, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Adelaide (source: “Queen Elizabeth Hospital stage 2 detailed”, ABC Online, October 11, 2005), viewed April 2015)118 Construction work on hospital redevelopment (multi storey) Stage 2 began in December (Cordell Construction projects, Project: Queen Elizabeth Hospital & Redevelopment, viewed April 2015) |
2006
| November | TQEH Child Care Centre was opened on old Tenterden House site. |
2007
| May – July | Construction and opening of North East Building (June), Water Tanks, Treatment Plant and Multi-deck car park (May), and Bicycle Park (July) | |
| June | SA Government launched plans for developing new Royal Adelaide Hospital in the city’s west end to replace existing RAH and continue to provide its services, including Renal Transplantation which will be transferred from TQEH (SA Department of Health, Annual Report 2010-11, p.44. Note Jan Hooper recalled this transfer occurring in 2010 (Jan Hooper, interview 25 March 2015). She notes a quotation from Premier Mike Ran in 1994 that TQEH ‘will continue to be the centre for excellence for renal transplantation,’ February 8, 2004, (quoted in TQEH Research Report 2003, p.48). As part of the Government’s Health Care Plan (2010-16), the new RAH, Flinders Medical Centre, and Lyell McEwin Hospital would become the State’s major adult hospitals (high level critical and complex hospital services), while TQEH, Modbury and Noarlunga Hospitals would be the three general hospitals in metropolitan Adelaide, providing services to their local communities (general medicine, and general surgery, with a focus on rehabilitation, aged care, and palliative care services). TQEH and Modbury would also be developed as high-volume elective surgery sites. | ‘We will clearly define the distribution of services to be provided at each of our hospitals to ensure we are providing the most appropriate health services for the needs of the local community. For example, in the western suburbs, where the population is aging at a faster rate than the state average, the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (TQEH) will increase its focus on services for the older population’.119 ‘The renal transplant services will transfer to the RAH (2007-08). This is in line with its role as the provider of a range of highly complex and specialised services for the whole state. Figures for the renal transplant services over the past five years indicate that only 13% of recipients are from TQEH local catchment area. Dialysis services will continue to be provided at TQEH. Before the new RAH is constructed, the entire services will move over time to the RAH (2011/2012), so thet TQEH can take on its role in catering to its local community. Renal dialysis, outpatients and low complexity inpatients remain at TQEH under Central Northern Adelaide Renal Transplantation Service (CNARTS). TQEH’s intensive care unit will be merged with its high dependency unit. In the future, patients requiring intensive care could be transferred to the new state-of-the-art Marjorie Jackson-Nelson Hospital (new RAH). TQEH will continue its strong role in cutting-edge medical research’.120 |
| TQEH “is refusing to perform certain major surgery on anyone who is obese or a smoker”. ‘In one of the first moves of its kind in Australia, the hospital has issued criteria demanding patients achieve a “healthy weight range” and quit smoking before being considered for liposuction and body recontouring treatment’.121 | ‘TQEH Surgery Director Guy Maddern said the Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Department had developed the criteria “in the hope of getting better outcomes for the patients”. Smokers and the obese were the most likely to spend months in hospital with post-surgical complications… Professor Maddern said individual doctors sometimes refused to operate on certain patients, but the Plastic Surgery Unit had taken the step of “adopting a unit policy”. This marks the first time a standard had been set for all patients to meet.122 | |
| The Queen Elizabeth Heritage Society was reformed and held inaugural meeting with Jan Hooper as Convenor (information from Jan Hooper, March 23, 2015) | ||
| Nurse Practitioners deliver a new model of care at TQEH.123 |
2008
| June | Central Northern Adelaide Health Service (CNAHS) presented its last annual report, its last with a Board of Directors due to the introduction of the Health Care Act in June 2008. CNAHS (including TQEH) was replaced by Central Adelaide Local Health Network (CALHN) which began in 2011, one of the five Local Health Networks in SA established as incorporate hospitals under the Health Care Act 2008.124 & 125 | |
| July | 2,000th kidney transplant performed. | |
| December | ‘SA Health Chief Executive Officer Dr Tony Sherbon last week referred to The Queen Elizabeth Hospital as a “laggard” when it comes to waiting lists’.126 | |
| Australian government (under Prime Minister Kevin Rudd) established National Health and Hospitals Reform Commission. Its final report (2009) made many recommendations for improving the quality performance of public hospitals.127 | ||
| Dr Jane Lomax-Smith (ALP) was SA Minister for Mental Health and Substance Abuse (July 24, 2008-March 25, 2010) (SA Parliament, Former Ministers: Jane Lomax-Smith, viewed April 2015). | ||
| Employed 2,500 staff. Recruited 40 new interns. 35,600 ED presentations, 13053 surgical procedures, 34,943 admitted, 183,154 OPD patients seen. |
2009
