Our History
Since the idea arose to build a local hospital service for North Eastern residents, the organisation has seen many changes in design, construction, leadership and services.
The formation of North Eastern Community Hospital Inc. started with a meeting of local General Practitioners in 1965. The events that followed resulted in the grant of a government subsidy that enabled the purchase of the land on which the hospital now stands.
In 1967, a building fundraising campaign was launched by the Honourable Don Dunstan to fund the building works.
NECH appointed its first three employees in 1973, a few months before our official opening by Sir Walter Crocker (then Lieutenant-Governor) on 16 September 1973.
Over our 40 year history, the health care landscape has seen many changes including the closure of several community hospitals established around the same time.
NECH experienced changes to its own independent status when the Hospital was placed under the management of Benchmark Healthcare in 2004, followed by Ramsay Health in 2005. NECH was re-established as an independent community operated institution in 2006.
Since the initial construction of the hospital building in 1973, there has been continued investment in building works including a $2.5 million extension to the hospital in 1991. A purpose built residential aged care facility was also built on the existing grounds and opened in 2001 by Governor designate Marjorie Jackson.
Our organisation has seen its fair share of adversity and challenges.
Private health membership fell to an all-time low in the 1990s, which in turn threatened many of the smaller private health facilities across the country. This led to the introduction of the Government’s 30% private health insurance rebate which continues to this day.
The Hospital Indemnity Insurance premium crisis in 2001 also saw our Maternity Unit face closure, under pressure from the general nursing shortage happening at the same time.
Despite these challenges and the ever changing landscape of healthcare in Australia, NECH continues to provide a quality service to our patients and residents. Located in one of the fastest growing areas in Adelaide, we are well positioned to deliver many more years of service to come.