Royal Adelaide Hospital: Open For Business?

is the new royal adelaide hospital open

The Royal Adelaide Hospital (RAH) is South Australia's flagship hospital, providing a comprehensive range of complex clinical care to an estimated 85,000 inpatients and 400,000 outpatients annually. The new RAH, located in Adelaide's west end, was opened to patients in September 2017. It is one of Australia's most technologically advanced healthcare facilities, integrating the latest innovations in health, education, and research to deliver world-class care. With a focus on environmentally sustainable practices, the new RAH features extensive green spaces, natural lighting, and a commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Characteristics Values
Location North side of North Terrace and west of Morphett Street, Adelaide, South Australia
Year of Construction 2011-2017
Cost of Construction Over AUD 2 billion
Size 10 hectares (25 acres)
Number of Beds 800
Green Star Rating 4
Annual Inpatients 85,000
Annual Outpatients 400,000
Services Medical, Surgical, Emergency, Acute Mental Health, Outpatient, Diagnostic, etc.
Features Largest automated microbiology system in the southern hemisphere, Automated Pharmacy Distribution System, etc.

shunhospital

The new Royal Adelaide Hospital opened in 2017

The new Royal Adelaide Hospital is committed to environmentally sustainable building practices and is designed to achieve a 50% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared to equivalent hospitals. The building makes use of waste heat from energy generators for domestic hot water and optimises natural light to reduce artificial lighting requirements. The site incorporates a total of 3.8 hectares of landscaped environment, including over 70 courtyards and sky gardens across 9 levels, creating a 1.6-hectare footprint of green space within the hospital.

The hospital features state-of-the-art facilities, including one of the biggest Automated Pharmacy Distribution Systems in the nation and the largest automated microbiology system in the southern hemisphere. The RAH is also the only provider of hyperbaric oxygen therapy in South Australia. The hospital is designed to ensure seamless patient flow, with related services located in close proximity and connected by 'hot lifts', enabling critical areas to be reached in under two minutes.

The new Royal Adelaide Hospital is structurally impressive, spanning the equivalent of three city blocks and costing over A$2 billion, making it the most expensive hospital built in Australia. The hospital provides 100% single inpatient rooms with opening windows, natural light, and access to outdoor areas, creating a healing environment with enhanced privacy, comfort, and infection control.

shunhospital

It is South Australia's largest hospital

The Royal Adelaide Hospital (RAH) is South Australia's largest hospital, owned by the state government as part of Australia's public healthcare system. The RAH provides tertiary healthcare services for South Australia and secondary care clinical services to residents of Adelaide's central metropolitan area, including the inner suburbs. The original Adelaide Hospital was built in 1840 at the eastern end of North Terrace, Adelaide, with its first building superseded in 1856 and many alterations and additions over the following 175 years. The hospital was officially proclaimed "Royal" on 2 November 1939 and was, at that time, the largest general hospital in Australia. The new Royal Adelaide Hospital, located on a 10-hectare former railyards site within the Adelaide Park Lands, started construction in 2011, costing over A$2 billion, making it the most expensive hospital built in Australia. The new hospital was completed in 2017 and is the state's flagship hospital, providing a comprehensive range of complex clinical care to an estimated 85,000 inpatients and 400,000 outpatients each year. The RAH is committed to environmentally sustainable building practices and has a Green Star rating of 4. The hospital spans the equivalent of three city blocks and includes almost four hectares of landscaped parks and internal green space, with over 70 courtyards, terraces, and sky gardens. The RAH is also the only provider of hyperbaric oxygen therapy in South Australia, with its Hyperbaric Medical Unit (HMU) opening in 1985.

shunhospital

The hospital has 800 beds

The new Royal Adelaide Hospital (RAH) is South Australia's flagship hospital, providing a comprehensive range of complex clinical care to an estimated 85,000 inpatients and 400,000 outpatients annually. The hospital has 800 beds, including 100 same-day beds, and is one of the most advanced healthcare facilities in Australia. The RAH is committed to environmentally sustainable building practices, achieving a Green Star rating of 4. The hospital spans almost four hectares of landscaped parks and internal green space, with a strong focus on natural light and the environment.

The RAH is designed to ensure seamless patient flow, with related services located in close proximity. The hospital features a helipad and 'hot lifts', enabling critical services to be reached in under two minutes. It is also home to one of the biggest Automated Pharmacy Distribution Systems in the nation and the largest automated microbiology system in the southern hemisphere. The RAH is a 'super-site' for major emergencies and serves as the complex multi-trauma destination for the state.

