The Hon. Chris Picton, Minister for Health and Wellbeing (SA), Media Release, 25 January 2023

Patients will once again be able to access acute inpatient care at the Renmark Paringa District Hospital from 25 January 2023, as the hospital returns to business as usual following its flood response.

As flood waters continue to recede in the area, acute inpatient admissions will recommence after being suspended on 5 December 2022 as part of Riverland Mallee Coorong Local Health Network’s (RMCLHN) flood response.

Aged care residents who were relocated to other RMCLHN aged care sites as part of flood management have also returned to the hospital.

From Tuesday 6 December 2022, RMCLHN began to move our most vulnerable residents to other facilities as part of a staged and planned response to rising River Murray flood levels.

All residents have now been returned to their usual rooms.

Residents, families and staff have been kept informed throughout the event and are excited about the return to business as usual.

Quotes attributable to Chris Picton

I’m incredibly pleased that all the activities at the Renmark Paringa District Hospital have returned to business as usual, and local residents can once again receive acute inpatient services closer to their home and in their own community.

I’d like to thank our staff for all their efforts, the residents and their families for their ongoing support and understanding, and the SA Ambulance Service for the role it has played in supporting local families during this period.

It’s a wonderful outcome that aged care residents can return to their own rooms and most importantly, that they continued to receive high quality care.

Quotes attributable to Riverland Mallee Coorong Local Health Network CEO, Wayne Champion

I wish to take this opportunity to thank our residents and their families for their understanding and cooperation during this time, and Renmark Paringa District Hospital staff for going above and beyond to ensure the health, safety, wellbeing and comfort of our aged care residents was maintained at all times.

In particular, I would like to thank the nursing staff who travelled to the other aged care facilities at Loxton, Waikerie and Barmera to provide continuity of care to residents who were temporarily relocated.

I’d also like to thank the Renmark Paringa District Council for its work in upgrading and maintaining the Renmark Hospital Levee, which has helped to keep our facility and the Renmark community safe throughout the flood event.