THE State Government has announced a major election sweetener by pledging a $2.1m redevelopment of Mount Gambier Hospital’s cramped renal dialysis unit should they win the March state election.
Health Minister Peter Malinauskas will visit the hospital today to make the long-awaited commitment amid ongoing community pressure.
The renal unit – described as the worst in the state by specialists – will be expanded from the current four to six chairs under the government’s plan.
Today’s announcement follows the Liberal Party in November committing to the upgrade of the substandard unit in the lead-up to the state election.
The government’s commitment will see the footprint of the unit expanded to accommodate 24 patients per week.
This will result in eight more patients a week receiving lifesaving treatment.
“Today’s funding announcement will provide a welcome boost for the Mount Gambier Hospital and follows strong community advocacy and support for the expansion of renal dialysis services in the Limestone Coast,” Mr Malinauskas said.
“This redevelopment will make a real difference to Mount Gambier, providing extra capacity for renal patients to receive treatment in modern and expanded facilities.”
Mr Malinauskas – who visited the unit late last year just weeks after becoming health minister – described his firsthand look at the facility as an “eye-opener”.
“It really struck me that it was an area of need,” he said.
The health minister said he was also left with an clear understanding there was strong community feeling towards the project given fundraising efforts.
Mr Malinauskas said the upgrade would deliver a private area for patients and a work space for staff.
He foreshadowed the redevelopment would get under way “sooner rather than later” if the government was re-elected in March.
Mr Malinauskas also praised the advocacy of Legislative Council Labor candidate Clare Scriven who urged him to visit the unit in an effort to help achieve the funding result.
He also highlighted the role of the Mount Gambier Health Advisory Council (HAC), including its outgoing chair Penny Richardson.
The health minister commended Member for Mount Gambier Troy Bell who has also been a vocal advocate of the project.
Country Health SA chief executive officer Maree Geraghty welcomed the funding commitment.
“Country Health SA’s vision will be the best rural health service and we are committed to growing better country services close to home for rural and remote South Australians, their carers and families,” Ms Geraghty said.
“The challenge of maintaining 61 hospitals and more than 20 aged care facilities means there is always work to be done, and we will continue to prioritise funding towards urgent projects.
“I would like to thank the local HAC and members of the community for all their feedback and support on the expansion of the Mount Gambier renal unit.”
