SA Health to run Keith Hospital as Keith Healthcare

After years of financial struggles, the “unsustainable” Keith and District Hospital will join SA Health – but will no longer be a hospital. See what services it will provide.

SA Health will take over Keith and District Hospital under a $9.75m, seven-year deal which will see it go from a hospital to a healthcare service.

The not-for-profit community hospital opened in 1954 and had struggled financially for more than a decade including with the cost of locums resulting in repeated government bailouts and community rallies in support of the hospital.

Last year at the hospital’s annual general meeting more than 200 people voted to move the hospital into the public system.

It will now become Keith and District Healthcare in a new service model with an aim to reduce and prevent the need for inpatient care, under a deal promised by Labor in the lead up to the election.

Fundraising bottled water labelled "stayin' alive" in support of the Keith Hospital during the community’s fight to keep it operating.

The hospital board had indicated the existing service model was unsustainable and has been working with the Limestone Coast Local Health Network to develop an alternative model.

The new service model will provide access to urgent care and be equipped to provide more acute services in the home.

It will integrate a community paramedic, nurse practitioner and additional allied health roles to support the health service’s general practitioner.

Keith and District Hospital chair Peter Brookman.

Officials say the new model is designed to improve access to aged care, allied health, Country Health Connect services, NDIS services, and will have dedicated telehealth rooms.

Patient transport options between Keith and Bordertown Memorial Hospital will be improved with greater support for SA Ambulance Service volunteers.

The associated Keith aged care facility, Stirling Lodge, has had 26 aged care rooms renovated with all rooms receiving new or updated ensuites. Stirling Lodge also provides modern clinical spaces, a gymnasium, cafe, hairdresser, and inviting outdoor spaces.

The service will be managed by the Limestone Coast Local Health Network, with the formal transition process now underway.

Hospital chair Peter Brookman said the new healthcare model is practical and sustainable.

“The board is pleased with the thorough consultation with the community that has led to this model and looks forward to facilitating a smooth transition of the service into SA Health,” he said.

Hay bales painted in support of the Keith Hospital, which is fighting to keep operating after an SA government funding cut.

Health Minister Chris Picton said the government is committed to improving healthcare for regional South Australians.

“The new Keith and District Healthcare will do just that for those living in the Upper South East,” he said.

“The new model of care will also provide opportunities for future workforce development that will include training and student placements, which we hope will ultimately attract more medical professionals to the region.”

Limestone Coast Local Health Network chief executive Ngaire Buchanan said the new model will include existing staff.

“We are actively recruiting additional staff such as a nurse practitioner, community paramedics and allied health professionals to further bolster the service,” she said.

“We will start establishing a Keith and District Health Advisory Council, so that those living in the region will always have a say in their community healthcare services.”