The hospital is structurally impressive, spanning the equivalent of three city blocks. It is located on a former railyards site within the Adelaide Park Lands, taking over 6 years to construct from 2011 to completion in 2017. The new RAH cost over A$2 billion, making it the most expensive hospital built in Australia and the second most expensive in the world.

The RAH provides 100% single inpatient rooms with opening windows, natural light, and access to outdoor areas and green space. The site incorporates a total of 3.8 hectares of landscaped environment, including over 70 internal courtyards and sky gardens across 9 levels. This extensive green space allows for physical movement, exercise, public gatherings, and intimate private moments. The hospital's design also includes a commercial precinct, featuring a creche, mini-mart, restaurant, cafes, and a gymnasium.

Explore related products

shunhospital

It is committed to environmentally sustainable building practices

The new Royal Adelaide Hospital (RAH) is Australia's most advanced hospital and the single largest infrastructure project in South Australia's history. It is committed to environmentally sustainable building practices, with a Green Star rating of 4. The hospital was designed to achieve a 50% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared to equivalent hospitals.

A co-generation system uses waste heat from energy generators for the domestic hot water system. The orientation of the buildings minimises solar thermal loads, and extensive daylight penetration reduces artificial lighting requirements. Rainwater and stormwater harvesting offset potable water requirements, along with water-sensitive landscaping and a water-efficient thermal plant.

The RAH is South Australia's flagship hospital, providing a comprehensive range of complex clinical care to an estimated 85,000 inpatients and 400,000 outpatients annually. It has 800 beds, including 100 same-day beds, and 100% single inpatient rooms with opening windows, natural light, and access to outdoor areas and green space. The hospital spans the equivalent of three city blocks and features almost four hectares of landscaped parks and internal green space, including over 70 courtyards, terraces, and sky gardens.

The design of the RAH ensures a seamless flow of patients through the hospital, with related services located in close proximity. The hospital is also engineered to withstand major earthquakes and extreme weather events and can operate for 48 hours if completely cut off from external services.

shunhospital

The hospital is equipped to handle major emergencies

The new Royal Adelaide Hospital (RAH) is South Australia's flagship hospital, providing a comprehensive range of the most complex clinical care to an estimated 85,000 inpatients and 400,000 outpatients each year. The RAH is equipped to handle major emergencies with its Emergency Department (ED), which is one of the largest and most advanced in Australia, seeing more than 75,000 patients annually.

The RAH intensive care unit is one of the major education and training providers for intensive care medicine in Australia and New Zealand. The hospital offers a comprehensive accredited training program to doctors and nurses seeking advanced training in critical care. The Critical Care Registered Nurse pathway supports postgraduate qualified registered nurses in extending their clinical and professional practice, leading to advanced roles such as Access Nurse (Team Leader) and Medical Emergency Response Team member.

The RAH ICU nursing education facilitates placements for registered nurses from metropolitan, regional, and international health service organisations, seeking intensive care unit exposure. The hospital collaborates with all three South Australian universities for postgraduate studies in critical care. The in-service education program is delivered Monday to Friday, with several sessions each day addressing the learning needs of both junior and senior staff.

The RAH is committed to environmentally sustainable building practices and has a Green Star rating of 4. The hospital was designed to achieve a 50% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared to equivalent hospitals. This is achieved through initiatives such as a co-generation system that uses waste heat from energy generators for domestic hot water and optimised building orientation to minimise solar thermal loads. The RAH also incorporates extensive daylight penetration, rainwater and stormwater harvesting, water-efficient landscaping, and a thermal plant to reduce its environmental impact.

Frequently asked questions

Yes, the new Royal Adelaide Hospital (RAH) opened in September 2017.

The new RAH is located in Adelaide's west end, on the north side of North Terrace and west of Morphett Street.

The new RAH is South Australia's flagship hospital, providing world-class care with 800 beds, 100 of which are same-day beds. The hospital has a strong focus on natural light and the environment, with extensive green spaces and single inpatient rooms. It is also committed to environmentally sustainable practices, with a Green Star rating of 4.

The original Adelaide Hospital was built in 1840 and has undergone numerous alterations and additions over the years. The new RAH, which opened in 2017, is the most expensive hospital built in Australia, costing over A$2 billion.

Written by
Reviewed by
Share this post
Print
Did this article help you?

Leave a comment