The Marshall Liberal Government should immediately release the business case for the new Barossa Valley Hospital, according to the Member for Light and Candidate for Schubert, Mr Tony Piccolo and Shadow Minister for Health Chris Picton.
Mr Piccolo said SA Health has been sitting on this report for more than four months now.
“Everywhere I go, health and medical services are raised as a priority issue for local people. The community wants some more certainty around possible local health care solutions.”
“The potential development of a new hospital in the Barossa region creates an opportunity to build a centre for excellence in regional, rural and remote health.”
“I understand from media reports that some consultation has been undertaken, which is a good start, but we all remain in the dark about what the government is planning.”
“Is there bad news they are trying to hide?”
“I want to see what the document says to assess if it will meet the needs community and health professionals have been sharing with me.”
“I am keen to work with the greater Barossa community to ensure whatever is proposed, meets the needs and aspirations of local people and their health professionals.”
“The key issues of location, service mix, cost and construction timeline must be addressed, and government should make clear what if any funding is being made available.”
“Large regional hospitals such as Riverland General and Mount Gambier hospital, have expanded their scope of services, I want to see what this business case might say about doing something similar in the Barossa.”
“The need for an upgraded hospital has significant local support. Many local people in the Barossa have contacted me saying that improved local healthcare is vital for both the ageing and growing population.”
“I want to see what the report says about the ageing hospital facilities in Angaston and Tanunda.”
“I also want to see if the business case considers the impacts on the Gawler Hospital and the mix of services that could or should be provided there by SA Health.
”Shadow Minister for Health Chris Picton said that in early 2018 local media was reporting that Stephan Knoll was confident the hospital would be up and running by 2022.
“In February 2018, Mr Knoll, made a commitment to The Leader newspaper that if the business case revealed the need for a new hospital ‘a new facility will be built by 2022’,” Mr Picton said.
“The Marshall Liberal Government is way off delivering on that commitment.”
“The Liberals have said one thing to the community before the election but failed to deliver once in government on their commitments.
“Why can’t the community and local doctors and nurses see the business case? Why won’t the government consult with locals?”
“There is no need to delay releasing the business case. It is more than four months since The Leader first reported on the completion of the business case for the new Barossa Hospital back in June.
“Obviously Stephan Knoll has been heavily distracted over the past four months with his travel expense issues, but that’s no excuse for failing to do his job and ensure the community is represented and his commitments honoured,” Mr Picton said.