Noarlunga Hospital will undergo a $74 million expansion which will boost bed numbers by 48 - taking the total to 140 - and provide enhanced health care for local residents.
Due to open at the end of 2025, the project features a new Mental Health Rehabilitation Unit, which will include 24 specialist mental health beds for those with high and complex needs.
This will comprise of two 12-bed pods of single rooms, along with two large therapy areas, two private consumer lounges, four interview rooms, two family lounges, a gymnasium and external courtyards.
A new 24-bed Medical Inpatient Unit will also be built to expand the care available for general medical patients, with two of the b
edrooms designed specifically for patients with transmissible infectious diseases and another two for patients with bariatric needs.
It is hoped the additional bed capacity will reduce the need to transfer patients to Flinders Medical Centre and increase patient flow from the Noarlunga Hospital emergency department.
Southern Adelaide Local Health Network Chief Executive Kerrie Freeman welcomed the expansion, saying it would mean people will be able to get care closer to home.
"We may be growing, but we won't lose that caring approach that Noarlunga Hospital is known for," she said.
Meanwhile, construction is also underway in Adelaide’s inner north on a first-of-its-kind mental health accommodation in South Australia.
The new 16-independent unit site in Clearview will provide long-term housing for NDIS patients, providing 24/7 support for people living with a psychosocial disability who no longer need acute care but require ongoing out-of-hospital care.
The State Government has contributed $5 million to build the facility, set to open in mid 2025, which will provide residents with personalised care and enable them to live independently in a community-based setting.
It will be managed and operated by community provider The Haven Foundation / Mind Australia.
Mind Australia Chief Executive Officer Gill Callister said this model would provide support and recovery for people with mental ill-health.
“The Haven Foundation residences have been shown to reduce hospitalisations and homelessness for people with mental health challenges, providing stability and security and recovery focused support,” Ms Gill said.
“Our sites established interstate enable people with long-term manageable mental health challenges to lead successful and fulfilling lives in the community.”
