Toilets and bathrooms at Millicent and District Hospital are inadequate and in need of upgrading according to one-time patient Laurie Dacy.

The Glencoe resident said the cramped facilities added to his discomfort during his surgery-related stay a few years ago.

It is his opinion that a public fundraising appeal be launched with a target of $100,000.

To this end, Mr Dacy was elected to the Millicent Health Advisory Council a year ago.

Since then, his fellow Millicent HAC members have given their in-principle support to the appeal.

Mr Dacy has been lobbying local community groups and media organisations to garner support for the cause.

His efforts over the past year have been hampered by COVID-related disruptions.

Some of the toilets and bathrooms are much the same as when Millicent Hospital opened in 1964.

With the consent of staff, Mr Dacy has circulated photographs of the dated facilities.

Mr Dacy referred to the need for upgraded facilities at the recent annual general meeting of the Millicent HAC.

Presiding member Brenton Dohnt also referred to “bricks and mortar” matters in his annual report.

He said the Millicent HAC was proud of the achievements made over the last year.

“It looks forward to working with the Limestone Coast Local Health Network Board over the next 12 months to further improve the facilities and services for the Millicent community,” Mr Dohnt said.

“Our current project under way at the Sheoak Lodge aged care facility is to refurbish and upgrade the central activity room to a contemporary space for residents to enjoy, and to provide an environment for family gatherings and special events.

“Once completed the upgrade will include a new fully functional kitchen, flooring, lighting, window furnishings, entertainment system and furniture.

“This has been achieved by a donation to Sheoak Lodge by a [late] resident, with the room to be named in his honour.

“Members of the HAC had a walk through the nurses accommodation to see what was needed to bring the standard up and what the HAC could give in support of this.

“There have been donations from the community in support of this project.

“There is work in progress to upgrade the Acute Family Room (the old Palliative Care Room) due to building issues and the need to update the room to a more comfortable environment.

“This is also being achieved through donations to the HAC.”

Mr Dohnt said the Millicent HAC has discussed the possibility of a Prostate Fundraising Night with the Millicent and Surrounds Health Support Group to highlight prostate cancer as a key health issue.

He said this will hopefully include the visiting urologist, general surgeons, Prostate Australia and the local prostate nurse.