We would like to acknowledge and thank Angela Bayldon for her outstanding contribution in the development of this book, and for her dedicated commitment to researching the history of St Andrew’s Hospital. Angela has done this in her own time, and her passion has resulted in us having a much greater understanding of our history. Appropriately, she has become our ‘Honorary Historian’.
Thank you, Angela.
Cover: Photograph of Waverley House ca 1875. State Library Photographic Collection: B56810.
Page 4: Photograph of St Andrew’s Hospital main entrance 2016
Page 6: Photograph of Sister Janet Hay, World War I Pictorial Honour Roll of South Australians. Compiler: Jones, Faithe. h p://www.ww1sa.gravesecrets.net
Page 6: Photograph of St Andrew’s original operating theatre dated 1936, from Not for Ourselves, Page 22 (see reference below)
Page 2 & 7: Photograph of St Andrew’s Hospital dated 22nd April 1937. The car is a Dodge. State Library Photographic Collection: B7035.
Page 10: Photograph of former Chairman Albert Denzil Hill, from Not for Ourselves, Page 26 (see reference below)
Page 11: Photograph of Matron Selma Doreen Cameron, from Not for Ourselves, Page 24 (see reference below)
Page 11: “The telephone rings ….”, Harold McGregor in Not for Ourselves, Page 38 (see reference below)
Page 14: Photograph of St Andrew’s Private Hospital dated 1965. State Library Photographic Collection: B16124.
Page 21: Photograph of St Andrew’s Medical Centre 2014
R M Gibbs – Not for Ourselves – a History of St Andrew’s Hospital, Adelaide, South Australia (Copyright St Andrew’s Hospital Inc. 1994). Published by Peacock Publications, 38 Sydenham Road, Norwood, South Australia 5067.
Introduction
Dr Livingstone once said, “I am prepared to go anywhere, provided it be forward”.
If any organisation is to stand the test of time, “going forward” must surely underpin its ethos. In the life of St Andrew’s, this is certainly the case, and there have been many chapters over our 80 years. However, one thing has remained constant: our values. Along with other fundamental values, it is our steadfast belief in providing the best medical care, complemented by excellent customer service, that has helped us to stand out from the rest.
This book has been compiled out of a desire to re ect upon and celebrate our success, and to ensure it is documented for generations to come. As we look back over the years and re ect with a smile upon the “olden days”, actors in the yet unwri en book of St Andrew’s will do the same. What is now state-of-the-art, will one day be outdated. Livingstone had a point!
As a proud South Australian organisation, we have ourished in our great state, thanks largely to the people that have shaped who we are today. Our board of governors, chief executives, executive, managers and sta , both medical and non-medical, have steered us to safely navigate what have at times been rough seas. On behalf of those before me, I thank them all most sincerely.
In 2016, we enter a new chapter of great development that certainly resonates with Livingstone’s “moving forward” sentiments. Were the famous explorer to cast his eye over St Andrew’s today, I believe he would regard the roads well travelled and our future exciting and full of opportunity.
Stephen Walker Chief Executive O cer
Medical and surgical excellence.
St Andrew’s will be known as the best private hospital in Australia, with a culture where relationships ma er.
Values
We care, we create, we deliver.
We will achieve this by creating an environment that promotes:
- quality healthcare supported by exemplary customer service
- best-practice patient care and support
- partnerships with patients, carers and consumers that facilitate a service responsive to their needs
- a positive culture based on teamwork that allows us to a ract and retain the best sta
- sound business and nancial practices to maintain a stable base for sustainable growth
- a strong a liation with the Uniting Church and its agencies
- innovation and creativity in all of our pursuits
- the use of up-to-date facilities and equipment.
1930s
1936: St Andrew’s Hospital opens
The original St Andrew’s Hospital was founded by Sister Janet Hay. A daughter of Sco ish immigrants, Janet was born in Harrogate in the Adelaide Hills on 12th April 1884.
Janet trained as a nurse at Miss Lawrence’s Private Hospital (now Wake eld Street Hospital). During WWI she enlisted as a sta nurse in the Australian Army Nursing Service and served in Salonika, Greece where she contracted malaria. In 1919 she returned to Australia and was discharged as medically un t.
In May 1934 Janet purchased a block of vacant land in South Terrace, Adelaide at a cost of £1,170. She then applied to the town clerk of the City of Adelaide for permission to build a single-storey private hospital of 16 beds. Local residents objected and the council refused her application. Undaunted, she resubmi ed her plans.
A er a two-year struggle, the council nally accepted her application. The plan was approved in 1936 and the licence was issued towards the end of that year.
