The emergency department at Naracoorte Hospital is being fixed to make it “fit for purpose”.

Health Minister Chris Picton says the community deserves to have a hospital they are proud of and can provide a high quality of care.

Mr Picton was part of a delegation from the Health Ministry that visited the hospital on August 7 to see the progress of $8million upgrade work supported by the government.

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

According to the minister, the upgrade would 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.

Mr Piction said the hospital’s emergency generator had been replaced and connected, helping ensure the hospital had 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 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.”

According to the ministry, the upgrades were developed in consultation with staff, clinicians, and the community and were underway without disruption to services at the hospital.

Minister for Regional Development Clare Scriven said regional South Australians deserve to have access to quality health care, which is what the government was 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,” she said.

Member for MacKillop Nick McBride said he was very pleased with the government committing $8million towards these works at Naracoorte Hospital and to see what’s been completed so far.

All works at the Naracoorte Hospital are expected to be completed in mid-2025.

This article appeared in Naracoorte Community News.