Residents in the Barossa and surrounding community are urged to have their say on the future of local health services, with community engagement for the Barossa
Hospital Business Case getting underway.
Minister for Health and Wellbeing Stephen Wade said the engagement process, led by the Barossa Hills Fleurieu
Local Health Network, is an opportunity for the community to have input in the future of local health services.
"The Board is your Board. They are engaging with members of the community, partner organisations and health practitioners to make sure they fully understand the health service values, needs and hopes of Barossa and the surrounding areas," Minister Wade said.
"There will be two open forums for community members to participate in interactive round table discussions about Barossa health services, and what considerations they would like to see in future planning for the region.
"The feedback from the forums, as well as the online consultation, will help to provide valuable information about what services help to support health and wellbeing in the community, services that will be needed in the future, and what people value most about their local health services.
"The State Government is committed to delivering services that better support the health and wellbeing of all South Australians."
Local Liberal Member for Schubert Stephan Knoll said the Barossa needed and, most importantly, deserved modern health infrastructure.
"I am excited that we are delivering on our election commitment and now moving into developing a service plan for the region, which will be used to formulate a preferred option for delivering health services in the Barossa," Minister Knoll said.
"I encourage as many people as possible to take the opportunity to get involved with this consultation process and vocalise their health priorities and have a say in the future of Barossa health services."
Barossa Hills Fleurieu Local Health Network Chief Executive Officer, Rebecca Graham, said that the first phase of engagement will focus on developing an activity and service profile which will look at the types and capacity of health services needed in the region.
"Discussions will be based around existing services and what services people would like to see in the Barossa in future, as well as giving community members the opportunity to share their health service priorities and values," Ms Graham said.
"The second phase of engagement will focus on how these services might be provided to meet the demands of a growing population, as well as looking at the costs and benefits of a new hospital.
"The valuable information gathered through the engagement process will be used, along with what we already know about our health services, to shape the overall Barossa Hospital Business Case."
Engagement for the Barossa Business Plan will run from October 2019 and is expected to finish in early 2020.
To attend an open forum workshop please visit www.eventbrite.com.au, or to have your say online please click here