The new St Andrew’s Hospital opened at the end of 1936, with Sister Hay serving as the hospital’s owner and rst matron from 1936 to 1946.
It was the vision of Sister Janet Hay to build a modern private hospital in South Australia that would be second to none.
EXTRACT FROM ADELAIDE ADVERTISER, 15TH DECEMBER 1936 (FULL ARTICLE ON PAGE 7)
South Australia in the 1930s
When St Andrew’s Hospital opened in 1936, South Australia already had a number of public and private hospitals.
The state’s rst hospital had been the Colonial In rmary. With just three iron beds, it was ill-constructed and poorly ventilated. It had no nurses, no fuel, no candles and no water.
By 1841 the rst Adelaide Hospital opened with accommodation for 30 patients. At this time, however, anaesthesia was not yet available and there were no trained nurses.
Adelaide’s Lunatic Asylum opened in 1852, and by 1856 the Central Block and West Wing of the new Adelaide Hospital were completed. Parkside Lunatic Asylum opened in 1870.
SA’s rst private hospital, Wake eld Street Hospital, was founded in 1883. This was followed by Calvary North Adelaide Hospital in 1900, Memorial Hospital in 1920 and the original Ashford Private Hospital in 1935.
Sister Janet Hay
Commitment to excellence
New Private Hospital - Modern Equipment for Medical Service
(Adelaide Advertiser, 15th December 1936)
With the opening on South Terrace of the new St Andrew’s Private Hospital something entirely new in medical services has been introduced to Adelaide. Sister Hay, to whose instructions St Andrew’s has been built, was determined to provide private hospital facilities second to none in the State. And with that end in view she has combined at St Andrew’s her own ideas, together with plans for equipment modelled on that of famous institutions in other parts of the world.
Situated in quiet and restful surroundings, facing the peaceful parklands, free from the noise of tra c, and yet less than a minute’s walk from a main city tramway line, the rst appeal to the visitor to St Andrew’s is the calm atmosphere.
An astonishing feature of St Andrew’s Hospital is the operating theatre, incorporating the most modern equipment possible. Beautiful jade green tiling gives the theatre a character far removed from the general idea of such a room, and the all-electric equipment has been described by a leading Adelaide surgeon as being the most up-todate yet seen in this city.
The layout and facilities of the theatre have also been the subject of high praise from distinguished medical men. Above all, St Andrew’s Private Hospital emphasises the personal touch in the thought given by Sister Hay to every li le detail.
1936: South Australia celebrated its centenary of foundation The mid-1930s were di cult times, as South Australia struggled to recover from the Great Depression of 1929 to 1934. Unemployment was high and many families were living well below the poverty line. Despite these challenges, in 1936 the state celebrated its centenary of European se lement with a year-long program of events, including parades and sporting events.
St Andrew’s Hospital, 1937.
“People are treated di erently here. We are all individuals, but we are part of a family where we all focus on delivering a high standard of patient care.”
DI LANE – RETIRED (2015) RISK AND RESOURCE MANAGER
“It is such a privilege to be serving God through hospital chaplaincy. It is a privilege to be part of the St Andrew’s healthcare team and know that this role is greatly valued by both sta and patients.”
REVEREND PETER MOREL
1940s
Hospital sold to South Australia’s Presbyterian Church
At the start of the 1940s St Andrew’s Hospital was in excellent condition. In addition to Janet Hay as matron, the sta included a night matron, nine nurses and six domestics. Standards were high and several of Adelaide’s best-known doctors and surgeons referred their patients to the hospital.
Over the next few years, however, the hospital began to face an acute nursing shortage. The rising costs of foodstu s and medical supplies brought further di culties. To make things worse, by 1946 Sister Hay was in failing health. Faced with these challenges, she decided to sell the hospital. It was bought by the Presbyterian Church of South Australia on 20th December 1946, with possession arranged for January 1st 1947. For the next 30 years the hospital became known as St Andrew’s Presbyterian Hospital.
The hospital’s new board of governors was soon formed. Its rst meeting was held in July 1947 with Albert Denzil Hill as chairman, a position he held until the end of 1960. During his time as chairman Mr Hill was known for his untiring e orts, his personal concern for the hospital sta and his continuous promotion to the presbyterian and wider communities of the merits of St Andrew’s Hospital.
With Sister Hay’s retirement, Sister Pearl Jacobs took over the role of matron in 1947. Like her predecessor, Sister Jacobs was widely recognised for her commitment to the hospital. There are reports of her shouldering extra work for four weeks during a period in 1951 when the hospital’s cook was on leave and no relieving cook could be found. When she retired in 1956, her long and industrious service—and her position as rst matron during the Board’s administration—ensured her place in the hospital’s history.
