Plans for the upgrade the emergency department at Murray Bridge Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital have been given the stamp of approval.
Minister for Health and Wellbeing Stephen Wade said State Parliament’s Public Works Committee recently signed off on final plans for the project.
“It is great to know that this project will roll out in the coming months. The $7 million redevelopment and expansion of the hospital’s emergency department (ED) will deliver state-of-the-art health services to the people of Murray Bridge and the surrounding regions.
“The existing ED faces real challenges in terms of meeting the increased emergency demand in the Murray Bridge region,” Minister Wade said.
“The approval of the ED upgrade plans is another key step towards fulfilling our pledge to provide world-class health care to the Murray Bridge community and demonstrates our broader commitment to boosting health services in our regions.
“The new, purpose-built ED will be more than twice the size of the existing ED and provide high quality and efficient health care services that directly align to the needs of patients.”
Member for Hammond Adrian Pederick said it was exciting to see the project moving forward after extensive consultation with clinicians and other key health stakeholders in the Murray Bridge region to finalise the concept plans.
“This project is especially important given the expected massive growth in tourism and industry in Murray Bridge and surrounding areas in the coming years,” Mr Pederick said.
“I look forward to a builder being appointed and construction getting under way in the coming months.”
While the Murray Bridge Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital had just over 6,600 emergency presentations in 2016-17, this figure is expected to grow to 14,500 presentations by 2026.
Riverland Mallee Coorong Local Health Network (LHN) Board Chair, Dr Peter Joyner, said that the emergency department project is an exciting opportunity for the region.
“This will boost the capability of health services to ensure that people in the southern half of the Riverland Mallee Coorong Region can access the best possible emergency care when they need it.” Dr Joyner said.
Chief Executive Officer, Riverland Mallee Coorong Local Health Network (LHN), Wayne Champion said that approval of the upgrade plans was an important milestone in securing high quality health services for the people of Murray Bridge and the region for many years to come.
“The redeveloped ED will include two resuscitation bays and seven treatment bays – four more than currently available,” Mr Champion said.
“The new ED will also include a dedicated waiting room for patients and a separate quiet room for vulnerable patients, two procedure rooms, two consulting rooms, an ambulance lobby, nurses’ station, access toilet and shower facilities, and a room for relatives.
“It is pleasing that the new ED will be able to meet the increasing demand for emergency services in Murray Bridge and surrounding areas and deliver high quality care for our patients.”
Construction tenders will now be finalised and construction of the new ED is expected to commence in the coming months.
