Image: Joel Chan
A major boost is on the way for Mid North healthcare, with the SA Government committing $22 million to deliver a brand-new Emergency Department at Clare Hospital, transforming frontline care for the region.
The investment will see Clare Hospital’s emergency services completely overhauled, replacing an outdated and constrained space within the main hospital ward with a purpose-built, modern facility designed to meet rising demand and contemporary standards of care.
For more than a century, Clare Hospital has served the Mid North community, but growing pressures have pushed its existing emergency setup beyond capacity. Emergency presentations at the hospital have increased by 27 per cent over the past five years, placing strain on staff, infrastructure and patient experience.
Premier Peter Malinauskas said the redevelopment was critical to ensuring the hospital could continue delivering safe, high-quality care into the future. “Clare Hospital has provided the Mid North with exceptional health services for more than a century, but its ED is no longer fit for purpose. Our Government will deliver Clare Hospital a dedicated ED that is modern, purpose-built and able to meet the growing health needs of this region,” he said.
The new Emergency Department will include advanced treatment bays, a dedicated resuscitation room, fast-track bays for urgent but less complex cases, a new triage area and a significantly expanded waiting room to improve privacy and comfort. A separate ambulance entry with an air-lock system will also be built, enhancing safety for patients, paramedics and hospital staff.
The project builds on an existing $7.3 million government investment already underway at Clare Hospital, which includes a redevelopment of the theatre suite and the construction of a new Central Sterile Supply Department, both due for completion later this year.
Tony Piccolo, SA Labor Candidate for Ngadjuri and Member for Light, said the announcement reflected long-standing calls from the local community. “This announcement reflects the Malinauskas Labor Government’s commitment to build a bigger health system for all South Australians,” he said, noting that improved hospital facilities had been raised repeatedly during conversations across the Clare region.
The Clare Hospital upgrade forms part of a broader statewide push to strengthen regional healthcare. Since 2022, the government has committed to major hospital upgrades and redevelopments in places including Victor Harbor, Mount Gambier and Gawler, alongside a 40 per cent increase in annual operating budgets for regional Local Health Networks.
Clare and Gilbert Valleys Mayor Allan Aughey OAM welcomed the funding, describing the new ED as a vital investment for both residents and visitors. “A new ED at Clare Hospital will save lives and improve health services for country dwellers and visitors of the Mid North, while helping to reduce some of the pressure on the Lyell McEwin Hospital,” he said.
The announcement comes alongside further health infrastructure commitments, including $23.4 million to upgrade 13 regional hospital helipads and the rollout of 24/7 security at several major hospitals, reinforcing a long-term approach to accessible, high-quality care across South Australia.
For more information on Clare Hospital, click here.
