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Mount Barker DSM Hospital Inc
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The Mount Barker DSM Hospital Inc in a 31 bed One Country Region Area Hospital providing accident and emergency response capability, in-patient and day-patient services, principally in the areas of obstetrics and gynaecology, paediatrics, general medicine, surgery and palliative care, as well as primary health care in the form of community health and domiciliary care services.
Ph : 8393 1777
Fax 8393 1700
PO Box 42
Wellington Road Mt Barker 5153
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE HOSPITAL
At a meeting of ratepayers of the District of Mount Barker, which was held on the 27th of June 1919, it was resolved that a Soldiers Memorial Hospital should be established at Mt.Barker.
The original hospital was a memorial to those members of the Australian Imperial Forces who enlisted for active service from the District of Mount Barker, or were born in the District and enlisted elsewhere and who lost their lives in such service during the “Great War” of 1914 to 1919.
The first meeting of subscribers was held on the 4th September 1919, to elect the Board of Management. Mr. Pryor chaired the early meetings.
The first Board elected was Messrs George Henry Jacobs, Ernest James Ellis, Joseph Pope, John George Thomas and John Frame. This Board was actively engaged in modifying the old home (which was on this land) into a suitable hospital. It was on the evening of the 29th of November 1919, that the first patient was admitted to the MountBarkerDistrictSoldiersMemorialHospital.
Early records show that the first report (period from 29th of November to 31st of December 1919) as number of patients admitted 16, discharged 11, leaving 5 remaining in.
In the Annual Report for the financial year ending 30th of June 1920, total number of patients treated was 84. Receipts were approximately $6,280 with an expenditure of $5,720.
The first programme of extending the hospital from the original home was opened on the 21st of July 1923 at a cost in excess of $4,000, making the patient accommodation 13 beds.
The next major building being the Maternity Wing, which was opened on the 19th April, 1952.
As the population of the District increased, so did the need for more patient accommodation, and on the 3rd of October 1964, the Surgical Wing was opened. These additions brought the bed capacity to 38 beds.
Further additions and renovations were opened on the 12th March 1972, bringing the bed capacity to 50.
In May 1986, a major building redevelopment was commenced, providing new theatre and recovery suites, casualty, maternity and administrative areas, as well as renovating ward areas and modifying existing facilities to provide a Day Surgery Suite.
The hospital was incorporated under the South Australian Health Commission Act in August 1982.
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