’It saved her life’: Gumeracha locals call on State Government to reopen local ED

Baby Shiloh received lifesaving care at the Gumeracha ED before it was closed again due to Covid – and locals say keeping it closed could cost lives.

A campaign has been launched to reopen the Gumeracha Hospital Emergency Department with some locals fearful its ongoing closure could cost lives.

The facility is one of seven regional EDs to have been closed since the start of the global pandemic last year, because the state government believes it will reduce the risk of COVID-19 infection passing onto aged care facilities attached to the centres.

It has left the community without critical health care for almost 18 months, with those wishing to attend a hospital forced to drive stretches of road with limited mobile phone reception.

The closest ED is Modbury Hospital – 27km to the west or Mount Barker, 35km to the south.

A petition by Kavel MP Dan Cregan is now calling for additional State Government to reopen the facility.

So far, more than 2200 residents have signed the online petition on change.org, including father Joel Taggart.

Mr Taggart’s daughter Shiloh benefited from the temporary reopening of the Gumeracha ED in March this year – a service which proved to be life saving for the four-month old girl who was experiencing breathing difficulties.

“If this situation occurred now with the (ED) closed, we would have waited a minimum of 20 minutes for an ambulance due to the closest SAAS station being at Woodside,” he said.

“The (ED) most certainly ensured that Shiloh received prompt medical care and potentially saved her life.”

Joel Taggart and daughter Shiloh, 1, with other locals who are calling on the ED to reopen. Picture Dean Martin

Dorothy Evans, who has lived in Gumeracha for 27 years, said the hospital played a critical part in regional health care.

“If this was not here, a number of people would have died as the road to Modbury is dangerous, waiting for ambulances is prolonged, and the journey to Mt Barker is also a long one,” she said.

“In farming communities and places well visited like we are, it is imperative that we have a hospital this side of the hills area that can give immediate attention.”

Mr Cregan said urgent action was needed.

“Many communities in the North of my electorate and surrounding districts depend on the hospital for care,” he said.

“Not having a fully operational ED also places additional strain on local ambulance crews who need to divert patients to Mount Barker or city hospitals.”

A Barossa Hills Fleurieu Health Network spokeswoman said EDs in Gumeracha, Kapunda, Barmera, Tailem Bend, Strathalbyn, Eudunda and Mt Pleasant would remain “temporarily” shut.

“As the SA border is now open, we will continue to monitor the situation and ensure appropriate measures are taken to ensure community safety for our vulnerable and elderly population,” the spokesman said.

“The temporary closures are regularly reviewed, and any subsequent changes will be communicated accordingly.”