Construction starts on new Mount Barker Hospital for growing Adelaide Hills community

Work on the new $320m Adelaide Hills hospital has kicked off, and will triple the number of people it can treat at one time.

Construction has started on the new $320.8 million Mt Barker Hospital this week.

The new health service will triple the inpatient capacity to cater for the growing Adelaide Hills community, with the number of beds growing from 34 to 102.

An artist’s impression of the exterior of the new Mount Barker Hospital. Picture: supplied

Early works include a range of temporary buildings, civil and services infrastructure provisions as well as car park upgrades.

When complete, a new multi-deck car park will increase capacity from 431 to 654 spaces.

The health service will also boost opportunities for clinical workforce training and skilled employment within Mount Barker.

Health Minister Chris Picton said the new facility will add hundreds of new beds to the health system as well as more doctors and nurses.

“This (hospital) is not only better for patients and their families, it will also benefit the health system by reducing the need for hills’ residents to travel to the city, helping ease demand at our metro hospitals,” he said.

Specialist maternity service beds, mental health, paediatric and palliative care and rehabilitation services, contemporary operating theatres, chemotherapy and renal dialysis services will form part of the facility.

An artist’s impression of an internal private room at the new Mount Barker Hospital. Picture: supplied

SA Premier Peter Malinauskas said the Hills community was the fastest growing in the state and investment “will help give locals the healthcare they need, close to home, for years to come”.

Construction company Built, which delivered the Emergency Department last year, has been selected for the project.