First look at concept design of upgrade

Next step for multi-million dollar hospital upgrade

New concept images of the $24 million upgrade to the Mount Gambier and Districts Health Service have been released, which includes doubling the capacity of mental health beds and expanding the Emergency Department.

The upgrades to the Mental Health Unit include six beds and two specialised community drug and alcohol rehabilitation beds.

Detailed design works will be finalised in the coming months, with construction expected to start next year. Works are on track to be completed in mid to late-2025 and Member for Mount Gambier Troy Bell is thrilled to see the upgrade taking another significant step.

“As the Independent Member for Mount Gambier, I am delighted to see the first concept images of the upgrades to the Mount Gambier and Districts Health Service,” Mr Bell said. “Improving mental health services in Mount Gambier and the surrounding region is a huge boost to our community.”

The improvements come as Mount Gambier Hospital has boosted its workforce, welcoming 45 graduate registered nurses and four new midwives during the past 12 months.

“I am proud of what these upgrades will deliver for the community and for the increases in graduate registered nurses and midwives,” Mr Bell said. “They provide a valuable service to the community and give families the peace of mind they can birth safely close to home.”

South Australian Health Minister Chris Picton was thrilled to see the upgrade project start to take shape.

“We know the demand on emergency department, mental health and substance abuse services in Mount Gambier are growing, and hence we are delivering on our commitment to expand these important areas,” he said.

Limestone Coast Local Health Network acting chief executive officer Angela Miller was measured in her response but excited to see the upgrade progressing with the release of the concept design.

“We know there’s more to do, but seeing these concept images of the new hospital really does make these upgrades feel very real,” she said. “With a growing population in Limestone Coast, this investment will help us to continue to deliver outstanding health care for more regional South Australians.

“Our goal is that in building more world class facilities, we will attract more top-notch clinicians, allied health professionals and nurses to work in our hospitals and who will embrace a true work life balance here on the Limestone Coast.”

In further news, the Limestone Coast Local Health Network facilities are now online with the Electronic Medical Records regional roll-out as part of the $31.1 million State Government commitment to modernise country hospitals.

This is the first country Local Health Network to be completely connected to the state-wide medical records – providing better information for clinicians, easier treatment across hospitals and improved safety such as medication management.