Chairperson of the newly formed Whyalla Hospital and Health Services Advisory, Dan Wakeling, said all the board members would continue to serve in the advisory for continuity.

He said the advisory would work closely with the government to push for facilities for the hospital to serve Whyalla and the surrounding areas.

Mr Wakeling said community consultation would start soon to gather information on what could be made the priority list of things to do for the hospital.

He said the initial meetings of the advisory involved studying their new role and understanding the constitution to facilitate the requirements of the advisory.

“We are currently trying to find our feet with the change over and exploring what is required of the advisory and the best possible ways of working for the community with the government,” Mr Wakeling said.

“With the $15 million allocation we have to make sure that the funding is used at the right place and to do that we will carry out a feasibility study and have community consultations which we intend to start soon.

“The board members who are now members of the advisory has a good mix of hospital staff and people from the community who have been serving diligently and have health services in their heart.

“Our main focus as far as the budget is concerned is to have some major improvements in the hospital services in the next two years to prepare Whyalla Hospital as the hub for the surrounding areas and the region.

“We intend to re-visit our theatre facilities, look into the respiratory unit and have dialysis facilities in time.

“Concerns related to these areas have been raised over the years and we are optimistic that with the support of the government and the new restructure in place we will have improved facilities and better services so that less people have to travel to Adelaide for treatment.

“Although the advisory is required to meet quarterly we have agreed to meet more regularly so that things can start moving and we can get the community involved as soon as possible.

“The board has been in operation for the past 66 years and has had more than 700 meetings.

“It has made a valuable contribution over the decades and the former board members who are now serving in the advisory are determined and committed towards our responsibility.”

The Whyalla Hospital and Health Services comprises of 82 staffed beds (including two hospice units) and a 20 bed day surgery unit.

With integrated community, mental health, domiciliary care, palliative care and allied health teams (including physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech pathology) located on site and off site.

There has been a designated mental health unit established and comprises two purpose built units located in the medical assessment and rehabilitation ward.

Additional wards include accident and emergency, surgical, theatre, women’s and children’s and high dependency unit.