The St Andrew’s Hospital Women’s Auxiliary was also founded in 1947. Over the next 55 years the auxiliary was to play a vital role in supporting the hospital’s various fundraising activities. The commitment of its members was well documented.
Even train stoppages and gas rationing and a day of bad weather could not deter nearly 40 women from 12 churches attending an Auxiliary meeting in Adelaide in July 1948.
1940s: dominated by World War II
The early-to-mid 1940s in South Australia were dominated by World War II, which lasted from 1939 to 1945. The war brought signi cant political, social and economic change.
For South Australia’s hospitals, the mid-to-late 1940s also brought challenges.
By 1946 all of Adelaide’s private hospitals were facing the problem of the shortage of trained nurses. Acknowledging the situation, Thomas Playford, South Australia’s Premier, stated: “No private hospital was making a pro t”.
Former Chairman Albert Denzil Hill
1950s
Focus on expansion
From the time that the Presbyterian Church bought St Andrew’s Hospital the major focus of the board of governors became expansion. Between 1951 and 1952, the board launched a public appeal for funds to build a substantial modern hospital. By 1955 plans had been drawn up for a self-contained hospital of 90 to 100 beds, and three years later the plans were amended to include a four-storey building. At an estimated cost of £500,000, this was a grand vision.
The foundation stone was laid by South Australia’s Governor Sir Robert George on 22nd November 1959. Building on the vision of its founder, Sister Janet Hay, the board was commi ed to building an expanded hospital that would be second to none in South Australia. It was emphasised that patients of all denominations, and a large proportion of country patients, would be accepted.
The board’s commitment to excellence was matched by the hospital’s sta . In 1956 Matron Pearl Jacobs retired. She was succeeded by Matron Selma Doreen Cameron, who was to hold the role until 1966. Matron Cameron quickly made her mark. Despite an acute shortage of nurses and sisters, her ability to keep beds full became a feature of her administration. She jealously guarded the admissions book and was not afraid to squeeze an extra bed into a space.
The telephone rings more or less continuously. Matron loves to answer the telephone and take these bookings - Harold McGregor in Not for Ourselves - Page 38
Matron Cameron understood that the hospital’s relationship with the medical profession was vital, and—with doctors bent on obtaining beds for their patients—it was a relationship she carefully cultivated. Her boldness and ability to get things done also won her much respect. She was resourceful in promoting the hospital’s interests and was commi ed to the highest standards in patient care.
The hospital is the concern of everybody and if enough people contribute, it (St Andrew’s Hospital) could be one of the finest in the state. DENZIL HILL IN NOT FOR OURSELVES – PAGE 18
1950s: years of economic growth
During the 1950s Australia experienced full employment and good living standards. By the end of the decade Australia’s population had reached 10 million.
In 1953 Port Pirie was proclaimed as South Australia’s rst provincial city. Two years later Adelaide Airport opened at West Beach and the satellite city of Elizabeth was o cially proclaimed. The Queen Elizabeth Hospital opened in Woodville South in 1954. This was followed by Burnside War Memorial Hospital in 1956 and the Lyell McEwin Hospital, which opened as a small country hospital, in 1959.
STEPHEN WALKER – CEO
“David Livingstone once said, ‘I’ll go anywhere as long as it’s forward’, and that very much sums up our ethos. As a leading private hospital, our goal is to be at the forefront of innovation and technology.”
DARREN FOREMAN – UROLOGIST
“Patients regularly compliment the outstanding care and respect they receive while being treated at St Andrew’s Hospital. This compassionate ethos underpins the hospital’s reputation as Adelaide’s leading private hospital and is why I choose to bring patients here.”
1960s
New St Andrew’s Hospital opens
The new St Andrew’s Hospital opened in October 1961, and by January 1962 the rst three oors were open. The following year work began on converting the fourth oor to patient accommodation. Work also began on a nurses’ home to accommodate about 50 nurses. With these initiatives the hospital could at last make use of its full facilities. Apart from patient rooms there were surgical areas and an x-ray suite—the rst to be incorporated into a South Australian hospital.
By 1964 St Andrew’s Hospital was facing the future with con dence. Bed occupancy levels were high, and once again the board of governors began to talk of expansion. In 1967 tenders were called for the building of the Women’s Auxiliary Wing at the Gilles Street end of the building. Named in recognition of the work of the Women’s Auxiliary, the wing opened in 1968. By the end of that year the hospital had 174 beds, a pathology suite, three operating theatres and an additional cystoscopy theatre available for use as a fourth theatre.
