NSW Minister for Health Ryan Park says he is not convinced that creating two health districts is the correct response to the region’s health challenges. Photo: Jarryd Rowley.
NSW Minister for Health Ryan Park says he is not convinced splitting the Murrumbidgee Local Health District will be beneficial for those in western Riverina, despite hundreds of people calling for a split at a rally in Griffith last week.
The protest, held last Saturday at Memorial Park, saw western Riverina politicians, medical staff and patients call for Griffith and the surrounding areas to separate from the Murrumbidgee Local Health District (MLHD) and form its own health district, to provide what they believe would be more adequate and extensive care for the people of western Riverina.
The minister says he would rather put money into frontline services than create new bureaucracies, but Griffith-based MP Helen Dalton has fired back, questioning what was stopping him from investing in services now.
While attending the Riverina for the launch of the construction of the Temora Hospital Redevelopment, Mr Park spoke about his stance on the issue.
“I have huge respect for the Member for Murray, Helen Dalton, and the incredible work she does in a really challenging geographical electorate. It has challenges in health care, and I’ll have a look at what the inquiry puts forward, but I’m not convinced that a split is the best way of doing it,” he said.
“I want to make sure that I can deliver as much to the frontline clinical services as possible. I don’t want two corporate services. I don’t want two boards. I don’t want two finance areas. I don’t want two workforce areas.
“I want that money directed into the front line. Now that doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t be doing more. That doesn’t mean that Helen doesn’t raise legitimate concerns about people getting access. I do think they are legitimate, and I understand those. I’m not convinced the answer is splitting the district up.”
Ms Dalton hit back.
“Ryan Park will say, we want to put the money into frontline services. Well, why doesn’t he?” she said.
“Hunter and New England are also under an inquiry at the moment, and they want to split too.
“We know that the further west you go, the shorter your life expectancy. He knows that we are in crisis, so why doesn’t he put the money in? Otherwise, we’ll break away and we’ll do our own thing. We will recruit and look after our own people in the health care system, because the people in the health care system are absolutely under huge pressure.”
A big crowd attended the rally to split MLHD. Photo: Denny Fachin.
Ms Dalton has called on Mr Park to visit Griffith to understand first-hand the issues western Riverina is facing.
“He was invited to the rally, and he declined to come,” Ms Dalton said.
“I also invited Premier Minns and Jill Ludford (MLHD CEO) to come, but none of them did.
“I’ve spoken to the department (Health) about what we want, and it was voted down. We’ve managed to refer it to a committee, and it will be in Griffith next month. I have no doubt it will be inundated with submissions. ”
