Multi-million dollar development underway

Works are well underway on the $8 million upgrade of Naracoorte Hospital, which will deliver much needed new clinical and patient spaces for the community including significant improvements in Accident and Emergency.

The tender for works to the Emergency Department closed earlier this month, while some projects as part of the upgrade to the hospital are already underway or have been completed.

The Hospital’s Emergency Generator has been replaced and connected, helping ensure the hospital has an alternative source of power. The Suction Plant has also been completed, while an upgrade of pan rooms in the Schinkel Wing is currently underway.

The Accident and Emergency investment by the South Australian Government includes a state-of-the-art resuscitation room, along with three refurbished close observation bays, new consulting rooms, a patient waiting area and the refurbishment of existing utility rooms.

These upgrades will provide an improved quality of health care in the region, helping boost the overall patient experience. The hospital’s public lift will also be replaced.

South Australian Health Minister Chris Picton said the Naracoorte community deserved to have a hospital they are proud of and can provide a high quality of care.

“The current upgrades will deliver a better standard of care, closer to home, while the review into regional service delivery will evaluate how best to meet the community’s health needs into the future,” Minister Picton said.

The upgrades were developed in consultation with staff, clinicians and the community and are underway without disruption to services at the hospital. All works are expected to be completed at Naracoorte Hospital by the middle of next year.

Minister for Regional Development Claire Scriven agreed that regional South Australians deserve to have access to quality health care, which is what this Government is delivering.

“The hospital is a vital piece of health infrastructure, so we need to ensure that it provides appropriate health services for the wider region,” Minister Scriven said.

On top of this $8 million investment, a further $1 million has been allocated to investigate regional service delivery across the entire Limestone Coast Local Health Network with Member for MacKillop Nick McBride strongly advocating for that vital research into the region’s health services.

The State Government made it clear when announcing the $8 million election commitment that this would only be the first stage of a considerable investment in Naracoorte as a crucial regional health hub.

The planning funds will be separated, with $750,000 allocated to consolidating and build on previous master planning and identify infrastructure and health service priorities for further investment.

The remaining $250,000 will be dedicated to a broader regional clinical services plan, considering the implications for the delivery of services across the entire Limestone Coast. This will include considering the existing service delivery and the supporting of State and Commonwealth aged care sites.

Limestone Coast Local Health Network chief executive officer Emma Poland said early works were well progressed, and it is exciting to see the vision of staff and consumers brought to life.

“This expansion of the Accidents and Emergency department will help to ensure we are well-equipped to meet future demand – not just in Naracoorte but across the Limestone Coast.”