The Malinauskas Government’s $9.5 million redevelopment of the Port Augusta Hospital and Regional Health Service has progressed to one of its most important stages, as the city’s Emergency Department gets ready to have its first major upgrade in more than two decades.

This project will provide modern facilities and improved health care for patients in the Upper Spencer Gulf.

In the next round of works, external walls will be demolished to enable construction of a dedicated airlock entry for the new waiting room. Once this is completed, the waiting room reception and triage areas will be built, offering a welcoming environment for patients and staff, as well as a more streamlined experience for patients presenting to the ED.

The Monitored Bed Unit’s refurbishment will include a new ensuite and ante room, which will help the hospital to better manage patients with infectious diseases like COVID-19 or influenza.

Construction company McMahon has been contracted for the works following a competitive tender process. The company recently completed its scoping and preparatory works ahead of the upgrade.

Every step has been taken to ensure impacts to patient care are avoided during construction, with patients, their carers and loved ones asked to use the hospital’s main entrance where they’ll be directed to a temporary waiting area. Hospital services will remain operational throughout the upgrade.

New security screening was installed at the front entrance, in multiple administrative areas and at nurses’ stations in March, with a new access system also rolled out across the hospital.

New security screening was installed at the front entrance, multiple administrative areas and nurses stations back in March, with a new access system also rolled out across the building. The hospital’s Mortuary is also due to be renovated later this year.

The ED upgrades are expected to be completed by late October and remaining works for the Port Augusta Hospital and Regional Health Service upgrades are due to be finished by February next year.

Quotes

Attributable to Chris Picton

It’s exciting that our emergency department upgrade is now underway so we can provide better services for Port Augusta residents.

The upgrade has been carefully designed together with doctors and nurses to improve safety and clinical care and help manage increasing presentations at the hospital.

This is one of many hospital upgrades across country South Australia that we are making, and in just four short years we have increased annual spending on country hospital infrastructure by over 300 per cent.

Attributable to the Member for Stuart, Geoff Brock MP

This investment has been greatly appreciated by the community and surrounds of Port Augusta.

This upgrade will not only provide the very best possible care for those attending the Emergency Department – it will also provide for the growth in demand for emergency healthcare in our communities.

I would like to thank the community for their patience as the improvements to Port Augusta Hospital and Regional Health Service are delivered.

Attributable to Flinders and Upper North Local Health Network Chief Executive Officer Craig Packard

It’s pleasing to see work has started on upgrading the Emergency Department.

This upgrade is moving forward and it will ensure our facilities are able to respond to the growth in demand for our services.

Providing the best care possible remains our commitment and these works will help us meet that goal.

I want to thank consumers and staff for their patience and understanding during this construction period.