A new $16.8 million emergency department at the Southern Fleurieu Health Service in Victor Harbor will open to patients in the coming weeks, quadrupling capacity and supporting the needs of a growing regional community.
The upgrade, jointly funded by State and Federal Governments, has quadrupled the number of patient spaces from five to 20. It includes new treatment areas, consulting rooms, and features designed to enhance patient care.
For the first time, the hospital will include an Extended Care Unit with three beds for clinically stable patients expected to be discharged within 24 hours. The ED will also feature two consulting rooms, a low-stimulus room, six enclosed treatment bays including an isolation bay, six open treatment bays, and two emergency resuscitation beds adjacent to the ambulance lobby.
Additional improvements include upgraded patient admission and triage areas, a visitor lounge, staff facilities, and secure storage spaces. The expansion increases local ED capacity by 400 per cent to meet future demand in a region expected to grow by 42 percent over the next 15 years.
Chris Picton, Minister for Health and Wellbeing, said, “Fleurieu communities are growing and it’s important that the region’s health facilities keep up with demand and continue to deliver timely care to those who need it.”
The redevelopment was designed by Wiltshire Swan and built by Schiavello Construction. Cedric Varcoe, a Ramindjeri, Ngarrindjeri and Narungga man, contributed to the project with landscaping advice and artwork to create a culturally welcoming environment.
Community open days will be held on Friday 7 and Saturday 8 November, giving locals the chance to tour the new facility before it opens to patients on Wednesday 19 November.
A $1.3 million expansion of the hospital’s Renal Unit has also been completed. This is expected to save each patient an average of eight hours of travel per week and about $14,850 per year. The additional capacity will also reduce collective patient travel by more than 101,000 kilometres annually.
Mark Butler, Federal Minister for Health and Ageing, said, “The Albanese Government has invested in Victor Harbor’s emergency department because regional communities deserve access to high quality emergency care. This upgrade means the local community can get emergency treatment closer to home, without long waits or long drives, now and for years to come.”
Rebekha Sharkie, Federal Member for Mayo, said, “The facility is extraordinary and just what the Victor Harbor and South Coast community deserve. I advocated for this investment in regional health for many years, and the community will soon be able to access this purpose-built and modern facility, ultimately improving health outcomes.”
“In the more than nine years I’ve been the local Federal MP, there’s been a significant growth in presentations to the ED in Victor Harbor. This redevelopment has been designed to accommodate continuing growth into the future. This facility will be able to manage all levels of emergencies, with a capacity to cope with larger patient volumes than the current ED. It’s been a long time coming and is vital for the South Coast region and its rapidly growing population.”
CEO of the Barossa Hills Fleurieu Local Health Network Bronwyn Masters, said, “I look forward to welcoming those needing emergency care to our new Emergency Department from Wednesday the 19th of November. By expanding our services, we’re able to give more locals the care they require without the need to travel long distances.”
“Our staff will also benefit from working in these new spaces which have been designed to help with more efficient workflows. The community can be confident that when they present to the Southern Fleurieu Health Service, they will be able to continue to access high quality care in a purpose designed, modern environment.”
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