Throughout the 1960s St Andrew’s Hospital continued to bene t from the determined endeavours of its board and sta . From 1961 to 1962 the hospital manager was A R Glen. The role was taken over in 1962 by Donald Marshall OBE, who held the position until 1982. During
his 20 years as manager, Donald was renowned for his e ciency, a ention to detail and his unswerving e orts to expand the hospital’s services. In 1961 Harold W McGregor was appointed as board chairman. This appointment came at a time of formidable nancial challenges, with the hospital embarking on its plan to build a new hospital at a signi cant debt. Despite these challenges, Harold worked tirelessly to raise the required funds and he was sure in his convictions that St Andrew’s was a worthy public cause.
In 1966 Matron Cameron retired. The following year she was succeeded by Matron Be e R Reints, the hospital’s rst married matron, who was to hold the role until 1971.
St Andrew’s Hospital will be the finest Private Hospital yet built in the Commonwealth.
1964: purchase of Waverley House
In 1964 the hospital’s board decided to purchase neighbouring Waverley House. This building was originally built as a private residence for prominent businessman and pastoralist William Sanders. Built by James McGeorge at a cost of £2,560, it was completed in 1865.
Since its purchase in 1964 Waverley House has been used by the hospital for various functions, including the St Andrew’s Hospital Nurses’ Training School.
1970s
In good shape
From its beginning, St Andrew’s Hospital had earned a reputation as a leader of South Australian private hospitals.
In June 1977 the hospital entered a new phase of its history, due to the formation of Australia’s Uniting Church. The hospital’s constitution was consequently amended, with all power being vested in the hospital’s board of governors. The hospital’s name was also changed, with the word “Presbyterian” being deleted. From this time, the hospital has been known simply as St Andrew’s Hospital.
During the 1970s the hospital was fortunate to have board members and hospital sta who continued with their predecessors’ commitment to excellence. In 1971 Albert Ernest Harvey replaced Harold McGregor as board chairman, a role he held until his death in 1977. During his years as chairman Albert was renowned for his good humour, his concern for the hospital’s progress and his wise judgement, especially in nancial a airs.
With Albert’s passing, the position of board chairman was taken up by Dr George T Gibson. George became a board member in 1959, and his appointment to chairman in 1977 brought a further medical opinion to guide the hospital’s development plans. Although he retired as chairman in December 1985, he continued as a board member until 1987, bringing an end to more than 28 years of outstanding service. The Gibson association with St Andrew’s Hospital was also cemented through the continuing work of Dr Gibson’s wife, Gwendoline, as president of the Women’s Auxiliary.
Following the resignation of Matron Marsh (formerly Matron Reints), Miss Joan E Pitcher was appointed in 1972. Miss Pitcher was renowned for her high level of nursing skills and it was reported at one time that a board chairman, when suddenly stricken by a dangerous illness, had been saved by her perception and a entiveness. When she resigned in 1989 Miss Pitcher became the longest serving director of nursing in the hospital’s history.
St Andrew’s Hospital in South
Terrace is the best example I have seen of what a private hospital should be....It is of reasonable size, extremely well equipped and its theatre and X-Ray facilities are superb. We regard it as model of its kind.
P D HUGHES – CANBERRA DOCTOR, ADELAIDE ADVERTISER, SEPTEMBER 1969
South Australia in the 1970s
The 1970s commenced in South Australia with Don Dunstan’s Labor Party winning government.
North Eastern Community Hospital was established in 1973.
In 1976 5AA began broadcasting and Adelaide’s Rundle Mall opened.
By 1977 late-night shopping had commenced in Adelaide city and suburbs.
By 1977 Modbury Hospital opened in Adelaide’s north east and Flinders Medical Centre opened in the southern suburbs.
“My roles rst as a member of the board of governors, then as a director of the hospital’s foundation and now as a volunteer in the co ee shop, have allowed me to observe closely the wonderful spirit that exists at all levels within the hospital.”
MARY WITHERS – PAST DIRECTOR, BOARD OF GOVERNORS, PAST FOUNDATION CHAIR AND CURRENT VOLUNTEER
Foundation
Prior to the St Andrew’s Hospital Foundation Inc, the vast majority of philanthropic activity at the hospital was managed by the Women’s Auxiliary. Founded in 1947, the auxiliary ran multiple branches across Adelaide. The 1940s was a largely male-dominated society, and the auxiliary provided a way for women to be active participants in the community. Organising a number of highly successful fundraising events and fetes, the auxiliary provided many a highlight on the local calendar, a racting much of Adelaide’s elite. The group provided signi cant nancial support to the hospital, and in 1968 the “Women’s Auxiliary Wing” was named to recognise their contribution. Sadly, in 2002 the auxiliary ceased to operate due to the age and health of the group.