| The former Basil Hetzel Institute (BHI) building was demolished. The former nurse’s home and original Maternity Building, stood 55 years (1954-2009). Stage 2 of the hospital’s redevelopment costing $127 million was completed and opened by Premier Mike Rann. This included as second inpatient building, the new TQEH research building (incorporating the Basil Hetzel Institute for Medical Research), a multi-deck staff carpark, and a staff bike park and childcare centre128, Wikipedia, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Adelaide viewed April 2015. Australian tenders.com The Queen Elizabeth Hospital Redevelopment Project. NOTE: The QEH Childcare Centre opened in 2006.) Renamed ‘BHI Transitional Health Research Building’. | The Basil Hetzel Institute, a $19 million purpose-built research facility, located on Woodville Road opposite the main campus of TQEH, was opened in March by Premier Rann and Professor Basil Hetzel. ‘The building is a modern mix of laboratory and clinical research space, and its open, flexible laboratory plan has been specifically designed to enhance collaboration and interaction among researchers, and to allow for changing research space needs’ (The Basil Hetzel Institute, General, viewed April 2015). | |
| Two separate sightings of a gunman prompted a lockdown of TQEH.129 |
2010
| March | The Boiler House and a new Engineering and Building Services Workshop buildings were relocated and opened. | |
| May | Stage 2B of TQEH redevelopment began with the partial demolition of the Maternity Building in preparation for construction of Allied Health and Rehabilitation Services plus Acute Aged Care Mental Health Services (Australian Tenders.com, The Queen Elizabeth Hospital Redevelopment Project, viewed April 2015). | |
| South Australian and Northern Territory Islet Program (SANTIP) conducted its first islet transplant at TQEH with patients with Type 1 Diabetes (eight transplants were performed in 2010-2011).130 |
2011
| February | Demolition of the North and part of the South section of the Maternity Building was completed. | |
| March | Department of Health established five Local Health Networks (LHN)in SA (three metropolitan, one country and one statewide) commencing on July 1. Adelaide Health Service was restructured and became part of three LHN’s (CALHN, Southern Adelaide Local Health Network (SALHN), Northern Adelaide Local Health Network (NALHN) as incorporated hospitals under the Health Care Act 2008, and the Children’s Youth and Women’s Health Service and Country Health SA were renamed. Central Adelaide Local Health Network Incorporated was responsible for providing services and facilities at the RAH, Hampstead Rehabilitation Hospital, Glenside Hospital, TWEH, St Margaret’s Hospital, GP Plus Health Care Centres, plus primary, sub-acute, and mental health services located in the central metropolitan area.131 | ‘Under National Health Reforms all states and territories are required to establish Local Hospital Networks (called LHNs in South Australia) and establish Governing Councils. Each LHN will be made up of groups of hospitals based on geographical location or service requirements. LHNs are to be jointly funded by the Commonwealth and State/Territory Governments and accountable for their performance against national standards’.132 ‘Functions of the Agency – Central Adelaide LHN is responsible for promoting and improving the health of central metropolitan Adelaide and the broader community by providing integrated health care and hospital services. Central Adelaide LHN brings together four hospitals (Royal Adelaide Hospital [RAH] as a major tertiary facility, The Queen Elizabeth Hospital. [TQEH] as a general hospital, and our rehabilitation hospitals Hampstead Rehabilitation Hospital [HRC] and St Margaret’s Rehabilitation Hospital [SMRH], and a significant number of mental health and primary health care services. Central Adelaide LHN also governs several statewide services including SA Dental Service, SA Prison Health Service (SAPHS), SA Cancer Services (SACS), Breast Screen SA (BSSA), DonateLife SA, Biomedical Engineering, and Statewide Clinical Support Services incorporating SA Pathology, SA Medical Imaging (SAMI), SA Pharmacy, and Sterilization Services. The primary catchment for Central Adelaide LHN is the central Adelaide metropolitan region; however, a substantial number of people who access services in Central Adelaide LHN come from outside the geographic boundaries of Central Adelaide LHN including people from rural, remote, interstate, and overseas locations. The proportion of patients accessing services in Central Adelaide LHN is due to the need to access highly specialised, statewide services.133 |
| In 2010/22 financial year TQEH employed about 2,500 staff, attended to 42,000 Emergency Department presentations, performed 16,000 surgical procedures, admitted 36,000 patients, and provided outpatient serviced to 175,000 patients (SA Health, About The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, viewed April 2015) | ||
| Centrally outsourced Materials, Engineering and Building Services (facilities), Payroll, and Pharmacy Department’s. |
2012
| February | Old Boiler House demolished including chimney stack. | Remains of ‘Silveracre farm’ wall was unearthed. |
| October | A new centre of excellence for Rehabilitation and Allied Health (building) was opened at TQEH Minister for Health, Jack Snelling.134 |
Additional Information 2013-2015 Found in Documents Reviewed.
