Residents of Gawler and neighbouring areas are set to experience an improvement in emergency healthcare with the inauguration of the new $15 million Gawler Health Service Emergency Department.
This state-of-the-art facility, which opened its doors on Monday, boasts a huge expansion, providing enhanced capacity and modern amenities aimed at delivering top-notch emergency care.
“It’s fantastic to open this brand-new bigger and better emergency department for the Gawler community,” Minister for Health and Wellbeing Chris Picton says.
“The new ED has more than three times as many beds as the old ED, helping locals access the emergency care that they need close to home. Families will benefit from the introduction of tailored paediatric treatment bays to Gawler for the first time.
“The growing Gawler community has been crying out for an improvement to its hospital for years and we’re proud to be delivering it.”
The most notable upgrade is the substantial increase in bed capacity, with the new Emergency Department now equipped with 15 beds, more than tripling the capacity of its predecessor. Among these beds are 12 adult acute treatment bays, a considerable augmentation from the previous four, along with two specialized pediatric treatment bays, marking the first of its kind in Gawler.
The addition of a negative pressure room with dedicated facilities underscores the commitment to providing specialised care to patients.
Other notable features include a patient resuscitation bay, a hybrid procedure patient bay, and contemporary patient admission and consulting spaces, all contributing to a more comprehensive and efficient emergency care environment.
Schiavello Construction SA delivered the project in partnership with DIT and SA Health. Schiavello Construction Director Dale Sweeney commented “This new emergency department, along with extended paediatric care is a great addition to the Nothern suburbs. We are proud to deliver yet another successful health project. Thank you to our project design team and subcontractors.”
With a focus on improving patient experience and accessibility, the new facility incorporates a revamped triage area to facilitate timely assistance in a modern setting, alongside a low-stimulus room catering to individuals requiring specialised care.
“As Gawler continues to grow, we expect to see increasing presentations at our hospital,” Barossa Hills Fleurieu Local Health Network interim Chief Executive Officer Bronwyn Masters says.
“That’s why a larger, contemporary emergency department is essential for the healthcare needs of our community. We are delighted to be opening our new ED.”
This unveiling marks the initiation of the three-stage development plan at Gawler Health Service, with subsequent phases slated for completion later this year. Stage two will see the refurbishment of the existing Short Stay Unit, while stage three will transform the previous Emergency Department space into new meeting and training rooms, quiet spaces, and staff workstations.
In addition to enhancing patient care, the new emergency department is expected to alleviate pressure on the hospital’s inpatient wards, with an increase in capacity facilitated by the state government’s commitment to funding an additional 16 general medical beds.
Reflecting Gawler’s growing healthcare demands, the Health Service has transitioned to a salaried medical model, establishing a specialist-led teaching and training service. This initiative has recently welcomed its inaugural Trainee Medical Office.
In line with the State Government’s 2024 Transition to Professional Practice Program, the hospital has onboarded four registered nurses and two registered midwives, further bolstering its healthcare workforce and ensuring quality care delivery to the community.
In terms of accessibility, the public can now access the building more comfortably, thanks to the addition of an undercover arrivals area, dedicated entry and exit driveway for ambulances, and a 35-space car park, all aimed at facilitating smoother patient flows and enhancing overall convenience for visitors.
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