Murray Bridge hospital promised $7m upgrade in Liberal state election campaign

THE State Opposition has pledged $7 million to upgrade the Murray Bridge Soldiers Memorial Hospital as part of the election campaign.

The emergency section of the Murray Bridge Hospital.

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THE Opposition has pledged $7 million to upgrade the emergency department in the Murray Bridge Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital as campaigning for the March 17 election picks up pace.

The upgrade would see the facility get two resuscitation bays, seven treatment bays, two procedure rooms, two consulting rooms, a waiting room with airlock and a relatives’ room.

Opposition Leader Steven Marshall said the upgrade would double the number of resuscitation and treatment bays.

“This investment in the hospital’s emergency department is well overdue and we are committed to delivering quality health services for the growing population of Murray Bridge,” he said.

Opposition Leader Steven Marshall. Picture: Simon Cross

“Over the last thirty years, the demand for emergency services at the Murray Bridge Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital has doubled. Labor’s failure to upgrade the facility threatens the hospital’s capacity to deliver quality services.

“As well as servicing people from Murray Bridge and the surrounding region, the hospital often treats casualties from vehicle accidents, and the ED itself responds to over 6000 presentations each year.

“The growing population and the completion of The Bend Motorsport Park strengthen the case for an upgrade to the hospital’s emergency department.

“The Weatherill Labor Government has failed to address the address the inadequacies of the current ED despite being aware of the issues for years.”

He accused the government of having a “city-centric” approach to healthcare, although last week Premier Jay Weatherill announced a 10-year, $140 million infrastructure upgrade plan for rural hospitals including at Whyalla and Mt Gambier.

Member for Hammond Adrian Pederick said the current facilities lack privacy for patients and their families, while confined space in the ED can make it unsafe for patients and staff particularly when dealing with drug-affected people or those with mental health issues.

“Planning for an upgrade to the emergency department has been underway for at least four years but the Weatherill Labor Government recently rejected the funding proposal,” he said.

Policy police

What? $7 million for an upgrade of the Murray Bridge Soldiers Memorial Hospital emergency department.

How? Budget spending for regular upgrade of hospitals.

Pub test? All politics is local and this is likely to play well in the region, particularly given the focus — and spending — on metropolitan hospitals in the past few years.