The State Government says construction of the new hospital, being built on the railyard site next to the Royal Adelaide Hospital, will start later this year.

The government says the hospital will be bigger than the existing North Adelaide site. Plans include 59 extra treatment spaces, allowing for 3400 more inpatient admissions and 18,000 emergency department attendees.

The new Women’s and Children’s Hospital project director Brendan Hewitt said Lendlease had extensive experience in healthcare infrastructure.

Lendlease built the Sunshine Coast University Hospital, Queensland Children’s Hospital and the Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne.

“Lendlease has developed a strong reputation for its expertise in delivering successful major health infrastructure projects,” Hewitt said.

“The building contract involves a two-stage approach. Stage one will see us working with Lendlease to progress and finalise the design of the nWCH with clinicians, consumers and the community, and provide construction planning services and building advice.”

Women’s and Children’s Hospital chief executive Lindsay Gough said this was an “exciting new step”.

“Our hospital has a proud heritage of delivering world-class treatment to the South Australian community and we are now moving closer to creating a hospital that matches the care offered by our dedicated doctors and nurses,” Gough said.

“We will continue to work with our doctors, nurses, staff and consumers during all phases of the project to ensure we build a new hospital that is tailored to our unique needs.”

Health Minister Stephen Wade said up to 3500 jobs would be created during the build.