Michelle Daw, Yorke Peninsula Country Times
After months of anticipation, the long-awaited Yorke Peninsula health services inquiry report has been released.
Its 16 recommendations include upgrading services at Wallaroo Hospital and developing emergency departments at Yorketown and Maitland Hospitals.
The Economic and Finance Committee, which led the review, tabled the Inquiry into Delivery of Health Services on the Yorke Peninsula report in the South Australian Parliament on Wednesday, September 17.
Other recommendations include expanding volunteer ambulance crews, introducing community-based mental health practitioners, and providing hospital support for emergency department mental health presentations.
Proposals also cover changes to the Patient Assistance Transport Scheme to increase subsidies and make it easier to access, along with measures to attract and retain doctors, nurses and allied health staff.
Narungga MP Fraser Ellis said he was disappointed by the “underwhelming” language used in the report.
“Ultimately, there are far too many recommendations that the Government ‘consider’ or ‘investigate’ certain actions that arise out of the evidence,” Mr Ellis said.
“This is obviously tricky political language designed to give the government cover to weasel out of their obligations to our community.
“The absolute weight of the overwhelming evidence showing that we need desperate investment in our regional health system should be listened to — not the political speak recommendations.”
Mr Ellis said he had written to Health Minister Chris Picton urging him to adopt the substance of the recommendations in full.
It is expected the SA Government will give its formal response to the inquiry report at the next sitting week of SA Parliament, from October 14.
Mr Ellis urged YP residents and stakeholders to read the report.
Health inquiry urges Wallaroo upgrade, new EDs for Yorketown and Maitland
“We should give the government the chance to adopt these recommendations but there is an election just around the corner and that’s the best time to put pressure on politicians,” he said.
“I will do my darndest to make sure both major parties have major improvements to our public hospitals on their agenda.”
The inquiry was triggered by a petition launched by Mr Ellis in October 2022, which recorded more than 10,000 signatures — enough to trigger a formal investigation and report to the SA Government for action.
The EFC began its inquiry in November 2024 with four terms of reference: the most appropriate classification of Wallaroo Hospital; Local Health Network coverage of Port Pirie Hospital; factors impacting the delivery of health services on YP, especially in relation to access and equity; and any other matter relating to health services on YP.
The committee received 86 submissions and conducted two hearings in Adelaide and one each at Yorketown and Wallaroo with 28 individuals and 12 organisations and stakeholders giving oral evidence, earlier this year.
The report notes that Yorke Peninsula has one of the largest regional populations in the state outside of metropolitan Adelaide with just over 30,000 people.
A submission by Barunga West, Copper Coast and Yorke Peninsula councils states YP is one of the few regional areas expected to grow at or near the statewide average over the next 20 years, with projected growth of 17.5 per cent by 2041.
The councils’ submission also states Tourism SA figures show half a million people visited YP in 2023, and the mining project at Ardrossan is expected to be operational within the next few years, drawing more people to the region.
Foreword
In the report’s foreword, EFC presiding member, Giles MP Eddie Hughes said one of the petition requests was to review the classification of Wallaroo Hospital as the primary hospital on YP.
Mr Hughes said most services at the hospital were resourced at level 2 or 3, with several submissions and witnesses calling for upgrades, particularly in the emergency department.
“It was also highlighted that some specialist services, such as a radiology, were not available at Wallaroo on a 24/7 basis,” Mr Hughes wrote.
“Representatives from the (Yorke and Northern) Local Health Network told the committee that the plan was to establish Wallaroo as part of a triangular hub alongside hospitals in Port Pirie and Clare, with similar levels of service delivery,” Mr Hughes said.
He also acknowledged there was a lack of personnel across the region, including doctors, nurses and allied health professionals.
“The Committee heard that incentives are needed to attract staff to the Yorke Peninsula, while also addressing workload and safety concerns amongst existing staff,” Mr Hughes wrote.
“Distance on the Yorke Peninsula was raised as a significant issue during the inquiry, with many people choosing or needing to travel to Adelaide for treatment.”
Mr Hughes also noted that many specialist services were limited on YP, including mental health services, antenatal and postnatal care, and palliative care.
To download a copy of the report go to: tinyurl.com/bdx9ced8.
Report recommendations
The Economic and Finance Committee’s 16 recommendations to the South Australian Government are:
- Consider investment to upgrade services at Wallaroo Hospital, including increase in the number of beds and 24/7 on site radiology services.
- Maintain Port Pirie Hospital within the Yorke and Northern Local Health Network.
- Investigate options for development of emergency department facilities at Yorketown and Maitland Hospitals.
- Call on the federal government to explore incentives for GPs to join or establish medical practices on the Yorke Peninsula.
- Investigate methods for supporting the maintenance and possible expansion of the YNLHN’s Rural Doctor Program.
- Explore incentives for early career nurses and metropolitan-based nurses to relocate and work in the YNLHN, such as subsidised accommodation.
- Consider development of further training opportunities for nursing and allied health staff to increase specialist knowledge amongst health staff on YP.
- Examine possible increases in subsidies provided by the Patient Assistance Transport Scheme, as well as decreasing the complexity of applying for subsidies via the scheme.
- Explore possible changes to the Patient Assistance Transport Scheme to take into account continuity of care.
- Explore options for expansion of volunteer ambulance crews in the region.
- Call on the federal government to investigate investment in communitybased mental health practitioners and wellbeing hubs on YP.
- Investigate investment in mental health support in hospitals to assist with mental health presentations at emergency departments.
- Explore options for safety upgrades at hospitals to help protect staff and patients.
- Consider the establishment of Child and Family Health Services across YP, particularly in towns in southern YP.
- Investigate options for expanding palliative care services on YP.
- Explore options for community support for digital health and telehealth services.
This article appeared in Yorke Peninsula Country Times, 23 September 2025.
