Building a bigger health system in the South
The State Government is committed to improving hospital and health services in the southern suburbs, so you have better access to health care closer to home.
We are expanding inpatient capacity in the southern suburbs by more than 20% over the next four years with an extra 228 beds. This year alone, we are opening an additional 72 beds across Noarlunga Hospital, Flinders Medical Centre and the Repat Health Precinct, with another 58 next year, totalling 130 by the end of 2025. This will be followed by a further 98 beds at Flinders Medical Centre in 2028.
Other initiatives recently completed, planned or underway include:
- opening two Medicare Urgent Care Clinics in Marion and Morphett Vale
- building new ambulance stations in Edwardstown and Marion
- upgrading existing ambulance stations at Aldinga
- establishing a 24/7 pharmacy in Clovelly Park
- supporting the development of a Kids Mental Health Hub
- supporting the Marion Priority Care Centre (referral only)
- delivering alternative urgent care treatment pathways for older people at the Repat (referral only).
We’re upgrading and expanding the Flinders Medical Centre, Noarlunga Hospital and the Repat Health Precinct with 228 additional hospital beds across all sites in partnership with the Federal Government.
Flinders Medical Centre expansion and upgrades
Construction has begun on a 98 clinical space Acute Services Building, expected to open in early 2028. The building will form the new main entrance and includes:
- two 32 bed Adult Inpatient Units
- 18-bed Medical Day Unit and new podiatry area
- 16-bed Intensive Care Unit and supporting CT scanner suite
- four new operating theatres and recovery areas
- Day of Surgery Admissions area
- Eye Surgery Clinic with procedure rooms and theatres.
Other upgrades to Flinders Medical Centre include:
- Opened the Marjorie Tripp ward in April 2024 with 20 specialised older person’s beds for the Older Persons Assessment and Liaison (OPAL) Unit and the Residential Care Outreach Team (RCOT), which includes:
- eight single rooms
- five shared rooms
- diversional therapy space
- patient lounge area
- private meeting space.
- eight single rooms
- Opening eight extra beds fast tracked at Flinders Medical Centre in an expanded transit ward to open this year.
- A new medical imaging suite and additional MRI and CT scanners.
- Redevelopment of the Margaret Tobin Centre including opening a new 12-bed Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU).
artists impression of the Margaret Tobin Centre
Repat Health Precinct expansion and upgrades
- A new 26-bed Geriatric Evaluation and Management (GEM) Unit for older people is now open at the Repat Health Precinct.
- The six-bed CARE service opened in March 2024 and is staffed by specialist geriatric, nursing and allied health staff providing alternative treatment pathways for older people when emergency care is not required.
Noarlunga Hospital upgrade
The State Government is upgrading Noarlunga Hospital, including:
- an additional 12 extra beds fast tracked at Noarlunga Hospital in the existing Myles Ward to open this year
- construction works have begun to expand Noarlunga Hospital’s inpatient capacity by more than 50% with 48 new beds scheduled for completion in late 2025, including:
- 24 medical inpatient beds
- 24 mental health rehabilitation beds.
- a new 12-chair renal dialysis unit which opened in September 2023.
We’re delivering brand new, upgraded and completely rebuilt ambulance stations and more staff to provide emergency medical care for South Australians.
New ambulance station in Edwardstown
A new ambulance station has been built next to the Repat Health Precinct, which houses the 16 additional paramedics who joined in November 2022 and 12 Emergency Support Service ambulance officers who joined in July 2024.
New ambulance station in Marion
A new ambulance station will be built in Marion with work commencing in 2025 and opening in 2026. Upgrades will commence soon to the current Marion station to better accommodate the existing 30 paramedics, as well as 16 additional paramedics who joined in November 2022.
Aldinga ambulance station upgrade
Upgrades to the Aldinga ambulance station are underway and are expected to be complete in December 2024.
Clovelly Park 24/7 Pharmacy
The State Government has supported three pharmacies across Adelaide to open their doors 24/7 to provide medication, advice and care when South Australian families most need it and help reduce pressure on hospitals.
Chemist Warehouse Clovelly Park is open 24/7.
A fourth 24/7 pharmacy, located in the Hallett Cove, Sheidow Park, and Trott Park area will be delivered following a competitive tender process.
Marion and Morphett Vale Medicare Urgent Care Clinics
Two walk-in Medicare Urgent Care Clinics are now open at the Marion Domain Medical & Dental Centre and next to Morphett Vale Family Practice.
Staffed by doctors and nurses, Medicare Urgent Care Clinics are open for extended hours and provide bulk-billed urgent care without an appointment or referral, giving South Australians more options for urgent health care.
The State Government is supporting the Federal Government and Primary Health Networks to deliver six Medicare Urgent Care Clinics across South Australia to help reduce pressure on our hospitals.
Marion Priority Care Centre
The Marion Priority Care Centre provides community-based healthcare and treatment for eligible patients with urgent but non-life-threatening conditions who would otherwise be seeking treatment at a public hospital emergency department.
By referral only, Priority Care Centres are led by general practitioners with additional support from SA Health hospital-trained nurses, providing a range of services that support care and treatment with no out-of-pocket costs for eligible patients.
Kids Mental Health Hub
In partnership with the Federal Government, Kids Mental Health Hub will open in southern Adelaide providing mental health services for children under 12 years of age from across the state.