Flinders Medical Centre Paediatric Emergency Department Relocation

We worked closely with the Southern Adelaide Local Health Network and team members to deliver the new Paediatric Emergency and Short Stay Unit at the Flinders Medical Centre.

The paediatric emergency ward urgently needed expansion and renovation to address outdated facilities and accommodate the growing demand. The design challenge focused not only on functional improvements but also on creating a comforting and child-friendly environment where sick children could feel safe, secure, and cared for.

Building on the existing "underwater" theme in the ward, the design aimed to make the transition to the new space seamless and familiar for patients and their families. The staff wanted to continue this calming theme as it provided a comforting and non-threatening atmosphere. The nurse station, the heart of the emergency ward, became the "yellow submarine," visible from multiple vantage points, including the entrance, corridors, waiting areas, and bed bays. This fun yet soothing visual centrepiece serves as a gentle distraction for children and families during stressful moments.

To ensure the design meets current and future needs, extensive consultation was carried out with healthcare professionals, consumers, Aboriginal communities, and executive stakeholders. The input shaped not only the physical design but also long-term operational considerations such as efficiency, clinical effectiveness, and safety.

This highly successful project was designed and constructed during the height of Covid restrictions and within a very short timeframe to enhance health system capacity.