Designs of the new Mount Barker Hospital Development

There are two bedrooms and ensuites in acute specifically designed for bariatric patients, along with integrated ceiling lifters in several locations. Different seating options have also been considered in waiting areas and public spaces to accommodate a diverse range of hospital visitors and patients.

Hospital corridor widths are designed to meet minimum standards and guidelines, and are tested to meet the purpose of either goods/patient movements or foot traffic. 

The new hospital has been designed to maximise views of nature and outlook to support recovery and wellbeing. The design has considered this in the orientation of the bed and layout, which does have beds within inpatient units positioned to take in the window view.

Staff change facilities have been provided that include showers and nearby lockers. These are shared facilities with theatre staff and birthing located in the same wing.

Each inpatient unit has access to a variety of spaces to meet with consumers or family outside the bedroom, such as lounge, meeting and interview rooms.

The dirty utility rooms include bed pan flusher/sanitisers for the management of waste.

Clean and dirty flows have been mapped for the transport of reusable medical devices between the Central Sterilising Supply Department and Theatres. Instruments will be transported in case carts via the goods lift, separating clean and dirty flows to meet required standards and compliance.

A retail space is included in the main foyer for a cafe outlet, which includes both indoor and outdoor seating options.

The Emergency Department at Mount Barker District Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital was upgraded in 2023, and this project includes a further expansion of six Emergency Short Stay beds. Jones Radiology and SA Dental Services remain in their current location, and the travel paths including the ramp are currently under investigation to consider opportunities to improve safety.

There are a number of required fire stairs throughout the building that provide safe egress in the event of an emergency. The stairwells within the Mental Health Unit are for emergency exit only in the event of fire, and will not be accessible as a thoroughfare in or out at other times.

The subacute wing includes six Palliative care beds and 22 beds that may be used for subacute or acute care. With this flexible model, there was a reduction in therapy spaces, including the therapy kitchen. A multipurpose on-ward therapy space remains available, with access to therapy kitchen facilities if required.

The workspace within the new Hospital has been modelled on expected workforce requirements. Allocation of workspace will also consider roles that need to be based on site or at other off site administration hubs.

Waiting areas are included within outpatient services and are designed to provide comfort and amenities to patients awaiting care, whilst also ensuring safe supervision. Consumers will have input into the interior design and selection of furniture. Diagnostic results would be discussed in the privacy of a consult room to respect confidentiality.

The current design does not include a pathology laboratory onsite. Specimens are collected by SA Pathology and are processed at other laboratories. A space is available on Level 3 for a future onsite laboratory, which is dependent on clinical need and funding. Discussions on the planning for this option are in progress with SA Pathology and Barossa, Hills Fleurieu Local Health Network.

Families are encouraged to take clothes home for laundering when required. The Mental Health unit has a laundry facility for patient use, and alternative clothing can be made available for those who run out of clean clothes.

The New Mount Barker District Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital will triple the inpatient capacity of the current hospital. Service planning and modelling was carried out to consider population growth and demand. The design of the hospital has considered opportunities for potential growth on the site if required in the future.

The new hospital will not a have new helipad as the clinical preference is to transfer patients to metropolitan hospitals via road as this is quicker and safer. This is based on consultation with SAAS and MedSTAR. In the infrequent event a helicopter is required, it can land at the nearby Mt Barker Community Oval.

The previous helipad at Mount Barker District Soldiers’ Memorial was decommissioned in 2022 in consultation with SA Ambulance Service (SAAS) and MedSTAR due to not complying with Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) regulations.