David Berry Hospital provides rehabilitation and specialist palliative care for people in the Shoalhaven region.
This hospital is fully accredited by the Australian Council on Healthcare Standards (ACHS).
Relocation of services to Shoalhaven Hospital
Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District has let the community know that these palliative care and rehabilitation services will be relocated to Shoalhaven Hospital, as part of its $438 million major redevelopment. These services will continue to be provided at David Berry Hospital until the completion of the redeveloped Shoalhaven Hospital in 2026.
David Berry Hospital has served the local community since it opened in 1909, however, the 115-year-old hospital’s infrastructure is outdated and not suitable for the delivery of contemporary models of care.
The relocation of services from David Berry Hospital to Shoalhaven Hospital will enable us to provide south coast patients with expanded palliative care and rehabilitation services, which will be located alongside other related health services and linked to specialist support including 24/7 medical staff coverage.
The integration of specialised services and supports on the one hospital site will provide greater continuity of care and improved delivery of services to local patients in a more contemporary health setting.
The inpatient palliative care ward has single patient rooms and ensuites, as well as family rooms and access to an outdoor courtyard. A new consultation model will also enable partnership across other medical specialties in Shoalhaven Hospital and support the delivery of palliative care in the community and Residential Aged Care facilities.
Co-locating rehabilitation services with corresponding acute services on the same hospital site improves patient experience, reduces unnecessary wait times to access sub-acute care, and reduces patient deconditioning.
General and specialist inpatient rehabilitation services will also be expanded, which will support earlier discharge and help to prevent readmissions, including a rehabilitation day hospital offering intensive multidisciplinary treatment in an outpatient setting.
Future of David Berry Hospital
Palliative care and rehabilitation services will continue to be provided at David Berry Hospital until the completion of the redeveloped Shoalhaven Hospital in 2026.
David Berry Hospital is governed by legislation dating back to 1906. A legal position to guide any future use options for the site is being determined and this will be used as the basis for community consultation about future options.
The local community will continue to be kept informed and consulted about the future of the David Berry Hospital site. Any proposed changes will involve extensive consultation with the community and other stakeholders.
History of David Berry Hospital
In his will of 1889, local agriculturalist and landowner David Berry directed his trustees to set aside the sum of £100,000, ‘for the purpose of erecting a hospital for diseases for the benefit particularly of inhabitants of Broughton Creek and the District of Shoalhaven.’
A temporary hospital was established in a cottage on the banks of Broughton Creek. In 1909 the David Berry Hospital was opened as a state health institution.
The Hospital was regarded as being different from other country hospitals as it was entirely under Government control.
