Residents in the Lockhart District will soon have the health-care facility they need with new funds announced in last week’s state budget.
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The $4.4 million allocated will allow the refurbishment of Lockhart Hospital to begin in August, with the entire project budgeted to cost $8 million.
Lockhart Hospital’s Health Service Manager, Karen McPherson said it was expected that the work would be complete in September 2013.
Lockhart’s General practitioner Dr Ken Mackey welcomed the extra funding along with many others in the Lockhart community.
Dr Mackey said the Multi-Purpose Centre (MPS) model worked well with rural towns and said the refurbishment would have a positive effect on the community.
“(We) can’t do anything but welcome the $4.4 million investment,” he said.
The work will not interrupt services provided by the Lockhart Hospital, with the work to be completed in stages.
When complete the Lockhart MPS will provide an emergency ward, medical imaging, physiotherapy, community nursing including child and family nursing and
consultation.
The emergency department is included in the areas to be revamped and improved together with reception and staff
workstations.
Dr Mackey said the improvements in infrastructure would see many improvements for nursing, medical and other staff at the facility.
An additional five aged-care beds will be created raising the total to 15.
Rooms will be available for private and visiting health services, all bedrooms will have ensuite facilities, a “home-like” interior and gardens and walking paths.
“This facility will provide the Lockhart community with a fully integrated ‘one stop shop’ where residents can access all of the community’s health services from GP services and preventative healthcare to acute
services all in one location,” Ms McPherson said.
Dr Mackey said the MPS would help the Lockhart community stand on its own two feet and remain viable well into the future.
MPS facilities have been built across the nation, with one of the first constructed in Urana - the program is funded by both federal and state governments.
