The South Australian (SA) Government is establishing an A$12 m ($7.9m) satellite renal haemodialysis unit at the Playford Health Hub to increase dialysis capacity.

This initiative is part of a significant enhancement to the northern suburbs health services, which also encompasses the addition of new beds at Lyell McEwin Hospital.

With 30 chairs, the new Playford Satellite Dialysis Unit will augment the hospital’s current nine-chair renal dialysis service.

The hub will provide treatment for another 84 patients by adding 21 renal chairs to the hospital’s nine chairs, which will be relocated to the new facility.

The unit will include 26 open treatment bays, two enclosed bariatric‑sized treatment rooms, with a shared en-suite. It will have two additional enclosed rooms for treatment, a reception area and staff bases.

Set to feature a dementia‑friendly design, the facility will offer comfortable, safe and secure spaces with clear wayfinding and easy access.

Design and engineering efforts were carried out in collaboration with Cheesman Architects, Bestec and WGA.

Construction is due to commence in November, and a competitive tender process is currently underway to appoint the principal building contractor. The centre is anticipated to conclude in mid-2026.

SA Health and Wellbeing Minister Chris Picton said: “Our government is increasing the health system’s capacity to provide life-saving dialysis to patients in northern Adelaide, enabling them to access this critical treatment closer to home.

“I’m excited that this new 30-chair renal haemodialysis unit will soon be up and running, as we continue to build a bigger health system for northern Adelaide and South Australia more broadly.

“We have also delivered a total of 60 new beds to the Lyell McEwin Hospital since coming to office, with another 20 coming online by the end of the year as we continue to increase capacity in our health system, particularly for fast-growing areas like the northern suburbs.”