South Australia will build two new hospital avoidance hubs in a budget announcement to further ease pressure on hospital emergency departments.
The $2.1 million commitment was unveiled on Tuesday, ahead of the full state budget being handed down on Thursday.
The hubs will be developed in Adelaide's western and northern suburbs to provide rapid, multidisciplinary care seven days a week.
The government said the new facilities would help people receive the right care, in the right place, and ensure that hospital emergency departments were available for the most urgent cases.
"This will help more South Australians receive the care they need in a timely manner in the most suitable setting which often isn’t a hospital," Premier Peter Malinauskas said.
"The hubs will deliver rapid clinical assessment, treatment, and monitoring for patients, who may otherwise be headed to the ED or a hospital admission.
"This means that our EDs are available for the most urgent of situations."
Also on Tuesday, the government annouced a $20 million upgrade to the pediatric intensive care unit at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital.
The unit will be upgraded to allow clinical and non-clinical spaces to meet contemporary standards and provide high-quality care.
A large equipment storage area will be constructed, alongside increased storage space for the adjacent operating theatres, as well as dedicated clinical work and break spaces for clinicians.
Health Minister Chris Picton said the changes would enhance services for the sickest children to ensure they continued to receive the very best care.
"The unit does an amazing job of caring for very unwell children and this funding boost will ensure it continues to do that while work gets underway on building a bigger and better new Women’s and Children’s Hospital," Mr Picton said.
