Millicent Hospital will probably need an extra $100,000 worth of equipment to maintain its operating theatres.
This was revealed by Millicent Health Advisory Council chairman Dr Kevin McGrath at a public meeting at the hospital this afternoon.
The six-figure expenditure is impending as higher nationwide standards for theatre sterilisation will be coming into play.
The Limestone Coast Local Health Network board was informed of the higher standards in mid-2023 but no budget allowance for Millicent had been made at that time.
Dr McGrath was part of a 55-strong public gallery which provided feedback to two independent consultants from Destravis Pty Ltd.
Lasting 90 minutes, the open forum was the seventh and last of the feedback sessions across the region this week by Anthony Colwell and Kay Toshach.
They have been commissioned by the LCLHN to source community opinions on what should be provided in the region’s Clinical Services Plan.
Speakers praised the Millicent Hospital and Sheoak Lodge staff but outlined shortcomings with respect to the unavailability of some services.
There were calls for the return of specialists, Medical Clinic Millicent doctors and chemotherapy to Millicent along with the provision of renal dialysis.
Staffing shortages were frequently mentioned with decorated ex-police officer Steve Chapple claiming he witnessed nurses becoming distraught over excessive workloads.
Boneham Aged Care Services chief executive Michael Filsell said nationwide staffing rules imposed on the aged care sector meant these nurses were now receiving higher pay rates.
“This is putting pressure on the acute sector,” Mr Filsell said.
Former Wattle Range Council Mayor Mark Braes queried the timeline for the adopting of the new Clinical Services Plan and the roles of the LCLHN regional board and Health Minister Chris Picton.
Current Mayor Des Noll called for greater powers for Health Advisory Councils and an increase in the Millicent Hospital budget for maintenance and other purposes.
“The local manager should have a greater say,” Mayor Noll said.
Mr Colwell and Ms Toshach will now work on a draft Clinical Services Plan and then return to Millicent and the six other hospitals in May for further feedback.