See inside the new $320m Mount Barker Hospital

The new Mount Barker Hospital will “incorporate the natural beauty of the Hills into its modern design”, officials say. You be the judge with these new images.

New images of the planned new $320m Mount Barker Hospital show how the hospital will “incorporate the natural beauty of the Adelaide Hills into its modern design, creating a calm and restful environment for patients,” officials say.

The new hospital will triple the capacity of the existing Mount Barker District Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital to cater for the rapidly growing population of the Adelaide Hills and surrounding community.

It will see the existing hospital’s 34 beds increase to 102, supporting the new emergency department which in June 2023 increased from five bays to 17.

Artist impression of Mount Barker Hospital expansion. Pictures: State Government

Artist impression of an inpatient room.

Artist impression from above.

Labor promised a new $220m hospital while campaigning in the 2022 state election.

The project’s location on the existing hospital’s site was announced early in 2023 still with a price tag of $220m but the 2023-24 budget added an extra $100m to push the project to $320.8m with officials citing new services, extra space and “future-proofing” the design as reasons for the spiralling rising.

The majority of the new patient spaces are single rooms with private ensuites and space for visitors. These will complement new specialist maternity, pediatric, rehabilitation, medical, surgical and palliative care beds.

Other services include new operating theatres, expanded chemotherapy and a new

12-bed mental health unit.

South Australian construction company Built has been appointed as the builder and site preparation works are expected to begin this year, with construction forecast to be completed by the end of 2027.

Health Minister Chris Picton said the region’s population is predicted to increase by more than 25 per cent in the next decade.

“It’s expected that by 2036, more than 100,000 South Australians will call this region home,” he said.

“A bigger and better Mount Barker Hospital is exactly what the local community needs and we are getting on with the job of delivering this important election commitment.”

Barossa Hills Fleurieu Local Health Network chief executive Bronwyn Masters said the new hospital is critical to supporting the region’s growing population and ensuring local residents have access to high quality health services close to home.

“We are delighted to share with the Mount Barker and Hills residents the latest designs for the new hospital, which will be absolutely incredible for the community,” she said.

“We look forward to working alongside our contractors and key stakeholders to deliver the hospital.”