An after-hours registered nurse-led clinic at Gumeracha District Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital has opened this week, ahead of the opening of the new Mount Barker Emergency Department (ED) on 7 June.
The Gumeracha service has been established, following the closure of the local hospital ED during the pandemic.
The facility will provide the Northern Hills region with more timely access to urgent, non-emergency care, including access to virtual medical support for illnesses and injuries.
Patients will need to book ahead for the new service, which operates Monday to Friday 4:00pm to 8:00pm, and Saturdays and Sundays 10:00am to 4:00pm, excluding public holidays.
The nurses at the after-hours clinic will be able to escalate cases to doctors at the new Mount Barker ED.
The new ED – which more than triples the number of treatment bays has 17 treatment bays – 12 more than the old ED – providing increased capacity to deliver comprehensive treatment and emergency care.
The new facility has two resuscitation bays, two paediatric treatment bays and 13 general patient treatment bays. A new negative pressure treatment bay and other clinical rooms will also support emergencies.
The opening of the ED comes as design work progresses on the new Mount Barker Hospital, a major Labor Government $220M election commitment.
Current hospital services will continue throughout construction.
Early site works for the new hospital are anticipated to start by the end of this year, with construction expected to be completed by the end of 2027, following community consultation.
