South Australian government knock back philanthropist's offer to buy life-saving machines after baby deaths

The South Australian government has knocked back businessman Gordon Pickard's offer to pay $5 million for life-saving paediatric cardiac machines not available in the state.

Four babies recently died in a four-week period at Adelaide's Women's and Children's hospital, sparking an ongoing investigation.

The state government declined Mr Pickard's offer, saying the issue was not money but about making sure the hospital had the staff with the necessary skills.

READ MORE: Parents plead for Adelaide hospital upgrade after deaths

Mr Pickard's niece Jodie, who has suffered the tragedy of a stillbirth herself, said she knew the pain the four families who had lost children were going through.

"We don't even know right this moment if there's a baby that's about to have a problem, and we can help them in this situation, so it's very urgent," she said.

Babies and young children requiring heart surgery have to fly to other capital cities like Melbourne – obviously more difficult during the current pandemic.

9News understands the decision to not transfer interstate the babies who died was made by clinicians at the Women's and Children's Hospital.

9News has been told the question of why that happened would form part of SA Health's investigation.

An independent external review of the deaths is also underway.

But the opposition said action had to be taken now, not in four weeks when the review concluded.