Strategy for country health

Thirty three plans have been developed across country South Australia, including four local plans for the Country General Hospitals (at Mount Gambier, Whyalla, Berri and Port Lincoln). 

The Country Health SA Local Health Network (CHSA LHN) and local Health Advisory Councils have undertaken a comprehensive local health service planning process to develop the plans.

The plans aim to transform health care and deliver health benefits so that rural and remote South Australians lead healthier lives.

Implementing the thirty-three plans

The thirty-three plans provide the strategic long-term vision for CHSA LHN and clinicians and the community are being engaged through the establishment of taskgroups to determine the priorities for action over the next three years.

The taskgroups have been formed across five country SA geographical areas and include representation from medical, nursing and allied health clinical networks. 

They include:

• Medical, nursing and allied health clinical networks
• Health Advisory Councils
• Aboriginal Health Advisory Committees
• Aboriginal health networks
• Other stakeholders (such as Medicare Locals and Local Government)
• Country Health SA Local Health Network executives and staff.

The aim of the taskgroups is to guide the development of the implementation plans across the five geographical groupings in country South Australia. 

The taskgroups will critically review the directions outlined in the plans within the taskgroup geographic area, and determine the priorities and timing for new or expanded clinical services. This will be done in the context of the socio-demographic profile of the area and considering underlying factors including patient journey, the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and other culturally diverse communities, workforce and infrastructure.

Implementing the plans for the key country hospitals

The plans provide long-term strategic direction for South Australia’s key hospitals located in:

• Mount Gambier
• Port Lincoln
• Whyalla
• The Riverland (Berri)

The hospitals are essential to managing the health care needs of Country South Australians, reducing the need for patients to travel to Adelaide for treatment.

Current Country Health SA capital investment projects

The State Government completed the following capital investment projects in 2011:

• The Ceduna GP Plus Health Care Centre and Ceduna Hospital were officially opened on 30 September 2011, marking the completion of the $36 million Ceduna District Health Services redevelopment.
• The $5.6 million redevelopment of Hammill House in Port Pirie was officially opened on 8 December 2011, providing a completely refurbished 30 bed aged care facility including single and double rooms with ensuites.

The State Government is undertaking the following capital investment projects:

• $41 million for the redevelopment of the Riverland Country General Hospital in Berri.
• $12.49 million for the development of a GP Plus at Port Pirie.
• $15 million to help build the $69.3 million Regional Cancer Centre at the Whyalla Country General Hospital. The Whyalla Regional Cancer Centre will provide easier access to oncology treatment for patients living in the State’s north and west.