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First Glimpse at New Mental Health Facility as 2025 Winter Demand Plan Unveiled
A new 24-bed mental health rehabilitation facility in Adelaide’s western suburbs is nearing completion, coinciding with the State Government’s release of the 2025 Winter Demand Plan, which aims to increase capacity throughout the healthcare system.
Situated on Woodville Road, directly across from the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH), the AU\50 million development seeks to improve patient services while easing pressure on QEH resources.
A preview of one of the soon-to-be-finished patient rooms coincides with the unveiling of the Winter Demand Plan 2025, which includes additional hospital beds, more paramedics, and extra treatment bays in emergency departments.
This mental health unit is part of a broader AU\124 million capital works project, set to deliver 72 new mental health rehabilitation beds across Adelaide. Slated to open later this year, the facility will augment acute mental health services at the QEH, streamline emergency department processes, and reduce the time complex patients spend in acute mental health beds.
So far this year, the QEH has recorded a 28% rise in mental health presentations compared to the same period in 2024.
Designed to offer a homely, supportive environment, the new unit will include 24 private bedrooms with ensuites, access to outdoor areas, therapy rooms, and recreation spaces. Staff and individuals with lived experience contributed to the design, ensuring longer-stay rehabilitation supports patients in building independence and community connections while still receiving essential care.
By lessening the duration of acute-care bed stays and providing a therapeutic space, the service model aims to improve outcomes for people undergoing mental health treatment.
2025 Winter Demand Plan
The Government’s Winter Demand Plan lays out strategies to manage increased hospital usage during peak periods, focusing on easing burdens on emergency departments by directing non-urgent cases toward alternative care options such as expanded community nursing and virtual care services.
Key measures include:
- Enhanced Clinical Assessment for Triple Zero (000)
Increasing paramedic-led telephone assessment capacity in July to help direct patients to more suitable care options, if appropriate. - Over 160 New Hospital Beds
Recent and upcoming expansions include a 24-bed transitional care service at the Pullman Hotel in the CBD, 12 acute surgical beds at Lyell McEwin Hospital, 24 medical and surgical beds at the QEH, and 48 general medical and mental health beds at Noarlunga Hospital. - Additional Treatment Bays and Paramedics
Twenty-one new emergency department treatment bays, 35 extra paramedics, and six new ambulance officers will be added by mid-2025. - Vaccination Drive
Ongoing campaigns to encourage flu vaccinations—especially for vulnerable populations—alongside other immunisation efforts.
These initiatives aim to improve patient flow and free up ambulance availability. Currently, 257 aged care patients are occupying metro hospital beds awaiting federal aged care placements—an increase from 155 at this time last year. In addition, hospitals saw a 25% uptick in long-stay patients in February compared to 2024, equivalent to 114 more beds in use.
Nevertheless, over the past six months, ambulances have spent 2,024 fewer hours on the ramp than in the same timeframe last year. In February, total ramping time outside metro hospitals dropped to 3,981 hours—a 28% reduction since July.
The Winter Demand Plan 2025 is available on the SA Health website (external link), where full ramping data and a hospital-by-hospital breakdown can also be found.
Quotes
Chris Picton
“It’s fantastic to see our new 24-bed mental health rehabilitation unit for the western suburbs coming together. It will enable more specialised support for people dealing with mental health challenges and free up hospital beds for others.
“Our Winter Demand Plan highlights practical measures, such as adding beds and steering non-urgent cases away from emergency departments. We’re dedicated to building a stronger healthcare system for South Australians—unlike the previous Liberal government, which failed to invest in health services and cut nursing positions.”
Department for Health and Wellbeing Chief Executive Officer Dr Robyn Lawrence
“Our hospitals operate under constant demand, but winter typically brings even higher patient volumes. This can translate into extended wait times, difficulties accessing available beds, and longer stays for those with complex needs.
“Last year brought unprecedented challenges, including surges in respiratory illnesses such as influenza, COVID-19, and RSV. We’re already seeing elevated levels of influenza and whooping cough compared to the same period in 2024, and we expect further increases. To counter this, we’ll be promoting vaccination programs for influenza and the RSV maternal and infant protection program ahead of winter.”
