The Gawler Health Service will likely be redeveloped as a result of Gawler’s expected population surge, says Inner North Country Health Service director Erik Moen.
As reported in the Herald last week, the state government has approved the rezoning of about 400 hectares of land in Gawler East, paving the way for about 3900 houses to be built in the area.
Mr Moen said in response to the anticipated population increase, big changes are expected to occur at the Gawler hospital in the coming years.
“I think it will be inevitable that over the next five to 10 years you’ll see some expansion of the actual facility in Gawler,” Mr Moen said.
“I can’t see any other way we’re going to deliver the services without that.
“There are already issues like car parking but that can be solved by developing appropriate facilities and it might be we need to build up rather than (out).”
Mr Moen said the hospital is planning for the future – one which will probably see services at the Gawler and Lyell McEwin Hospitals further complement each other.
“I think one of the big challenges we’re going to face in the next probably 10 years in Gawler is how we actually match health services to meet the demands of a growing population,” he said.
“Part of it will be about growing relationships between Gawler and Lyell McEwin (Hospitals) in terms of health services and the close proximity of the two.
“We don’t necessarily want to be duplicating but by working together we might be able to provide a better range of services for the whole catchment area.”
Meanwhile the residential influx will mean a further strain on local health services – an issue that needs to be urgently addressed, according to Adelaide Northern Division of General Practice chair Simon Hall.
Dr Hall, a Gawler general practitioner, said the ongoing issue of doctor shortages in the region will be exacerbated by the projected residential housing boom.
“There is no doubt that the doubling of the population of Gawler over the next 10 years is going to have a very significant impact on all health services in Gawler,” he said.
“Currently the local GP surgeries are near capacity - Many GPs in Gawler have closed their books to new patients.
“Naturally the local GPs are concerned that there does not seem to be any specific health planning associated with the new urban boundaries and anticipated population growth.”
Dr Hall said recruiting new doctors to the region is constant battle, and at present, “there is no current capacity to address the health issues of any new patients to the area.”
Dr Hall said the problem needs to be overcome otherwise patients will “begin to miss out on services and will ultimately be penalized for moving to this area.”
“I would like to see some formal health planning, including infrastructure as well as services, to cater for the population increases and a commitment to funding the same,” he said.
Requests for comment from health minister John Hill were referred to Country Health SA.
Country Health SA acting chief executive Helen Chalmers said the organization will continue to work with local doctors to help recruit her GPs to the area.
“GP services are not provided by Country Health SA, but we recognise the need to have enough GPs to facilitate community health and wellbeing, and Gawler Health Service will continue to work with local GPs to help them with recruitment,” she said.
A spokesperson for urban development and planning minister Paul Holloway said the Gawler East and Gawler Racecourse development plan amendments, which rezone the areas, also include capacity to accommodate new doctors to the area.
“In terms of planning, the ministerial development plan amendments for Gawler East and the Gawler Racecourse provide for neighbourhood zones, which have the potential to be fitted out with shop front surgeries often used by GPs,” he said.
“So there would be new capacity within these areas south and east of the main town centre to support new GPs seeking to locate to Gawler to service the growing residential population.”
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