Eyre Peninsula residents will soon have access to better health services as work begins on an upgraded Renal Dialysis Unit at Whyalla Hospital.
Minister for Health and Wellbeing, Stephen Wade, said that the $3.6 million upgraded facility will provide a larger treatment space that will improve the wellbeing of patients and ensure they are able to receive the best possible care closer to home.
"There is a high demand for renal dialysis treatment in the Whyalla region. This expansion and upgrade will ensure local patients can continue to receive high quality care but get it closer to their home," Minister Wade said.
"Patients will soon have access to six renal dialysis chairs, providing the highest quality of care for renal dialysis patients in Whyalla and surrounding areas.
"It is fantastic to come to Whyalla Hospital to hear first-hand from clinicians and patients how the difference the new unit will have on the lives of patients in the Flinders and Upper North region.
"We are committed to ensuring regional South Australians have better access to healthcare, and this is another way we can deliver on that commitment and ensure patients can get their care closer to home."
Minister Wade said the Marshall Liberal Government has been unashamedly focused on reversing the 16 years of neglect of regional communities by the previous Labor Government.
"We are investing $140 million over 10 years to significantly improve country hospital infrastructure and have committed $20 million to entice more doctors to the regions so South Australians receive the care they need closer to home."
Flinders and Upper North Local Health Network CEO, Craig Packard, said the upgrades will help meet the growing needs of the community both now and into the future.
"Patients will benefit from a new, refreshed space with improved patient amenities, six spacious treatment bays, including an isolation bay, and an office area to meet growing demand," Mr Packard said.
"We have been working closely with clinicians to design this space in a way that will ensure patient comfort and care as a top priority, and we would like to thank our staff for their valuable contributions.
"This is an exciting time for the many people who will benefit from having access to this service locally, their families and the whole community."
The construction tender for the new renal dialysis unit was awarded to Pascale Construction, a South Australian-based construction company.
The upgraded Renal Dialysis Unit at Whyalla Hospital is expected to be fully operational by the end of 2020.
