Modbury Hospital

Dr HARVEY (Newland) (15:38): Today, I rise to speak about the $97.5 million upgrade to Modbury Hospital. Since I was elected as the member for Newland in 2018, and as a member of the Marshall Liberal government, we have sought to end the cuts inflicted on Modbury Hospital from Labor's failed Transforming Health policy and instead invest, returning key health services to the north-east. I think it is safe to say that Modbury Hospital is the issue that is raised with me the most. Whether I am out doorknocking or just out and about in the electorate, it is made clear to me that the residents of Newland and the people of the north and north-east in general want better patient care closer to home. This is why it gives me great delight to talk about the upgrade to Modbury Hospital.

Several milestones have already been completed, including the completion of an eight-bed emergency extended care unit, an upgraded hospital facade and a refurbishment of the administration area on level 5. Easing pressure on the emergency department is a key focus of the upgrade, and the completion of a specialised emergency extended care unit goes a good way to addressing this.

The new unit allows patients who are assessed in the emergency department to be moved to the new unit for further observation and treatment for up to 24 hours. This frees up emergency beds and improves the movement of new patients into the emergency department. Construction is also underway on the new 20-bed Palliative Care Unit. The palliative care team at Modbury Hospital receives around 1,200 new referrals every year for both inpatient and community care, and the new unit, with private gardens and natural light, creates a more homelike environment with space for families to stay with their loved ones during end-of-life care.

I must say that in the time I have been the candidate for Newland, as well as the now member for Newland, I have never heard anything other than positive comments and feedback about the palliative care service at Modbury Hospital, but now we are backing up that wonderful service with a modern, purpose-built, state-of-the-art facility.

There is plenty more to look forward to, with the upgrade with works continuing for a new surgical suite, high dependency unit, front entrance and the relocation of the outpatient department to allow for more streamlined access in a more efficient location. This is on top of the recent announcement that a further $1.5 million has been invested for lift upgrades. Once completed, these upgrades will deliver, as promised, improved health care for our communities, more beds at Modbury Hospital and fewer transfers to the Lyell McEwin Hospital.

This extensive upgrading and enhancing of Modbury Hospital is not just delivering better healthcare services for the residents in the north and north-east but, importantly, is stimulating the local economy at a time when it is needed. Over 200 construction workers are onsite daily, and nearly 1,400 people have been involved in the construction so far.

Further to this, the upgrade has used over 100 tonnes of reinforced steel that has been processed and manufactured locally in Cavan, and 1,100 cubic metres of concrete has been sourced from companies across South Australia, providing a huge boost to local suppliers and tradespeople throughout this economically challenging period.

I would also like to take this time to thank the staff and patients, as well as the volunteers, at Modbury Hospital. The upgrade at the hospital no doubt has caused some disruptions over the last year in what has been a challenging period, so I would very much like to thank them for their patience. This is indeed an exciting time for residents of the north-east. Modbury Hospital is an ageing facility that has been long overdue for an upgrade, to the point where it had been neglected under the previous government and bits of the facade were falling off and crumbling to the ground below.

I am proud to be part of a Marshall Liberal government that has put an end to the cuts and downgrades that had previously been inflicted on the people of the north-east through Labor's failed Transforming Health plan and instead is investing in world-class infrastructure to deliver better patient care closer to home for people in the north-east.