Regional Health Services

The Hon. H.M. GIROLAMO (15:03): My question is to the Minister for Health and Wellbeing. Can the minister update the council on the upgrading of health assets in our regions?

The Hon. S.G. WADE (Minister for Health and Wellbeing) (15:03): I would like to thank the honourable member for her question. The Marshall Liberal government is committed to providing better health care closer to home for all South Australians. In delivering on this promise, this government has committed to delivering more than $200 million of regional health capital projects.

The Marshall government has a health budget reaching $7.4 billion in 2021-22, supporting the state's health services right across South Australia. As part of this, we have committed $150 million to a regional assets sustainment program, which over 10 years addresses a backlog of works which we inherited from those opposite. So many of the regional health assets were in need of capital works upgrades or refurbishments due to the neglect of the previous government. Thankfully, this government is getting on with the job and delivering for all South Australians, including those in our regions. I would like to highlight one of these projects today.

Making up just a small portion of our rural health capital works commitment is the $3.5 million project at the Naracoorte hospital. This project includes upgrades to the two operating theatres, the central sterile services department and the site hydraulic services. I was delighted to be able to visit this facility on 1 September this year. I am advised that the construction works are now complete and that final commissioning of medical equipment is underway, with the theatres expected to be fully operational in the coming days. This is fantastic news for those who live in and around the Naracoorte hospital, resulting in better care closer to home for their community.

The Naracoorte project forms part of the $15 million COVID-19 economic stimulus, which was announced in March 2020. I am extremely proud to be able to inform members that the $15 million stimulus has resulted in 32 projects in our regional health and aged-care facilities, of which 28 of the 32 projects are now complete. I would like to thank the Limestone Coast Local Health Network and the Naracoorte community for their support and assistance in delivering this project, and we will continue to address the healthcare needs of regional South Australians. The Marshall Liberal government is building capacity in our hospitals and health services, while supporting a better health system for all South Australians.