The St Andrew’s Hospital Foundation was founded on St Andrew’s Day 2000 with one of Australia’s “national living treasures”, Dr Basil Hetzel AC, as its inaugural patron. As was the case with the auxiliary before it, the principal objective of the foundation is to provide St Andrew’s Hospital with nancial support. The funds enable the hospital to maintain state-of-the-art equipment and facilities, provide specialised sta education and training and to foster research activities.
In 1993, the Volunteer Service was established. The hundreds of volunteers who have given tirelessly to the foundation embody the hospital’s mo o, “Not for ourselves”, having contributed to many aspects of hospital life. The volunteers’ tea trolley will be remembered by many as part of a bygone era.
Since its inception, the foundation has donated over $2.7million to the hospital, with perhaps its most recognised contribution being the funding of a da Vinci surgical robot largely through the generous donation of Mr Gordon Pickard AM.
In the 80th year of the hospital, the foundation celebrates its 16th year. With over 80 volunteers, managing the St Andrew’s Hospital co ee shop (with proceeds supporting the foundation) and assisting patients to their rooms, the group continue to make a signi cant impact on the lives of others and in raising funds for the foundation.
The mission of the foundation remains unchanged: to raise funds for the hospital through its fundraising initiatives, including the annual equipment campaign, donations from the public, fundraising events and its bequest program. The hospital makes a signi cant di erence to the lives of its patients, and the foundation continues to provide an avenue for those that wish to support it.
The foundation was commenced in November 2000 as a result of a resolution of the hospital’s board of governors to serve as a support for the hospital through the accumulation of bequests, gi s, donations and fundraising.
In his speech on the occasion of the foundation’s launch, inaugural patron Dr Basil Hetzel AC urged guests to support the foundation, “in the spirit of St Andrew, that great sher of men, I invite you all to be a part of the future of a hospital which aims to serve the people of this state”.
The long-term objective was, and still is, to endow the hospital for future generations.
Volunteers Valerie Turnbull and Shirley Pearce.
1980s
A decade of change
By the 1980s the “new” St Andrew’s Hospital was beginning to show signs of wear. In particular, the operating theatres were becoming unable to cope with higher turnovers and shorter hospital stays. In response to these pressures, the board gave approval for the building of a new theatre suite, comprising six theatres and their supporting facilities. Construction began in 1980.
Over the coming decade the focus was on restoring the hospital to rst-class condition. The old theatre suite was converted into a day-patient ward and the hospital began to move away from its institutional appearance. Wards were painted, rooms were refurbished and air-conditioning was installed. Improvements were also made to clinical areas. In 1983 a nine-bed high-dependency unit was established. Two years later, Adelaide Radiotherapy Centre opened its original centre at the front of the hospital. 1985 also saw the establishment of an on-site angiography suite by Dr Jones and Partners Medical Imaging.
In 1988 the coach-house at the rear of Waverley House was developed into what is now the St Andrew’s Hospital Chapel. It was dedicated in February 1989. Other changes also took place during this period. In 1984 the hospital successfully undertook its rst accreditation survey. Since that time the hospital has remained fully accredited, an achievement that re ects the ongoing commitment to high-standard patient care. As in previous decades, the hospital also looked to expand. In April 1985 the hospital purchased the 64-bed Abergeldie Hospital in Glen Osmond, Adelaide. It was owned by St Andrew’s Hospital until 1995.
During the 1980s the hospital also experienced sta changes. In 1982 Donald Marshall retired from the position of hospital manager. He was replaced initially by B J Baldwin and then by Colin B Cruickshank, who held the role from 1982 to 1985. By the mid 1980s, however, the role of hospital manager had given way to that of chief executive o cer (CEO). Craig Hall was appointed as the hospital’s rst CEO in 1985, a position he was to hold until 2001. With a degree in accountancy and a diploma in health administration, Craig was able to implement change and establish an administration that was suited to the needs of a complex organisation.
At board level, Murray R Aitken was appointed as chairman in 1986 following the resignation of Dr George Gibson. He held this position until 1996. In 1989 the role of director of nursing was taken over by Clare Johansson. One of her initial tasks was to manage the closure of St Andrew’s School of Nursing. The school had been open since 1961, but was now no longer nancially viable. It saw its last intake of student nurses in February 1989 and was o cially closed in 1992.
The 1980s had been years of signi cant change for St Andrew’s Hospital, and as the decade came to a close Sister Janet Hay’s “old hospital” had been completely demolished, signalling the end of the rst chapter of its history.
South Australia in the 1980s
By 1984 Adelaide’s population had reached a milestone 1 million.
In 1985 Noarlunga Hospital was established as a regional community health service.
In 1986 South Australia celebrated its jubilee (150th) anniversary.
