Rebekha calls for urgent upgrade of hospital ED unit

Posted February 11, 2019

Federal Member for Mayo Rebekha Sharkie is calling on the State Government to invest $15 million into urgent upgrades to the emergency department at the Mount Barker Hospital.

Photograph: Federal Member for Mayo Rebekha Sharkie is calling on the State Government to invest $15 million into urgent upgrades to the emergency department at the Mount Barker Hospital. To join the campaign go to www.rebekhasharkie.com.au/edsos and add your name to the petition. You can listen to her Youtube clip here.

The local MP has written to the State Health Minister, Stephen Wade, and launched a petition so the community can add their voices to this critical infrastructure request.

"We know the Federal Government has set aside an extra $1.3 billion for regional health services leading into the 2019 Federal election," Rebekha said.

"The State needs to ask for our share for the Mount Barker Hospital so our medical professionals can work in a modern ED and meet the growing needs of a growing community.

“It’s fantastic that we’ve been able to successfully fight for a 24-hour doctor at the hospital but the feedback I’ve been getting from our community is that this service has been running on a shoestring budget in surrounds that simply won’t be fit for purpose by the end of the year.

"From talking to people involved in this sector it is my understanding we need to invest $15 million to make the Mount Barker Hospital ED big enough and modern enough to provide the medical services our region deserves.”

The Federal Government announced in its Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook that it plans to spend $1.3 billion over four years to establish a Community Health and Hospitals Program.

Rebekha says the State Government should use some of its share to upgrade the Mount Barker Hospital.

“My understanding is that this Community Health and Hospitals Program aims to partner with State Governments and service providers to fund projects that reduce the pressure on hospital and community health services,” Rebekha said.

“South Australia should receive $93 million of the $1.3 billion based on our seven per cent population share so $15 million for a hospital infrastructure project that serves a local population catchment of 70,000 people is fair and reasonable.

“Projects that tackle rural health and hospital infrastructure shortfalls are also expected to be a priority under this program.

“Therefore, I call on Minister Wade to work with our local Primary Health Network and make our Mount Barker Hospital ED a place where Hills people can finally have access to the type of service this growing population base deserves.”

To join the campaign go to www.rebekhasharkie.com.au/edsos and add your name to the petition.