Health services boost

MOUNT Gambier and Districts Health Service’s new $8 million Emergency Department Short Stay Unit was officially opened by South Australian Health Minister Chris Picton last week.

It marks a significant milestone for the Government’s $24 million upgrade of the hospital and means the expansion of its ED is now complete.

The Short Stay Unit is a purpose-built space that adds six hospital beds dedicated for patients who are clinically stable and expected to be safely discharged within 24 hours.

The unit will improve ED patient flow and help reduce average wait times while ensuring that patients who require immediate or emergency care can continue to be treated in a timely manner.

“The opening of Mount Gambier Hospital’s new Emergency Department Short Stay Unit is an important day for the people of the Limestone Coast,” Minister Picton said. “The Malinauskas Government has delivered a much-needed expansion of the Mount Gambier and Districts Health Service’s emergency department, but we aren’t stopping here.

“We’re also excited that progress is being made on Mount Gambier’s new Sub Acute Mental Health and Rehabilitation Service and drug and alcohol withdrawal beds.”

The Short Stay Unit is staffed by clinicians 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

It features a new staff station, accessible bathroom, consulting area and the capacity for a further three beds to be added in the future.

A new six-bed Mental Health Sub Acute and Rehabilitation Service is also being built as part of the Mount Gambier and Districts Health Service upgrade, doubling the hospital’s mental health beds, as well as a new two-bed Drug and Alcohol Unit, which will provide a medically managed drug and alcohol inpatient withdrawal service. Both are currently on track for completion in November.

A combined 14 additional beds for the hospital and the hospital’s bigger and better on-site SA Pathology service was also recently completed as part of the upgrade.

The service now includes two modern and fit-for purpose collection rooms, which are both now operational as of last month.

Project works are being managed by Mossop Construction + Interiors, which began construction last year.

In a boost to the hospital’s chemotherapy service, two new chemotherapy chairs will be added to the existing service before the end of this year, bringing the total number of chemotherapy chairs to eight.

In another boost for health services on the Limestone Coast, the Mount Gambier Ambulance Station is being upgraded and is on track to be completed by the end of the year.

As part of this upgrade, the station’s garage is being extended to house and service additional ambulances, while improvements are being delivered to its locker, storage and car parking areas.

Regional Development Minister Clare Scriven said as a local resident she knew how important these upgrades were for the local community.

“Enhancing the Emergency Department by establishing this Short Stay Unit is a great initiative, in addition to the new mental health and rehabilitation service beds and the drug and alcohol withdrawal services which are on the way.,” Minister Scriven said.

Limestone Coast Local Health Network CEO Emma Poland also welcomed the latest upgrades.

“We are dedicated to providing safe, quality, and sustainable healthcare options across our Limestone Coast communities, with a newly developed ED SSU Model of Care to be implemented at the Mount Gambier and Districts Health Service,” she said. “Upgrades to the Mount Gambier and Districts Health Service Emergency Department highlight the Limestone Coast Local Health Network’s commitment to engaging with stakeholders, staff and consumers to improve patients’ experiences.”