Adelaide’s Women’s and Children’s Hospital was created in 1989 through the amalgamation of the Queen Victoria Hospital and the Adelaide Children’s Hospital.
1990s
Technological and capital advancement heralds a new era
As in previous decades, the 1990s were dominated by expansion of facilities and the introduction of a range of new services. Not least was the construction of the hospital’s new central wing. Work commenced in 1992 and the new wing was o cially opened in November 1993. Apart from additional patient rooms, the wing allowed for a new admissions area and co ee shop. By 1993 the hospital was well equipped and at all levels of the organisation there was a focus on excellence.
With the central wing now complete, it may have been tempting for the hospital to pause before embarking on further developments. But this was not to be. A strategic planning team had been formed in 1992 and it was not long before new projects were underway. During 1993 a decision was made for volunteers to participate in the hospital’s activities. A new volunteer coordinator position was also created. In 1994 Waverley House was restored, with a group of vascular surgeons se ing up practice in the building. The following year the hospital’s high-dependency unit (HDU) was upgraded to an intensive care unit (ICU).
1996 saw the opening of the St Andrew’s Hospital emergency department. That same year the hospital bought Adelaide’s East Terrace Private Hospital. This allowed the chemotherapy day unit to be relocated, releasing six extra overnight beds back to the hospital. The East Terrace chemotherapy suite (renamed the St Andrew’s Medical Centre) was o cially opened on 7th March 1997.
During the mid-to-late 1900s the hospital continued to see rapid changes. In 1997 Hospital Pharmacy Services (HPS) commenced the supply of pharmaceuticals to the hospital. The following year St Andrew’s Hospital Angiography Suite was o cially opened. 1998 also saw the opening of the St Andrew’s Hospital Breast Clinic. Originally located on the hospital’s rst oor, it was the rst breast-diagnostic clinic to be operated by a private hospital in South Australia.
In 1997 Margaret Khaw was appointed as director of nursing (DON) following the resignation of Clare Johansson. During her time as DON, Margaret worked tirelessly for the hospital, implementing major restructuring and new directions for the nursing sta . Margaret retired in 1999, with Jane Pickering taking over the role. 1997 also saw a change in the position of chairman, with Murray Aitken resigning and Robert Conway (Bob) Kidman taking up the role.
In 1994 St Andrew’s Hospital had become the largest of South Australia’s private hospitals. On a national scale it prided itself among the best. EXTRACT
South Australia in the 1990s
In 1991 the Adelaide Crows entered the AFL, followed by Port Power in 1997.
The Australian Grand Prix was held in Adelaide for the last time in 1995.
Adelaide Football Club won consecutive AFL premierships in 1997-1998
South Australia’s rst Tour Down Under was held in 1999.
Flinders Private Hospital was built in 1999.
2000s
Philanthropy and new partnerships
The new decade opened with the establishment of St Andrew’s Hospital Foundation. It was o cially launched on St Andrew’s Day, 30th November 2000. The start of the 2000s also ushered in a number of sta changes. In 2001 Craig Hall resigned from the position of Chief Executive O cer and Stephen Walker was appointed to the position. At the board level, Bob Kidman resigned as Chairman in June 2002, with Dr Ian Gould taking up the role from August that year. Also in 2002, Jane Pickering resigned as Director of Nursing and in 2003 was replaced by Lorri Bruun.
Other changes were also taking place. August 2004 saw the opening of the hospital’s on-site pharmacy service, operated by Hospital Pharmacy Services (HPS). August 2004 also saw the introduction of Adelaide Intensive Care Services (AICS) to the hospital’s Critical Care Unit.
The following year the upgraded St Andrew’s Breast Centre was opened. The original breast clinic had been built in 1998 and was located on the hospital’s rst oor. Between May 1999 and August 2005, over 6,500 clients had been assessed in the clinic, but it was now proving to be too small. The new upgraded St Andrew’s Hospital Breast Centre was o cially opened in October 2005.
In 2006 the hospital’s board of governors approved the purchase of a new Siemens angiography suite. This major upgrade allowed the hospital to continue its long tradition as a centre of cardiac excellence.
Several new ventures began at St Andrew’s Hospital in 2009. Fertility SA opened its new on-site fertility unit, sta ed by the most prominent and experienced fertility specialists in South Australia. That same year, an on-site laboratory and collection centre was established by Clinpath Pathology. Outside the hospital walls, the community garden area was also being revitalised through the e orts of volunteers from the Secateurs Community Gardening Group.