2013
| April | Stage 2B of the hospital’s redevelopment costing $162 million was completed and included a new rehabilitation building and a 20-bed Older Person’s Mental Health Unit (SA Health, About the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, viewed April 2015, http://www.sahealth.gov.au/wps/wcm/connect/public+content/sa+health+internet/health+services/hospitals+and+health+services+metropolitan+adelaide/the+queen+elizabeth+hospital/about+the+queen+elizabeth+hospital.) (April/May) The new $12 million mental health unit for older people opened and admitted its first patients (The Advertiser 22 April 2013). | ‘As Managing Contractor Hansen Yuncken was engaged to construct a number of new facilities across the existing site as part of a comprehensive modernisation of the hospital. This project was progressively delivered over a 7-year period. The multifaceted project consisted of over 20 stages of work including: – Inpatient Building including 70 ward rooms, 20-day chairs with specialist departments including renal, haematology and cytotoxic preparation. – Childcare Building – Multi-deck car park – Research Building, inclusive of administration and laboratory areas. – Several infrastructure and refurbishment projects, including substantial renewal of central services plant. – Rehabilitation and Allied Therapy Building. – Older Person’s Mental Health Unit (20 bed facility)’ (Hansen Yuncken, The Queen Elizabeth Hospital Redevelopment Stage 2, SA, c2015, viewed April 2015, http://www.hansenyuncken.com.au/products/completed-projects/health/the-queen-elizabeth-hospital-redevelopment-stage-2-sa). |
| In an attempt to curb violence in hospitals, SA laws were amended so that any person who intentionally caused harm to a health worked faced up to 25 years in prison ( The Advertiser November 10,2014). |
2014
| 8th August | Health Minister Jack Snelling opened a new surgical theatre (Keith Evans Theatre) at TQEH (Minister for Health, Jack Snelling, News release August 8,2014, viewed April 2015, http://www.premier.sa.gov.au/images/news releases/14 08August/theatre.pdf) | “The theatre offers state-of-the-art lighting and gas pendants and high-standard theatre environment for our doctors and nurses who perform on average, about 9000 procedures at The Queen Elizabeth Hospital (TQEH) every year’, Mr Snelling said. “The new theatre environment responds to the needs of technological advancements made in surgery in recent years by accommodating modern equipment and infrastructure for improved surgical process efficiencies. This is the first of six theatres planned for similar upgrades in the next two years”. Mr Snelling said the theatre was dedicated in honour of the late Keith Evans, who was the leads officer for the theatre redevelopment at TQEH prior to his sudden passing. “Keith Evans was an integral part in this upgrade and his professionalism, knowledge, skill and good humour over the 40 years he worked in our hospitals will be well remembered”, he said’ (Minister for Health, Jack Snelling, News release August 8,2014). |
| Report of escalating violence in hospital Emergency Departments in SA. ‘The number of calls for help from The Queen Elizabeth Hospital jumped 36 per cent, from 661 to 900 reported incidents last financial year, as drunk, drugged, and mentally ill patients threatened the safety of staff, despite new assault laws doctors say have failed to increase safety’ (The Advertiser 10 November 2014, viewed April 2015) http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/push-for-adelaide-hospitals-to-treat-violent-patients-under-guard-in-medical-lockuos/story-fni6uo1m-1227118832939). |
2015
| February | Central and Northern Adelaide Renal and Transplantation Service (CNARTS) celebrated 50 years since first kidney transplant, in 1964 at TQEH, and a plaque was unveiled at RAH CNARTS. ‘To date, CNARTS has performed 2541 kidney transplants since 1964, performing between 85-110 transplant operations per year’ (InCentral, March 2015, p.3) | |
| March | More than 150 residents attended a meeting at St Margaret’s Church (Port Road) arranged by former Charles Sturt Mayor Kirsten Alexander to hear a panel of medical professionals and community leaders discuss the Government’s proposed health reforms to scale back emergency services at TQEH to non-critical care. TQEH would also become the state centre for brain and spinal injury rehabilitation. More than 2,700 western suburbs residents also signed a protest petition (Weekly Times Messenger March 5, 2015). | ‘The State Government will downgrade The Queen Elizabeth Hospital’s emergency department despite protests…’ (The Advertiser March 18, 2015). |
All references available on request.
Collated and written by Pam Venus and Jan Hooper, CALHN Health Museum Volunteers. Assistance provided by Kellie Branson and Anna Grigoriev, CALHN Health Museum Staff