Murray Bridge Hospital Upgrade

Murray Bridge is recognised as a growing urban centre, yet its hospital continues to lag behind modern healthcare standards. Our community deserves better. At present, patients are too often forced to travel to Adelaide for urgent care — sometimes by helicopter — because the hospital cannot manage complex cases or surgeries locally. In 2025, this is unacceptable.

The Problem

  • Ramping in Adelaide: Emergency departments in Adelaide are under constant strain, with ambulances queued up and patients waiting for hours. Murray Bridge can and should take pressure off the metropolitan system by providing a genuine alternative for urgent care.

  • Lack of 24-Hour Doctor Coverage: At present, Murray Bridge Hospital does not guarantee a doctor on site around the clock. For a community of our size and growth, this gap in service is a major risk.

  • Overflow and Capacity: Instead of transferring patients to Adelaide when things get tough, Murray Bridge should be equipped to accept overflow from Adelaide hospitals. This would ease pressure on city hospitals while giving locals the care they need, close to home.

  • Mass Casualty Vulnerability: Right now, Murray Bridge does not have the capacity to respond to a mass casualty event. Whether it’s a major crash on the freeway, an industrial accident, or a natural disaster, our hospital simply could not take on a surge of critical patients. This leaves the entire region exposed and overly reliant on Adelaide.

The Vision

Upgrading Murray Bridge Hospital is about more than bricks and mortar — it’s about dignity, safety, and fairness. With upgraded facilities, 24-hour medical coverage, and the ability to perform surgeries locally, Murray Bridge can become a regional healthcare hub. This means:

  • Treating more major cases locally.

  • Reducing travel and delays for urgent care.

  • Supporting the Adelaide system by absorbing overflow.

  • Ensuring we have the capacity to respond to mass casualty events.

  • Providing a modern, reliable healthcare service that meets the needs of a rapidly growing region.

The Goal

This upgrade is a commitment to putting the health of Murray Bridge residents first. Healthcare should not stop at the city limits. If Murray Bridge is to be recognised as a true urban centre, its hospital must be capable of meeting the same standards expected anywhere else in South Australia.