By 2010 the hospital’s new theatre development was completed, bringing the total to nine theatres, 15 recovery beds, a theatre reception and a new patient holding area. 2010 also saw St Andrew’s Hospital win the Australian Private Hospitals Association National Clinical Excellence Award. This award recognises a private hospital that has excelled in the provision of clinical treatment and has demonstrated excellence in patient care across the entire hospital.
St Andrew’s Hospital treats more women with breast disease than any other South Australian hospital or clinic and offers breast cancer patients a full range of surgical, radiotherapeutic and chemotherapeutic services.
DR P MALYCHA, ST ANDREW’S NEWS, ISSUE 17, OCTOBER 2005
South Australia in the 2000s
2001 - 20-year-old South Australia’s Lleyton Hewi became the youngest player ever to achieve world number one tennis ranking.
2003The Transcontinental railway line from Adelaide to Darwin was completed.
2004 - Port Adelaide Football Club won its rst AFL premiership.
2005 - Nine people died in bush res on the Eyre Peninsula.
2010 - Mary MacKillop was declared to be a saint of the Roman Catholic Church.
2011 - On 30th June South Australia’s estimated resident population was 1.64 million.
2012 - US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton visited Adelaide.
2014 - Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, conducted their rst o cial tour of Australia with their son Prince George.
2010 to 2016
Cardiac excellence, the St Andrew’s Medical Centre and ‘the’ robots
As in previous decades, the 2010s ushered in a number of exciting new projects. In September 2011 the new University of Adelaide / St Andrew’s Hospital Clinical Education Hub was o cially opened. This program provides education opportunities to 6th-year medical students, with the focus on providing students with a platform to understand disease processes and observe diverse interventions including interventional cardiology and surgery. In April 2011 the St Andrew’s Hospital Cardiac Unit opened on the hospital’s 3rd oor, further enhancing the hospital’s commitment to become a centre of cardiac excellence.
The following year, work commenced on St Andrew’s Medical Centre on the corner of Hu Street and South Terrace, Adelaide. Over the years, St Andrew’s Hospital has o ered high-quality oncology services for patients with cancer. Treatment was initially provided on the hospital’s 3rd oor, before relocating in the late 1990s to the East Terrace facility. In 2012 the St Andrew’s Medical Centre added a new dimension to this service, with the building now providing a state-ofthe-art chemotherapy suite, pharmacy, pathology laboratories and specialist consulting rooms.
In 2012 Dr Ian Gould resigned as Chairman of the hospital’s board and was replaced by Ken Williams. During his time as Chairman, Dr Gould presided over some signi cant developments, which are still regarded as some of the best in the state, and indeed Australia. Of particular note is: the Angiography Co-ownership agreement with Adelaide Cardiology, which was the rst of its kind in Australia; the introduction of Fertility SA; the new St Andrew’s Medical Centre; and the new Breast Centre. During his tenure, he and his fellow board members oversaw the expansion of the number of operating theatres to a total of 9.
In March 2013 the hospital installed a da Vinci surgical robot, and in October 2013 St Andrew’s embarked on a partnership with South Australia’s State Government to provide robotic surgery for public patients. 2013 also saw the introduction of the hospital’s overnight Sleep Study service, which operates in association with Genesis SleepCare. The integration of a sleep medicine service at St Andrew’s Hospital provides rapid access to diagnosis, consultation and treatment pathways for patients with conditions such as sleep apnoea. This is particularly relevant and bene cial for cardiac patients.
In 2014 Fertility SA expanded its service at St Andrew’s Hospital with the construction of new facilities, including an embryology laboratory and transfer rooms. That year, the St Andrew’s Hospital co ee shop underwent extensive renovations. 2014 also saw the introduction of the hospital’s Consumer Reference Group (CRG), which allows for consumer participation in hospital issues.
In March 2015 St Andrew’s Hospital installed a new $3.3 million da Vinci Xi surgical robot, giving South Australian patients access to state-of-the-art surgical care. The purchase of the new equipment—which replaces an earlier model installed in 2013—was made possible by a generous donation from leading Adelaide businessman and philanthropist Mr Gordon Pickard AM.
In 2014 Lorri Bruun retired from the position of director of nursing. During her time in this role, Lorri made an outstanding contribution to the hospital’s success. In 2015 the position was taken over by Jacquie Wiley.
St Andrew’s Medical Centre, 2014.
St Andrew’s Hospital in 2016
Celebrating 80 years of St Andrew’s Hospital
When Sister Hay founded the original St Andrew’s Hospital in 1936 it was her vision to build a modern private hospital that would be second to none. Over the past 80 years this vision has been upheld. If Sister Hay was to see St Andrew’s Hospital today she would nd the bricks and mortar unrecognisable. But despite these changes, the hospital has retained many of her original values.
Today, the hospital o ers a comprehensive range of medical and surgical services. The St Andrew’s Medical Centre provides state-of-the-art cancer treatment services, while the development of the hospital’s Cardiac Centre of Excellence allows for a range of innovative cardio-thoracic services.
Through a partnership with the State Government, St Andrew’s Hospital currently provides South Australia’s only robotic surgery, catering for both public and private patients across the state.
In 2016 St Andrew’s Hospital is one of Australia’s leading private hospitals. It is one of only a select few private hospitals to have successfully maintained full accreditation with the Australian Council on Healthcare Standards since its inception in the early 1980s. St Andrew’s Hospital is also one of the only private hospitals in SA that has its own independent research and ethics commi ee. The hospital regards research as an important aspect of total, professional health care and considers high-quality research as imperative in continually improving outcomes for patients.
The hospital is also recognised as a key provider of clinical education. Since 2011 the University of Adelaide / St Andrew’s Hospital Clinical Education Hub has been providing education opportunities for 6th-year medical students. While similar partnerships exist interstate, St Andrew’s Hospital is the rst private hospital to be involved in such a scheme in South Australia.
The St Andrew’s Hospital Graduate Nurse Program is also unique, and has been extremely successful. One hundred and sixty four new nurses were welcomed into the program between its inception in 2001 and October 2015. The graduates have the opportunity to work across a number of clinical areas and are invited to participate in special learning opportunities, such as study days, in-service sessions and tailored workshops.
Underpinning its various clinical achievements, St Andrew’s Hospital acknowledges that its greatest asset is its sta . Since the opening of the original hospital 80 years ago, St Andrew’s has been distinguished by sta at all levels of the organisation who have worked tirelessly for the hospital and have maintained the commitment to excellence in patient care.
Reflecting on our core values—we care, we create, we deliver—I cannot help but be proud of what we have achieved at St Andrew’s Hospital. STEPHEN WALKER, CEO, ST ANDREW’S NEWS, ISSUE 25, SEPTEMBER 2011
South Australia in 2016
St Andrew’s Hospital celebrates its 80th birthday and is a signi cant employer in the state, with over 600 sta .
The Adelaide Symphony Orchestra and the Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia both celebrate their 80th birthdays.
The $50 million Eastern Clinical Development begins in April and is due for completion in October 2017.
A er a closely fought federal election, the Coalition are re-elected.
The Adelaide Festival Centre’s $90 million upgrade is approved.
Australia’s Head of State, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, celebrates her 90th birthday and is Britain’s longest reigning monarch. She sent a ‘tweet’ to thank the public for their birthday wishes.
The future
What does the future hold? What will they be writing about St Andrew’s in another 80 years’ time? If nothing else, it will be wri en with the same pride and sense of achievement felt in compiling this book.
Re ecting upon the many triumphs of St Andrew’s, it is all too easy to relate its successes to only the physical. We have state-of-the-art facilities, world-class technology and indeed, plans are already in place for future development. However, it is also undeniable that those before us had vision, passion and enormous strength of character to ensure St Andrew’s actually became what it is today.
The Eastern Clinical Development will provide for generations to come and includes a new 35-bed day surgery facility containing two theatres, three procedure rooms, two angiography suites and 28-bed cardiology unit. When complete, the new development will boost our bed numbers to 217 (all being private rooms with ensuite) and increase the number of operating theatres from nine to 11. This project will consolidate the position of St Andrew’s Hospital as one of Australia’s premier private hospitals. We are also extremely proud to announce that St Andrew’s will soon be performing neurosurgery, resulting in us o ering every major surgical speciality.
In 2016 and with clear strategic direction from our board and executive, the hospital is thriving. The hospital now has its own human resources division, and was approved by ReturnToWorkSA as a self-insured employer earlier this year. Best Practice Australia have recently undertaken a signi cant satisfaction survey of our sta and visiting medical o cers, who rate us as being at the very top of the scale when compared to our peers. International guests from the healthcare sector are frequently welcomed, who visit our hospital to see rsthand the “St Andrew’s way” of doing things. Our executive team is involved in a range of activities across Australia (including surveying of other healthcare organisations, international conference presentations and in advisory roles), rea rming that our leaders are some of the best.
Over the last 80 years, St Andrew’s has become a pre-eminent private hospital, recognised both nationally and internationally for its achievements, reputation and commitment to providing medical and surgical excellence to the people of South Australia. It is with great delight that we now pave the way for the next 80 years. There can be li le doubt there will be more triumphs, medical rsts and cu ing-edge technology as we continue to o er the absolute best healthcare to our community.
Eastern Clinical Development. Corner Gilles Street and St John Lane. (Artist Impression)
